At a Glance
- Tasks: Administer and optimise Microsoft SQL Server environments for critical business applications.
- Company: Join KBR, a leader in innovative technology solutions with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible work options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a global team focused on creativity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: 7+ years of SQL Server experience and strong troubleshooting skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are KBR. When you become part of our KBR team, your opportunities are endless. Through internal collaboration, and with our partners and customers, we’re defining tomorrow’s challenges, then providing the innovative solutions to overcome those challenges, always maintaining our commitment to Zero Harm and our Sustainability Platform.
Our Mission Technology Solutions business partners with governments and defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and critical infrastructure customers to deliver high-end engineering, science, technology, and mission support solutions. From national security and readiness to advanced research, cyber, logistics, and life-cycle sustainment, our teams help customers solve complex challenges in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
Working with us means being rewarded for your contributions. In addition to competitive benefits and professional development, our people are empowered to use all their potential, creating meaningful change for themselves and our clients. We attract the best minds in the world because our expertise thrives on creativity, resourcefulness and collaboration.
As the needs of the world change, we’re ready to respond and guide the way forward with strategic, sustainable, and technological advancements grounded in more than a century of practical application and execution.
About the Role: The Senior MS SQL Database Administrator is responsible for the administration, maintenance, performance, security, and availability of enterprise Microsoft SQL Server environments supporting critical business applications worldwide. This role serves as a senior member of the Global Database Team, providing technical expertise across database architecture, installation, upgrades, migrations, monitoring, backup and recovery, and cloud-based database services.
The ideal candidate combines deep Microsoft SQL Server expertise with strong troubleshooting, automation, and operational support skills. This individual will play a key role in ensuring database reliability, performance, and compliance while supporting modernization initiatives, cloud technologies, and enterprise database governance standards.
- Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain enterprise Microsoft SQL Server environments.
- Manage database backup, recovery, replication, migration, and disaster recovery processes.
- Design, implement, and support high-availability and business continuity solutions.
- Administer and support Azure SQL Database environments, including security, connectivity, monitoring, and performance optimization.
- Perform proactive database monitoring, capacity planning, performance tuning, and issue resolution.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex database performance, availability, and operational issues.
- Develop and maintain database automation and administration scripts utilizing PowerShell, T-SQL, and other scripting technologies.
- Configure and maintain database security, access controls, and compliance with organizational governance standards.
- Apply SQL Server patches, updates, and version upgrades while ensuring system stability and security.
- Support database licensing compliance and maintain awareness of SQL Server versioning and support requirements.
- Collaborate with infrastructure, application, cloud, and security teams to support enterprise initiatives and projects.
- Maintain technical documentation, operational procedures, and database standards.
- Participate in a rotating on-call support schedule, including weekends and off-hours support as required.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, automation, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
- 7+ years of database administration experience supporting enterprise Microsoft SQL Server environments.
- Experience installing, configuring, and upgrading enterprise-scale Microsoft SQL Server platforms.
- Experience supporting production database environments in a large, complex organization.
- Experience working in cloud-based environments, including Microsoft Azure.
Microsoft SQL & Database Administration Expertise:
- Strong experience with SQL Server backup and recovery solutions, including native SQL Server tools and enterprise backup platforms.
- Experience with SQL Server replication, database migrations, and high-availability configurations.
- Proficiency with Transact-SQL (T-SQL) and database administration best practices.
- Experience implementing database security, access controls, and governance standards.
- Strong knowledge of SQL Server patching, version management, and licensing concepts.
- Experience monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing database performance.
- Experience performing capacity planning and proactive database health management.
- Experience creating and managing Azure SQL Databases, including security configuration and data movement between cloud and on-premises environments.
Technical Knowledge & Core Competencies:
- Experience developing automation scripts using PowerShell, batch scripting, or similar technologies.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a global team environment.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results.
- Willingness to participate in on-call support rotations and occasional after-hours activities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience administering Oracle, Sybase, MySQL, or PostgreSQL database environments.
- Experience working with Linux operating systems.
- Experience with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
- Experience supporting hybrid cloud database architectures.
- Experience with enterprise monitoring, automation, and database management tools.
- Exposure to database modernization and cloud migration initiatives.
Summary Location: Leatherhead, Surrey, United Kingdom Type: Full time
Senior MS SQL Database Administrator in Guildford employer: KBR
As a Senior Quantity Surveyor with us, you'll join a dynamic team that values collaboration and professional growth, all while working on impactful civil and infrastructure projects in the UK. We offer a supportive work culture that encourages continuous improvement and provides opportunities for coaching and mentoring junior staff, ensuring you can develop your skills and advance your career. Our commitment to maintaining high standards in procurement and project management means you'll be part of a company that prioritises excellence and innovation in every aspect of its operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior MS SQL Database Administrator in Guildford
✨Tap into Local Tech Meetups
Get yourself to local tech meetups or database management conferences. It's a really great way to meet industry professionals and potentially uncover unadvertised full-time roles. When chatting with people, mention your skills and interests in database management; you never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects can not only sharpen your database skills but also get you noticed by employers. Many companies look for candidates who actively contribute to projects – it shows initiative and a real passion for the field. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to connect with other developers and expand your professional network.
✨Utilise Professional Bodies
Sign up for professional bodies related to database management, like the British Computer Society. They often host events and networking opportunities that can lead directly to job openings in the full-time market. Plus, it adds a nice touch to your professional profile!
✨Showcase Your Skills in a Public Portfolio
As you’re on the hunt for that full-time role, make sure to have a public portfolio that displays your best database projects. This can easily set you apart from the competition. And when you apply for roles, definitely mention it – it shows employers you mean business and are proud of your work!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior MS SQL Database Administrator in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your database skills:When applying for a full-time role in database management, it’s super important to highlight your skills with specific database technologies like SQL, NoSQL, or any relevant data visualisation tools. We want to see how you've used these tools in real projects, so don't shy away from detailing your hands-on experience!
Tailor your CV for data:Make sure your CV is structured clearly, focusing on your previous experience in database management. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact, like how you improved data retrieval times or reduced errors. This isn't just about what you've done; it’s about what you’ve achieved with your skills!
Craft a compelling cover letter:In your cover letter, share what excites you about database management and how you can contribute to KBR. Mention any relevant projects where you tackled challenges or implemented new solutions. Let us know why you want to join our team and how your passion aligns with our goals.
Document your projects:If you've worked on interesting database projects—maybe during your studies or in previous roles—be sure to include those in your application. If you can, link to a portfolio or GitHub repo where we can see examples of your work. Having a tangible showcase of your skills will really make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at KBR
✨Brush Up on Database Tools
Make sure you're well-versed with popular database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. Incorporating real-world examples of how you've used these tools in past projects will show that you can put theory into practice, which is something KBR will definitely appreciate.
✨Know Your SQL Inside Out
Get ready for some technical questions focused on SQL queries and database design. We should anticipate coding challenges where you might need to optimise queries or design a database schema on the spot. Practising these problems will build our confidence to impress in the interview.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Besides just technical know-how, be prepared to answer scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach data integrity issues or handle performance bottlenecks — KBR will want to see your analytical side!
✨Show Your Collaboration Spirit
Since this is a full-time role, it's crucial to highlight how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams or contributed to team projects in the past. Emphasising our interpersonal skills will demonstrate that you’re not just a tech wizard, but also a team player who fits well with KBR's culture.
