Role Overview:

We are looking for an Expert SQL Database Administrator with strong ownership of enterprise-grade database platforms, capable of architecting, securing, optimizing, and supporting mission-critical database environments. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on expertise, strong troubleshooting ability, and a proactive mindset toward performance, availability, and data protection.

This role requires close collaboration with application, cloud, infrastructure, and security teams, along with the ability to guide junior DBAs and influence database best practices across the organization.

Core Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Database Administration & Architecture

Design, install, configure, upgrade, and maintain enterprise database platforms across production, staging, and development environments.
Architect and manage database instances, schemas, objects, tablespaces, indexes, and users based on performance and scalability requirements.
Own database lifecycle management including capacity planning, growth forecasting, and storage optimization.
Ensure seamless and secure database connectivity with applications and middleware layers.
Perform vendor patching, cumulative updates, and version upgrades with minimal downtime and risk mitigation.

2. Performance Engineering & Optimization

Proactively monitor database health, workload patterns, and system bottlenecks.
Perform advanced query tuning, index optimization, and execution plan analysis.
Diagnose and resolve complex performance issues involving locks, waits, I/O, memory, and CPU contention.
Partner with application teams to influence database-aware application design and SQL best practices.
Establish baseline performance metrics and capacity thresholds.

3. Backup, Recovery, High Availability & DR

Design and implement robust backup and recovery strategies aligned with RPO/RTO requirements.
Architect and manage high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) solutions (clustering, replication, failover).
Conduct regular DR drills, restore validations, and failover testing to ensure operational readiness.
Act as the primary escalation point during database outages or data loss incidents.

4. Security, Compliance & Risk Management

Implement database security frameworks including encryption, auditing, and data protection controls.
Manage role-based access control (RBAC), least-privilege access, and privileged account governance.
Ensure compliance with organizational, regulatory, and audit requirements.
Collaborate with security teams on vulnerability remediation and secure configuration baselines.
Support compliance initiatives such as SOX, ISO, GDPR, HIPAA, or similar (where applicable).

5. Operations, Support & Technical Leadership

Provide Level 2/Level 3 production support for database-related incidents and problems.
Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and implement preventive measures.
Create and maintain detailed documentation, SOPs, and runbooks.
Mentor junior DBAs and act as a technical advisor to engineering teams.
Drive standardization, automation, and continuous improvement of database operations.

Mandatory Technical Expertise

8+ years of hands-on experience as a Database Administrator in enterprise environments.
Deep expertise in one or more of the following:
Microsoft SQL Server
MySQL / MariaDB
PostgreSQL
Strong knowledge of:
Database internals and architecture
Performance tuning and troubleshooting
Backup, restore, HA, and DR strategies
Solid experience working in Linux/Unix and/or Windows-based environments.

Preferred / Value-Add Skills

Experience managing cloud-based databases:
Azure SQL Database / Managed Instance
Automation and scripting using:
Shell, PowerShell, Python, or similar
Exposure to DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code.
Experience supporting large-scale, high-transaction, or 24x7 production environments.
Prior involvement in database migrations, consolidations, or cloud transformations.

Behavioral & Professional Attributes

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ownership mindset with high accountability.
Ability to work under pressure in production-critical scenarios.
Excellent communication skills for cross-team collaboration.
Continuous learner with a passion for database excellence.

Making a difference and driving positive change is what we do every day at Rapid Circle. Our Cloud Pioneers help our clients in their digital transformation. Are you someone who goes for constant, positive change Then this vacancy is for you!

As a Cloud Pioneer at Rapid Circle, you will work with our customers on different projects. For example, making impact in the healthcare sector, by making research data safely available. But also, awesome projects in the manufacturing or energy market make this job very challenging.

At Rapid Circle we are curious and are constantly improving our expertise to help customers find their way in a rapidly changing world. We share our knowledge and discover new ways to learn.

Rapid Circle is growing rapidly and are therefore looking for the right person for the role. You will be given lots of freedom to develop personally. We also have a lot of in-house knowledge (MVPs) within the Netherlands, Australia, and India. By working closely with your (international) colleagues, you can continue to challenge yourself and create your own growth path. Freedom, entrepreneurship, and development are key at Rapid Circle, so also in the role of a Senior SQL Database Administrator.

Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator