What are the responsibilities and job description for the Azure SQL Database Administrator position at Cognizant?
Job Summary
The Azure SQL Database Administrator will be responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of our cloud-based SQL database infrastructure. This role focuses on database security, credential management, performance tuning, query optimization, and comprehensive audit trail implementation to meet enterprise and regulatory requirements.
Location : Dallas TX
Key Responsibilities
Database Security & Credential Management
The Azure SQL Database Administrator will be responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of our cloud-based SQL database infrastructure. This role focuses on database security, credential management, performance tuning, query optimization, and comprehensive audit trail implementation to meet enterprise and regulatory requirements.
Location : Dallas TX
Key Responsibilities
Database Security & Credential Management
- Azure Active Directory Integration: Implement and maintain Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) authentication for centralized identity management
- Database Credential Management: Establish secure credential policies, manage SQL authentication, and implement least-privilege access principles
- Network Security Configuration: Configure IP firewall rules, virtual network service endpoints, and private endpoints for secure database access
- Encryption Management: Implement and maintain Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Always Encrypted for sensitive data columns, and manage encryption keys through Azure Key Vault
- Access Control: Design and implement role-based database access using custom database roles and object-level permissions following security best practices
- Query Performance Analysis: Identify and resolve slow-running queries using Azure SQL Database Query Performance Insight, Query Store, and Dynamic Management Views (DMVs)
- Index Optimization: Analyze and optimize database indexes, implement automated index tuning recommendations, and manage index fragmentation
- Resource Monitoring: Monitor DTU/vCore utilization, implement auto-scaling policies, and optimize resource allocation for cost-effectiveness
- Performance Baseline Management: Establish performance baselines, implement proactive monitoring alerts, and conduct regular performance assessments
- Batch Processing Optimization: Optimize large data processing jobs, implement parallel processing strategies, and manage long-running operations
- SQL Query Tuning: Analyze execution plans, optimize complex queries, and implement query hints where appropriate
- Stored Procedure Optimization: Review and optimize stored procedures, functions, and triggers for maximum efficiency
- Database Schema Design: Provide recommendations for optimal table structures, partitioning strategies, and archival processes
- Deadlock Resolution: Identify, analyze, and resolve database deadlocks and blocking issues
- Statistics Management: Maintain up-to-date statistics for optimal query plan generation
- SQL Auditing Implementation: Configure and maintain comprehensive SQL auditing to Azure Storage, Azure Monitor Logs, and Event Hubs
- Compliance Monitoring: Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements (SOX, GDPR, HIPAA) through proper audit trail configuration
- Data Classification: Implement data discovery and classification for sensitive data identification and protection
- Audit Log Management: Design audit log retention policies, implement log archival strategies, and ensure audit log integrity
- Vulnerability Assessment: Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and implement remediation strategies
- Business Continuity Planning: Design and maintain geo-replication, failover groups, and backup strategies
- Backup & Recovery: Implement automated backup policies, test recovery procedures, and manage point-in-time recovery operations
- Monitoring & Alerting: Configure comprehensive monitoring using Azure Monitor, set up proactive alerting, and maintain 24/7 system availability
- Disaster Recovery Testing: Conduct regular DR tests, document recovery procedures, and maintain RTO/RPO compliance
- Database Design Review: Review database schemas, provide optimization recommendations, and ensure best practices implementation
- Migration Support: Plan and execute database migrations from on-premises to Azure SQL Database/Managed Instance
- Version Control: Implement database version control practices and manage database schema changes through CI/CD pipelines
- Development Team Collaboration: Work closely with developers to optimize application database interactions
