Job Title
SQL Server DBA (with PostgreSQL knowledge)
Description
We are seeking an experienced SQL Server DBA with PostgreSQL knowledge to join a Durban-based team on a 12-month contract (work from office). This role requires immediate joiners only. The successful candidate will design, implement and maintain enterprise-scale database services, focusing on high availability, disaster recovery, performance, automation and security. Subcontractor rate: R450–R500/hr. Duration: 12 months with possible renewal.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement and maintain high availability and disaster recovery solutions including clustering, availability groups and replication frameworks.
- Develop and manage complex data movement and replication architectures across large database estates.
- Monitor database environments and proactively resolve performance, stability and reliability issues.
- Perform advanced performance tuning and query optimisation using execution plans, wait statistics and profiling tools.
- Investigate incidents, perform root cause analysis and implement effective remediation strategies.
- Drive database automation initiatives using scripting and self-service tooling to improve operational efficiency.
- Support infrastructure modernisation projects, including cloud adoption and optimisation initiatives.
- Ensure database security, compliance and governance through controls such as encryption, auditing and access management.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks and operational standards.
- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior database administrators.
- Participate in critical incident response and provide after-hours support when required.
Qualifications
- 6+ years of progressive experience in database administration within enterprise environments.
- A relevant degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or a related discipline.
- Strong expertise in SQL Server and experience with PostgreSQL or similar relational database systems.
- Proven experience with high availability, disaster recovery and replication technologies.
- Advanced skills in database performance tuning and query optimisation.
- Experience with automation and scripting using PowerShell, Bash, or Python.
- Familiarity with technologies such as ClickHouse, FoundationDB and observability stacks (Loki, Grafana, Tempo, Mimir).
- Solid understanding of security, compliance and data governance practices.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage critical incidents independently.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work across technical and business stakeholders.
Skills
The following skills are required or highly desirable for this role. Immediate availability is essential.
- SQL Server
- PostgreSQL
- High Availability
- Disaster Recovery
- Clustering
- Availability Groups
- Replication
- Data Movement
- Performance Tuning
- Query Optimization
- Execution Plans
- Wait Statistics
- Profiling Tools
- Automation
- Scripting
- PowerShell
- Bash
- Python
- ClickHouse
- FoundationDB
- Loki
- Grafana
- Tempo
- Mimir
- Rybbit
- Valkey
- Cloud Platforms
- Monitoring and Observability
- Security
- Compliance
- Data Governance
- Encryption
- Auditing
- Access Management
- Incident Response
- Root Cause Analysis
- Runbooks
- Technical Documentation
- Mentorship
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Infrastructure Modernization