SQL Server Database Administrator

Location: Quantico, VA, US

Schedule: Full‑Time, Day shift; Travel up to 10% of the time; Potential for remote work.

Description

Make a difference for national security by joining a team of dedicated IT professionals who will sustain, modernize, and transform the enterprise IT capabilities for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). The Air Force, Space & Intel Business Group (AFSI) of SAIC is seeking an SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) to support a transformational infrastructure program for DCSA.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server instances across development, testing, and production environments.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks such as backups, index maintenance, monitoring, and performance tuning.
• Monitor database system health to ensure high availability and low downtime.
• Analyze database performance and implement tuning recommendations, including query optimization and index management.
• Identify resource bottlenecks and optimize server and query performance for efficient processing.
• Proactively plan for future database needs based on application usage and growth trends; monitor storage and design strategies to optimize space utilization and scalability.
• Implement and maintain database security policies, including role‑based access control, audit trails, and encryption; ensure compliance with data‑privacy standards and corporate security policies.
• Develop and implement backup, restoration, and recovery plans; perform regular disaster‑recovery testing.
• Configure and manage high‑availability solutions such as clustering, Always On Availability Groups, or replication.
• Collaborate with application developers to design and optimize database structures for new and existing systems.
• Work with IT administrators on server resources (CPU, memory, storage) required to support database operations.
• Create and maintain scripts to automate repetitive tasks such as backups, deployments, and monitoring.
• Develop and maintain detailed documentation of database configurations, standard operating procedures, and maintenance schedules; generate reports on key performance metrics and trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or four additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree).
• Nine (9) or more years of overall experience.
• Three (3) or more years of experience working as a SQL Server Database Administrator in a production environment.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• IAT‑II certification (e.g., Security + CE).
• Proficiency with Microsoft SQL Server (versions 2019, 2022, or Azure SQL).
• Strong knowledge of SQL for querying, scripting, and debugging.
• Experience with database backup, recovery, performance tuning, and high‑availability technologies.
• Familiarity with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Profiler, and monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds DPA, Redgate).
• Understanding of operating systems (Windows Server/Linux) and hardware compatibility with SQL Server.
• Experience with cloud‑based database solutions (e.g., Azure SQL Database, AWS RDS) – a plus.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with SQL Server Always On Availability Groups and Failover Cluster Instances – a plus.
• Experience with additional tools (e.g., SSRS, SSAS, Power BI, Tableau) – a plus.
• Knowledge of ITIL processes and incident‑management practices – beneficial.

Pay

Target salary range: $120,001 – $160,000 (typical range based on experience and other factors).