remote experienced Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) Administrator

Kforce's client is seeking a remote experienced Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) Administrator to provide 24x7 support, administration, monitoring, and troubleshooting for mission-critical Azure SQL MI environments. This role supports a global operations team and includes rotational shifts, on-call support, and incident response., * Administer, provision, configure, maintain, patch, and upgrade Azure SQL Managed Instances across multiple subscriptions and regions

• Manage sizing, scaling, storage, capacity planning, backups, restores, security reviews, and maintenance
• Support SQL MI architecture, including Virtual Clusters, General Purpose/Business Critical tiers, HA/failover, zone redundancy, instance pools, storage, networking, and VNet integration
• Assist with SQL Server to Azure SQL MI migrations and deployment architecture reviews
• Monitor and optimize performance, troubleshoot slow queries, blocking, indexing, execution plans, and resource bottlenecks (CPU, memory, storage, I/O)
• Manage HA/DR solutions including Auto-Failover Groups, Geo-Replication, PITR, LTR, backup/recovery strategies, and DR testing
• Monitor environments using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights, and enterprise monitoring tools
• Handle incidents, service requests, problem management, root cause analysis, and major outage support
• Troubleshoot connectivity, replication, performance, resource contention, and network-related issues
• Implement and support Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), RBAC, TDE, Always Encrypted, auditing, threat detection, and vulnerability assessments
• Develop automation using PowerShell, Azure CLI, T-SQL, and preferably ARM, Bicep, or Terraform
• Support Infrastructure as Code (IaC) deployments and automate routine DBA and monitoring activities, * Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
• Experience supporting large-scale enterprise production environments
• Experience working in ITIL-based support organizations

Nice to have:

• Experience with Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server
• Experience with Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse
• Familiarity with Azure Landing Zones and enterprise-scale Azure environments
• Exposure to monitoring tools such as Instana, Dynatrace, Grafana, or Azure Managed Prometheus

• 5+ years of SQL Server Administration experience
• 3+ years of Azure SQL Managed Instance administration experience
• Azure Cloud experience
• Excellent communication and customer-facing skills
• Ability to work independently during shifts
• Strong incident management and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to lead technical discussions during critical outages
• Experience preparing RCA and operational reports
• Willingness to work in a 24x7 rotational shift model, including weekends and holidays
• Participation in on-call support and major incident management activities
• Ability to support global customers across multiple time zones

Strong hands-on experience with:

• Azure SQL Managed Instance
• Azure Virtual Networks
• Private Endpoints
• NSGs
• Route Tables
• Azure Monitor
• Log Analytics
• Azure Backup
• Azure Key Vault
• Azure Storage

Strong expertise in:

• SQL Server Engine
• Query Performance Tuning
• Index Management
• Backup & Recovery
• Always On concepts
• HA/DR design
• Capacity Planning

Expert-level troubleshooting skills across:

• SQL Server
• Azure Infrastructure
• Networking
• Performance issues
• Storage bottlenecks

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.