Principal SQL Server DBA Architect

Location: India (Hybrid / Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune or Remote within India) (8+ years of hands-on experience required) Job Summary We are looking for a Principal SQL Server DBA Architect to own the strategy, architecture, and operational excellence of our enterprise SQL Server estate across India and global operations. This senior technical leadership role combines deep database administration expertise with strategic architectural vision and people leadership. You will design scalable, highly available, secure, and cloud-native database solutions, drive cloud-first modernization initiatives, establish enterprise standards, lead and mentor a team of DBAs, and act as the technical escalation point in a 24×7 production environment. Key Responsibilities Architecture & Cloud Strategy

Lead the design and implementation of scalable, high-performance SQL Server solutions (on-premises, hybrid, and Azure cloud-native) that support business-critical applications. Architect and execute cloud migration strategies to Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure VMs, including lift-and-shift, re-platforming, and modernization. Design high-availability and disaster-recovery solutions using Always On Availability Groups (multi-subnet), Failover Clustering, and Azure-native HA/DR features (Auto-failover Groups, Geo-Replication, etc.).

Leadership & Team Management

Directly lead, mentor, and develop a team of 6–12 SQL Server DBAs (senior and mid-level) — including performance reviews, career development, skill-gap analysis, and succession planning. Conduct architecture and design reviews, enforce standards, and foster a culture of technical excellence and knowledge sharing. Provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams (application, DevOps, infrastructure, and business stakeholders).

Performance, Operations & Automation

Own enterprise-wide performance tuning, capacity planning, and cost optimization (on-prem + Azure). Build and maintain automation frameworks using PowerShell, dbatools, Azure Automation, and ARM/Bicep/Terraform. Lead large-scale upgrades (2016/2019 → 2022/2025), consolidations, and Azure migrations.

Security, Governance & Compliance

Define and enforce security standards (TDE, Always Encrypted, Azure AD authentication, Purview, Defender for SQL). Ensure compliance with GDPR, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and Indian data localization requirements.

Additional Duties

Participate in India-based on-call rotation (with global follow-the-sun support). Collaborate with global architecture and engineering teams.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Total Experience: 8+ years of progressive, hands-on SQL Server DBA and architecture experience in large-scale, 24×7 environments. Leadership Experience: Minimum 3 years leading and managing a team of DBAs (performance management, mentoring, and technical leadership). Cloud Experience: Strong hands-on experience (minimum 3–4 years) designing, migrating, and operating SQL Server workloads in Microsoft Azure (Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance, Azure VMs, hybrid connectivity, cost optimization, and Azure governance).

Technical Expertise

Deep mastery of SQL Server 2016–2025 (Always On, Query Store, Intelligent Query Processing, security features). Expert T-SQL, indexing, query tuning, wait-stats analysis, and troubleshooting. Proficiency in PowerShell, dbatools, and Azure DevOps/Infrastructure-as-Code. Solid understanding of Windows/Linux, storage, virtualization, and networking in both on-prem and Azure environments. Experience with SSIS/SSRS/SSAS and modern data platforms.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science / Similar experience

Soft Skills

Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to work in a fast-paced, global environment (IST + global time zones). Proactive, self-driven, and passionate about database reliability and cloud modernization.

Preferred Qualifications

Microsoft certifications: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or MCSE: Data Management & Analytics. Experience with DevOps practices (Git, CI/CD for databases, Terraform, Azure DevOps). Exposure to other databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) or big-data platforms is a plus.

What We Offer (India-specific)

Competitive salary + performance bonus + ESOPs Comprehensive benefits (health insurance, gratuity, PF, leave encashment) Hybrid work model with flexible hours Annual professional development budget (certifications, conferences) Opportunity to work on large-scale cloud transformation projects

This is a high-visibility, strategic leadership role for a seasoned SQL Server expert who is ready to combine deep technical architecture skills with people leadership in a cloud-first environment in India.