The Sr SQL DBA position is a critical role responsible for managing and maintaining SQL Server databases across various environments, including development, testing, and production. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience in database administration, with a strong focus on SQL Server. This role involves performing database installations, configurations, upgrades, and patching, ensuring that the databases are secure, efficient, and reliable. The Sr SQL DBA will implement and manage database backups, restores, and disaster recovery strategies to safeguard data integrity and availability. In addition to database administration, the role requires a strong emphasis on security management. The Sr SQL DBA will ensure database security by implementing and maintaining user roles, permissions, and encryption. Regular audits of database security will be conducted to ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards. The candidate will also be responsible for responding to and managing database security incidents, ensuring that any vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. Performance tuning and optimization are key responsibilities of this role. The Sr SQL DBA will analyze and optimize database performance using various tools and techniques, including indexing, query optimization, and storage management. Collaboration with developers is essential to optimize application performance, which includes writing and optimizing queries. The candidate will also design and implement high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) strategies, including clustering, replication, and log shipping. Regular testing and documentation of these strategies will be required to ensure business continuity. Furthermore, the Sr SQL DBA will provide strategic direction for database architecture, including schema design, data modeling, and normalization, while evaluating and recommending new database technologies and tools. Automation and scripting are also integral to this role. The Sr SQL DBA will develop and maintain automation scripts for routine database tasks, utilizing scripting languages such as PowerShell or Python for automation and task management. This position is a contract role for 12 months, located in McLean, VA, and is open to H1B and USC visa holders.