SQL Server DBA

Kemper

Principal-level SQL Server DBA at leading specialized insurer Kemper. Focusing on architecture, administration, performance, security, and operational excellence of SQL Server environments.

Posted 7/24/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $111,000 - $186,700 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in Microsoft SQL Server administration, architecture, and performance optimization, with a strong focus on high availability, disaster recovery, and security practices. Proficient in leveraging AWS services to enhance database solutions and improve operational efficiency through automation and monitoring.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Microsoft SQL Server AdministrationAWS Cloud Platform SupportDatabase Performance TuningHigh Availability and Disaster Recovery SolutionsDatabase Security Practices

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

SQL Server Database EngineAlways On Availability GroupsFailover Cluster InstancesQuery OptimizationPerformance AnalysisPowerShell ScriptingPython ScriptingDatabase Monitoring ToolsInfrastructure as Code (IaC)Backup and Recovery Solutions

Soft Skills

Technical GuidanceCollaborationMentoring

Tools & Technologies

Amazon EC2Amazon RDSAmazon VPCAWS IAMAWS KMSSolarWinds Database Performance AnalyzerAppDynamicsSQL Server ProfilerAWS CloudFormationTerraform

Certifications & Qualifications

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator AssociateAWS Certified Database – SpecialtyMicrosoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Industry Keywords

Enterprise Database EnvironmentsOperational ProceduresCompliance RequirementsDatabase Architecture StandardsPerformance Bottlenecks

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSAzureCloudCyber SecurityEC2MS SQL ServerPythonSQLSSISTerraform

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serves as a senior technical authority for Microsoft SQL Server database platforms, providing expertise in architecture, administration, performance optimization, security, and operational support.
Designs, installs, configures, upgrades, patches, and maintains enterprise Microsoft SQL Server environments across development, test, staging, and production environments.
Provides advanced administration and support for SQL Server technologies, including SQL Server Database Engine, Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, replication, SQL Agent, SSIS, SSRS, and related components.
Develops and implements SQL Server architecture standards, configuration baselines, operational procedures, and best practices to ensure consistency, reliability, and scalability.
Performs advanced SQL Server performance tuning, including query optimization, execution plan analysis, indexing strategies, statistics management, database configuration tuning, and workload analysis.
Monitors SQL Server environments using database monitoring tools and proactively identifies issues related to performance, availability, capacity, storage, and resource utilization.
Designs and maintains SQL Server high availability and disaster recovery solutions, including backup strategies, restore procedures, replication, failover testing, and recovery planning.
Implements and manages SQL Server security controls, including authentication, authorization, role-based access, encryption, auditing, vulnerability remediation, and compliance requirements.
Supports SQL Server environments hosted in AWS and hybrid cloud platforms, collaborating with cloud and infrastructure teams to deploy and optimize database solutions using services such as Amazon EC2, Amazon RDS, Amazon EBS, Amazon VPC, AWS IAM, AWS KMS, Amazon CloudWatch, S3, and AWS Backup.
Leads SQL Server migration, modernization, and consolidation initiatives, including migrations to AWS and implementation of cloud-based database solutions where applicable.
Develops automation solutions using PowerShell scripting, Python, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and database administration tools to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual processes.
Partners with application development teams to support database design, data modeling, schema changes, release deployments, and production application support.
Troubleshoots complex SQL Server incidents, performs root cause analysis, and implements permanent corrective actions to improve platform stability.
Provides technical guidance during production incidents, change activities, upgrades, and major database-related initiatives.
Maintains SQL Server documentation, architecture diagrams, standards, configuration records, and operational runbooks.
Mentors and provides technical guidance to database administrators, promoting knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
Evaluates SQL Server tools, technologies, and industry practices to improve database reliability, performance, and operational maturity.
Participates in on-call support, incident response, and critical production issue resolution as required.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of ten (10) years of hands-on experience administering enterprise database environments, with a strong focus on Microsoft SQL Server.
Extensive experience installing, configuring, upgrading, patching, securing, and supporting Microsoft SQL Server in large-scale enterprise environments, including AWS.
Advanced knowledge of SQL Server architecture, including SQL Server Database Engine, Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, replication, backup/recovery, and performance tuning.
Strong experience with query optimization, execution plan analysis, indexing strategies, and database troubleshooting.
Experience supporting SQL Server environments across on-premises, hybrid, and AWS cloud platforms.
Working knowledge of AWS services supporting SQL Server database platforms, including Amazon EC2, Amazon RDS, Amazon VPC, Amazon EBS, AWS IAM, AWS KMS, Amazon CloudWatch, AWS Backup, Route 53, S3, and Elastic Load Balancing.
Experience implementing database security practices, access controls, encryption, masking, auditing, and compliance requirements.
Experience designing and supporting high availability, disaster recovery, backup, and recovery solutions for enterprise SQL Server environments.
Hands-on experience with database monitoring, performance analysis, and observability tools such as SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA), AppDynamics, SQL Server Extended Events, SQL Server Profiler, and similar monitoring platforms.
Ability to analyze database monitoring metrics, identify performance bottlenecks, correlate application and database performance issues, and implement corrective actions to improve system reliability.
Experience with database automation, scripting, monitoring, and operational improvement initiatives using PowerShell, Python, Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, or similar technologies.
Ability to analyze complex database performance issues and provide solutions that improve availability, scalability, and reliability.
Experience collaborating with application developers, infrastructure teams, cloud engineers, cybersecurity teams, and business stakeholders.
Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, standards, procedures, and operational runbooks.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related technical field; equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience will be considered.
Relevant professional certifications are preferred, such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Fundamentals, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) / Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) in SQL Server (legacy), AWS Certified Database – Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or other database/cloud-related certifications.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid time off
401(k) matching
Tuition Assistance Program
Paid certifications and continuing education programs
Employee discounts for shopping, dining, and travel through Kemper Perks