This role will be responsible for managing, optimizing, and re-architecting the current on-premises database environment. As a key technical enabler of the organization's cloud strategy, the Senior Database Administrator will first stabilize and remediate the existing database infrastructure, then design and execute a safe, phased migration to AWS.
This position bridges the gap between the current aging, monolithic on-premises database environment running on on-prem infrastructure and a future-state scalable, cost-efficient, cloud-native database platform.
- Manage and support enterprise-scale Microsoft SQL Server environments, including databases in the 10+ terabyte range across development, QA, and production.
- Lead and participate in SQL Server upgrades, version migrations, patching, and maintenance efforts with minimal disruption to business-critical applications.
- Design, implement, and maintain high-availability and disaster recovery solutions, particularly Always On Availability Groups.
- Monitor and optimize database performance, availability, and reliability, including tuning queries, indexes, and stored procedures.
- Perform and validate database backup, recovery, and maintenance activities to ensure data integrity and operational continuity.
- Advanced SQL Server administration options (trace flags, DB options, and query hints).
- Develop automation using PowerShell, T-SQL, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code.
- Support enterprise monitoring, alerting, and observability solutions tailored to SQL Server health, availability, and performance metrics.
- Establish operational standards, runbooks, and incident response procedures.
- Expertise in SQL Server replication across multiple databases; troubleshoot replication latency, distribution bottlenecks, and data consistency issues.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex database issues related to performance, connectivity, storage, security, and application integration.
- Contribute to the planning and execution of database migration and cloud transformation initiatives, with a focus on migrating to AWS (RDS for SQL Server, EC2-hosted SQL Server).
- Implement database security best practices, including user access management, encryption, auditing, and compliance controls.
- Create and maintain automation scripts, monitoring solutions, operational procedures, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with software engineering, DevOps, infrastructure, product, and security teams to support business-critical applications and modernization efforts.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 4 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 2 years' experience; a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience; or 8 years' experience in a related field.
- Requires 2+ years of AWS database migration experience.
- Requires 5+ years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server database platform in the 10+ terabyte range.
- Strong hands-on experience with SQL Server replication, including troubleshooting latency and consistency issues.
- Demonstrated experience with SQL Server upgrades, migrations, and patching across multiple environments.
- Solid understanding of Windows Server administration as it relates to SQL Server hosting and configuration.
- Proven experience with SQL Server clustering and high-availability solutions (e.g., failover clustering).
Preferred Qualification
- Nice to have in Atlas MongoDB and PostgreSQL.
USD 121,800.00 - 203,000.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $121,800.00 - $203,000.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
EOE, including disability/vets
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline (or equivalent combination of education and experience per posting)
- 2+ years of AWS database migration experience
- 5+ years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server in 10+ terabyte environments
- Strong hands-on experience with SQL Server replication, including troubleshooting latency and consistency issues
- Experience with SQL Server upgrades, version migrations, patching, and maintenance across environments
- Design and implement high-availability and disaster recovery solutions (Always On Availability Groups)
- Proven experience with SQL Server clustering and failover clustering solutions
- Solid understanding of Windows Server administration as it relates to SQL Server hosting and configuration
- Perform and validate database backup, recovery, and maintenance to ensure data integrity and continuity
- Monitor and optimize database performance, including query, index, and stored procedure tuning
- Develop automation using PowerShell, T-SQL, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code
- Support enterprise monitoring, alerting, and observability solutions for SQL Server health and performance
- Troubleshoot complex database issues related to performance, connectivity, storage, security, and application integration
- Experience contributing to database migration and cloud transformation initiatives (RDS for SQL Server, EC2-hosted SQL Server)
- Knowledge of database security best practices including user access management, encryption, auditing, and compliance controls
- Experience with Atlas MongoDB and PostgreSQL
Cox Enterprises Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is positioned as robust with multiple medical plan options (PPOs and an HSA‑eligible HDHP), in‑network preventive care at 100%, and expanded mental health and virtual care access. Specialized offerings such as fertility benefits, gender‑affirming care, and wellness programs (e.g., Calm, FitnessOnDemand, Hinge Health) further bolster breadth.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) program features an enhanced employer contribution for most newer hires—dollar‑for‑dollar matching up to 6% and an automatic 2% contribution after 90 days, with legacy formulas for earlier hire dates. Financial tools and student‑debt support via Candidly deepen long‑term savings support.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave of eight weeks, adoption assistance (up to $5,000 per adoption), and resources like backup care and childcare discounts are highlighted. Family‑building and caregiving supports (e.g., fertility coverage, Milk Stork, Care.com access) are emphasized across materials.
Cox Enterprises Insights
What We Do
Cox Enterprises is a family-owned enterprise spanning 125+ years of innovation. Through our diverse network of businesses, our people are shaping the future with bold thinking, cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. Across a range of industries — including automotive, agriculture, cleantech, journalism and more — we’re building a better future for this generation and the next. Make your mark at Cox!
Why Work With Us
Founded in 1898, Cox Enterprises is a community of kind, grounded individuals who work together to drive positive change across vital industries. At Cox, employees experience meaningful work, great benefits, work-life balance and a supportive team environment, plus ample opportunities for career growth across our family of businesses.
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