Senior Database Administrator
Supportwave
Date: 2 days ago
City: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Contract type: Full time
Remote
Senior Database Administrator (Level 2)
About The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator (Level 2) to join a high-performing global data operations team. This remote role, based in South Africa, requires an autonomous, technically advanced DBA to manage critical database systems during overnight hours.
You will be responsible for advanced performance tuning, high-availability solutions, automation of operational tasks, and system migrations. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in high-responsibility environments and brings deep technical insight into SQL Server environments, performance engineering, and operational resilience.
Key Responsibilities
About The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator (Level 2) to join a high-performing global data operations team. This remote role, based in South Africa, requires an autonomous, technically advanced DBA to manage critical database systems during overnight hours.
You will be responsible for advanced performance tuning, high-availability solutions, automation of operational tasks, and system migrations. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in high-responsibility environments and brings deep technical insight into SQL Server environments, performance engineering, and operational resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead advanced query tuning, index optimization, and performance profiling to ensure top-tier system efficiency.
- Design and implement high-availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) solutions.
- Automate routine DBA tasks and operational processes using PowerShell, Bash, SQL Agent Jobs, or similar tools.
- Collaborate with development teams to optimize T-SQL stored procedures, triggers, and functions.
- Proactively identify and resolve critical system issues with minimal supervision.
- Execute and coordinate database migrations, version upgrades, and patching schedules.
- Maintain system health through proactive monitoring, alerting, and maintenance planning.
- Develop internal documentation including runbooks, recovery plans, and troubleshooting playbooks.
- Support capacity planning and ensure scalability of data storage and query design.
- Perform security audits, manage access controls, and ensure compliance with internal policies.
- 5+ years of experience in SQL Server database administration.
- Expert-level proficiency in T-SQL, with a focus on complex queries and procedural logic.
- Demonstrated experience in automating DBA tasks using PowerShell or equivalent.
- Deep knowledge of performance tuning, index optimization, and query execution plans.
- Strong background in HA/DR implementation (e.g., Always On, replication, mirroring, clustering).
- Proven track record with database upgrades, migrations, and patching in production environments.
- Exposure to cloud or hybrid database platforms (e.g., Azure SQL, AWS RDS).
- Understanding of data modeling, indexing strategies, and normalization techniques.
- Familiarity with regulatory standards (GDPR, HIPAA) and audit logging.
- Experience with encryption protocols, database firewalling, and access control.
- Autonomous operator who can confidently manage systems during overnight shifts.
- Strong problem-solving mindset, capable of diagnosing and resolving complex incidents.
- Proactive and process-oriented, with a focus on long-term stability and scalability.
- Strong collaborator and mentor, able to support junior DBAs when needed.
- Comfortable in fast-paced, globally distributed teams.
See more jobs in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal