Key Responsibilities
SQL Server Security & Vulnerability Management
- Perform CVE impact assessments for Microsoft SQL Server environments.
- Review Microsoft Security Advisories, SQL Server Cumulative Updates (CU), General Distribution Releases (GDR), and security bulletins.
- Assess security vulnerabilities and determine operational impact.
- Develop remediation plans and patch deployment strategies.
- Track vulnerability remediation and security compliance status.
SQL Server Patch Management
- Plan, schedule, and coordinate SQL Server patching activities across SIT, UAT, DR, and Production environments.
- Deploy SQL Server Cumulative Updates (CU), Service Packs, GDRs, and security patches.
- Perform pre-patch and post-patch health checks and validations.
- Develop rollback and recovery procedures for patch deployments.
- Ensure minimal downtime and adherence to maintenance windows.
BigFix Fixlet Development & Testing
- Develop and maintain BigFix Fixlets for SQL Server releases and security patches.
- Perform Fixlet testing and validation in SIT environments.
- Troubleshoot and resolve Fixlet deployment issues.
- Promote validated Fixlets to UAT and Production environments in accordance with change management procedures.
SQL Server Database Administration
- Install, configure, administer, and maintain SQL Server environments.
- Manage SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances (FCI), Replication, and Log Shipping.
- Monitor database performance, availability, and capacity.
- Perform backup, recovery, and disaster recovery testing.
- Support database refresh, migration, upgrade, and consolidation activities.
- Investigate and resolve database incidents and performance bottlenecks.
Reporting & Compliance
- Prepare SLA, performance, and availability reports.
- Generate patch compliance and vulnerability remediation reports.
- Maintain security, audit, and operational documentation.
- Support compliance and audit requirements.
Change & Release Management
- Participate in Change Advisory Board (CAB) reviews and implementation planning.
- Coordinate with Infrastructure, Security, Application, and Platform teams during maintenance activities.
- Ensure all patch deployments comply with organizational change management processes.
- Develop and maintain operational runbooks and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience as a Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator.
- Strong hands-on experience with:
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016/2019/2022
- SQL Server Always On Availability Groups
- Failover Cluster Instances (FCI)
- SQL Server Replication
- SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
- Experience applying SQL Server Cumulative Updates (CU), GDRs, and security patches.
- Knowledge of SQL Server security hardening and vulnerability management.
- Experience with BigFix administration and Fixlet deployment.
- Familiarity with ITIL Change, Incident, and Problem Management processes.
- Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and performance tuning skills.
Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of Windows Server Administration and Failover Clustering.
- PowerShell scripting and automation.
- Experience supporting mission-critical and high-availability database environments.