Position Overview
Our client is seeking an experienced Senior SQL Database Administrator to support and maintain enterprise database platforms that power critical business operations. This position is based in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and plays a key role in maintaining highly available, secure, and optimized Microsoft SQL Server environments. The successful candidate will also provide foundational SAP Basis support and work closely with infrastructure, application, and business teams to ensure stable and reliable enterprise systems.
The ideal individual is a hands-on database professional with extensive SQL Server administration experience, a strong background in high availability technologies, and the ability to proactively monitor, troubleshoot, and improve database performance across multiple environments.
Primary Responsibilities
- Manage the administration, configuration, and ongoing support of Microsoft SQL Server environments across development, testing, and production.
- Maintain high availability solutions, including SQL Server failover clustering and Always On Availability Groups.
- Plan and execute database upgrades, patching activities, migrations, and maintenance while minimizing business disruption.
- Monitor database health, capacity, and performance, identifying opportunities for optimization and resolving issues before they impact operations.
- Develop, maintain, and validate backup, recovery, and disaster recovery processes.
- Partner with infrastructure, cybersecurity, and application support teams to maintain secure, compliant, and reliable database platforms.
- Provide day-to-day SAP Basis support, including routine system administration and coordination with SAP technical and functional resources.
- Review system logs, analyze ABAP dumps, monitor scheduled background jobs, and assist with SAP performance monitoring.
- Support troubleshooting efforts for SAP technical issues and perform routine system health assessments.
- Create scripts and automation to streamline administrative tasks and improve operational efficiency.
- Maintain technical documentation, operational procedures, and support documentation.
- Participate in an on-call support rotation and respond to production issues outside of normal business hours when required.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor''s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Seven or more years of enterprise-level experience administering Microsoft SQL Server.
- Demonstrated success performing SQL Server version upgrades, maintenance, and platform migrations.
- Extensive experience implementing and supporting SQL Server clustering and Always On Availability Groups.
- Strong knowledge of database optimization techniques, including indexing strategies, query tuning, and performance analysis.
- Experience administering Windows Server environments and working with Active Directory.
- Solid understanding of database security, encryption, and industry best practices for protecting enterprise data.
- Experience planning and executing database patching and maintenance activities in production environments.
- Working knowledge of SAP Basis administration, including system monitoring, batch processing, ABAP dump review, and basic system performance analysis.
- Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with one or more of the following qualifications are especially encouraged to apply:
- Experience developing administrative automation using PowerShell or similar scripting tools.
- Exposure to Azure SQL or other cloud-hosted database platforms.
- Understanding of IT service management practices, including ITIL and structured change management processes.
- Experience supporting SAP Security or related SAP technical administration functions.