Job Description

Job Title: Senior SQL Server Database Administrator – Performance Tuning Specialist

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Schedule: 37.5-hour work week, 9–3 core hours, occasional on-call rotation

Type: Contract to hire

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior SQL Server DBA with deep expertise in performance tuning, query optimization, and troubleshooting. This is a demanding and high-impact role within a large enterprise environment where database performance and reliability are mission-critical. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience as a SQL Server DBA and the ability to lead tuning efforts, re-write SQL queries, resolve blocking/memory issues, and mentor other team members.

This role offers the opportunity to work across SQL Server, MySQL, Azure, BigQuery, and PostgreSQL, with the flexibility to expand skills into other platforms. Candidates with both development and DBA backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the performance tuning expert across enterprise SQL Server environments.
• Analyze and optimize SQL queries, indexes, and database configurations to improve application responsiveness.
• Troubleshoot performance issues including blocking, deadlocks, and memory utilization.
• Provide guidance and hands-on support to development teams for performance tuning and query re-writes.
• Monitor and analyze database performance using tools such as Idera, Query Store, Profiler, or other comparable solutions.
• Develop and maintain documentation, best practices, and training materials to upskill other DBAs and developers.
• Support production environments, ensuring availability, scalability, and reliability of mission-critical databases.
• Participate in on-call rotation for production support.
• Automate administrative tasks through scripting languages (Python, PowerShell, etc.) or third-party tools.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, application development, and offshore DBA teams (10+ DBAs globally).
• Contribute to capacity planning, system upgrades, and future-proofing of database environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of experience as a SQL Server DBA in large-scale enterprise environments.
• Proven expertise in SQL performance tuning, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of database architecture, indexing strategies, query execution plans, and transaction processing.
• Hands-on experience with Idera Performance tools (or similar).
• Experience with installation, upgrades, backup/recovery, and high availability (Always On, clustering, etc.).
• Ability to lead and mentor other DBAs in performance tuning techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Exposure to MySQL, PostgreSQL, Azure SQL, and BigQuery.
• Experience with automation via Python, PowerShell, or similar scripting tools.
• Microsoft Certified Database Administrator or other industry certifications.
• Background in development and DBA roles, offering a hybrid perspective.
• Experience in high-transaction industries (e.g., finance, ecommerce, telecom).

Why Join?

• Opportunity to step into a leadership path as the team transitions.
• Be the go-to performance tuning expert in a high-profile enterprise environment.
• Work with modern technologies across SQL Server, cloud platforms, and big data tools.
• Collaborate with a strong DBA team, including offshore resources supporting global operations.

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