The Computing Services central IT department provides services that have a strategic impact on university goals. We make service decisions based on interaction and valuable input from colleagues engaged in the education, research, and administration efforts of the university. We are a learning organization and approach successes and mistakes as a learning experience to continually cultivate a culture of intelligent risk taking. We want to hire versatile team members who are inspired and passionate about their work. Join us and be part of a team committed to excellence, innovation, diversity, team and individual growth.
The Senior Database Administrator is responsible for administering, securing, and optimizing Microsoft SQL Server databases running in a Windows ecosystem and across public cloud platforms. This role installs, configures, maintains, patches, and tunes databases and the underlying Windows and cloud infrastructure that support them; designs and enforces standards; performs backup and recovery and disaster-recovery planning and testing; provides Level-2/Level-3 escalation support for critical partner and internal applications; and designs and operates cloud and hybrid application architectures and database platforms. The Senior DBA collaborates with application developers, cloud and infrastructure engineers, storage, and network teams to ensure reliable, performant, secure, and cost-effective data platforms.
Your core responsibilities will include:
1. Cloud Architecture & Operations: Design, implement, and operate database platforms across public clouds and hybrid architectures — selecting managed services, sizing instances, configuring networking, and implementing secure connectivity (VNet/VPC, private endpoints, peering, VPN/ExpressRoute/Direct Connect).
2. Managed & Native Services: Operate and optimize managed cloud database services (Azure SQL, RDS/Aurora, Cloud SQL), NoSQL/document databases (Cosmos DB, DynamoDB), and analytics platforms (Synapse, Redshift, BigQuery). Implement best practices for scalability, availability, and cost.
3. Migration & Modernization: Lead and execute database migration efforts (assessment, schema/data migration, cutover, validation), refactoring where appropriate for cloud-native usage, and runbook updates post-migration.
4. Automation & IaC: Implement Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM, CloudFormation) and automations (PowerShell, Azure CLI, AWS CLI) to deploy, configure, and manage databases and related cloud infrastructure reproducibly.
5. Observability & Cost Management: Create monitoring and alerting (cloud native + SQL monitoring) and own cost governance for database workloads (rightsizing, autoscaling, and reserved instance/commitment strategies).
6. Security & Compliance: Implement cloud security controls, encryption-at-rest/in-transit, key management, IAM policies, and assist with compliance assessments and evidence collection.
7. Hybrid Operations: Manage hybrid topologies that span on-prem Windows servers and cloud services, orchestrate failover and DR between on-prem and cloud as needed, and ensure consistent configuration and documentation.
8. Collaboration & Leadership: Act as technical lead on cloud database projects, mentor junior staff, and work with application owners to migrate and modernize application database dependencies.
Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Computing Services. Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Qualifications:
Type of Required Experience:
Helpful: ITIL Foundation, security certifications (CompTIA Security+, CISSP).
Position Specific Licenses/Certifications:
Preferred / Helpful Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Database Specialty or AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, Terraform Associate.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
Decision Making:
Working Conditions:
Accountability:
Direction:
Supervision:
Requirements:
Are you interested in this exciting opportunity?! Apply today!
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Database Administration
Position Type
Staff – Regular
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Salary
More Information: