Senior Systems Administrator Jobs in South Carolina

Job Summary: Senior SQL Server Database Administrator to lead the design, administration, performance tuning, security, and availability of mission critical Microsoft SQL Server environments across on premises and cloud platforms. This role requires deep technical expertise, strong troubleshooting skills, and the ability to work closely with application, infrastructure, and security teams to ensure high availability, scalability, and reliability of database platforms.

Location: REMOTE (Anywhere in USA)

Key Responsibilities:

SQL Server Administration:

• Install, configure, upgrade, patching and maintaining Microsoft SQL Server (2019–2022) in production, non-production, and DR environments
• Manage Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances (FCI), Replication, and Log Shipping
• Perform capacity planning and proactive performance monitoring
• Work with App/Dev teams to perform code reviews and schema validations

Cloud & Hybrid Database Management:

• Manage AWS RDS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, DocumentDB, DynamoDB on hybrid platforms
• Should have good experience in migration of SQL Server Onprem databases to Cloud RDS/Aurora
• Migration of databases to Aurora Postgres/MySQL and migrating RDBMS/NoSQL databases
• Configure MultiAZ, Read replica instances in cloud
• Should have good understanding and experience in performing AWS DMS, S3/VPC/IAM/Security groups in AWS
• Support database migrations using tools like AWS SCT and work with SSMS, SSRS and other SQL tools
• Optimize RDS/cloud database cost, performance, and scalability

Performance & Optimization:

• Analyze and tune query performance, indexes, execution plans, and blocking/deadlock issues
• Optimize tempdb, memory, CPU, and I/O configurations
• Work with developers to improve SQL code quality and database design

Backup, Recovery & DR:

• Design and manage backup and restore strategies
• Perform recovery in AWS Cloud instances
• Perform regular DR drills and recovery testing
• Support RPO/RTO objectives for business-critical systems

Automation & Monitoring:

• Automate routine SQL Installations and DBA tasks using PowerShell, T SQL
• Implement and manage monitoring tools (SSMS, CloudWatch)
• Create dashboards, alerts, and runbooks

Production Support & Leadership:

• Provide L3/L4 support for database incidents and outages
• Participate in on call rotation for critical systems
• Mentor junior DBAs and review operational procedures
• Collaborate with infra, cloud, and DevOps teams

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until 29 June, 2026

The annual salary for this position is between $98,000 - $110,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.