STEM OPT Database Administrator Jobs
Database Administrator roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in computer science, information systems, or a related STEM field. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you, and you'll work under a formal I-983 training plan tied to your DBA responsibilities.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Senior Database Administrator will support multiple product teams across Dealer Solutions and play a key role in working on (managed and optimized enterprise database systems) cloud migration initiatives.
This role will be responsible for managing, optimizing, and re-architecting the current on-premises database environment. As a key technical enabler of the organization's cloud strategy, the Senior Database Administrator will first stabilize and remediate the existing database infrastructure, then design and execute a safe, phased migration to AWS.
This position bridges the gap between the current aging, monolithic on-premises database environment running on on-prem infrastructure and a future-state scalable, cost-efficient, cloud-native database platform.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage and support enterprise-scale Microsoft SQL Server environments, including databases in the 10+ terabyte range across development, QA, and production.
- Lead and participate in SQL Server upgrades, version migrations, patching, and maintenance efforts with minimal disruption to business-critical applications.
- Design, implement, and maintain high-availability and disaster recovery solutions, particularly Always On Availability Groups.
- Monitor and optimize database performance, availability, and reliability, including tuning queries, indexes, and stored procedures.
- Perform and validate database backup, recovery, and maintenance activities to ensure data integrity and operational continuity.
- Advanced SQL Server administration options (trace flags, DB options, and query hints).
- Develop automation using PowerShell, T-SQL, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code.
- Support enterprise monitoring, alerting, and observability solutions tailored to SQL Server health, availability, and performance metrics.
- Establish operational standards, runbooks, and incident response procedures.
- Expertise in SQL Server replication across multiple databases; troubleshoot replication latency, distribution bottlenecks, and data consistency issues.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex database issues related to performance, connectivity, storage, security, and application integration.
- Contribute to the planning and execution of database migration and cloud transformation initiatives, with a focus on migrating to AWS (RDS for SQL Server, EC2-hosted SQL Server).
- Implement database security best practices, including user access management, encryption, auditing, and compliance controls.
- Create and maintain automation scripts, monitoring solutions, operational procedures, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with software engineering, DevOps, infrastructure, product, and security teams to support business-critical applications and modernization efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 4 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 2 years' experience; a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience; or 8 years' experience in a related field.
- Requires 2+ years of AWS database migration experience.
- Requires 5+ years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server database platform in the 10+ terabyte range.
- Strong hands-on experience with SQL Server replication, including troubleshooting latency and consistency issues.
- Demonstrated experience with SQL Server upgrades, migrations, and patching across multiple environments.
- Solid understanding of Windows Server administration as it relates to SQL Server hosting and configuration.
- Proven experience with SQL Server clustering and high-availability solutions (e.g., failover clustering).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION
- Nice to have in Atlas MongoDB and PostgreSQL.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $121,800.00 - $203,000.00 per year
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $121,800.00 - $203,000.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
BENEFITS
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
EOE, including disability/vets
INTRODUCTION
The Senior Database Administrator will support multiple product teams across Dealer Solutions and play a key role in working on (managed and optimized enterprise database systems) cloud migration initiatives.
This role will be responsible for managing, optimizing, and re-architecting the current on-premises database environment. As a key technical enabler of the organization's cloud strategy, the Senior Database Administrator will first stabilize and remediate the existing database infrastructure, then design and execute a safe, phased migration to AWS.
This position bridges the gap between the current aging, monolithic on-premises database environment running on on-prem infrastructure and a future-state scalable, cost-efficient, cloud-native database platform.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage and support enterprise-scale Microsoft SQL Server environments, including databases in the 10+ terabyte range across development, QA, and production.
- Lead and participate in SQL Server upgrades, version migrations, patching, and maintenance efforts with minimal disruption to business-critical applications.
- Design, implement, and maintain high-availability and disaster recovery solutions, particularly Always On Availability Groups.
- Monitor and optimize database performance, availability, and reliability, including tuning queries, indexes, and stored procedures.
- Perform and validate database backup, recovery, and maintenance activities to ensure data integrity and operational continuity.
- Advanced SQL Server administration options (trace flags, DB options, and query hints).
- Develop automation using PowerShell, T-SQL, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code.
- Support enterprise monitoring, alerting, and observability solutions tailored to SQL Server health, availability, and performance metrics.
- Establish operational standards, runbooks, and incident response procedures.
- Expertise in SQL Server replication across multiple databases; troubleshoot replication latency, distribution bottlenecks, and data consistency issues.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex database issues related to performance, connectivity, storage, security, and application integration.
- Contribute to the planning and execution of database migration and cloud transformation initiatives, with a focus on migrating to AWS (RDS for SQL Server, EC2-hosted SQL Server).
- Implement database security best practices, including user access management, encryption, auditing, and compliance controls.
- Create and maintain automation scripts, monitoring solutions, operational procedures, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with software engineering, DevOps, infrastructure, product, and security teams to support business-critical applications and modernization efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 4 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 2 years' experience; a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience; or 8 years' experience in a related field.
- Requires 2+ years of AWS database migration experience.
- Requires 5+ years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server database platform in the 10+ terabyte range.
- Strong hands-on experience with SQL Server replication, including troubleshooting latency and consistency issues.
- Demonstrated experience with SQL Server upgrades, migrations, and patching across multiple environments.
- Solid understanding of Windows Server administration as it relates to SQL Server hosting and configuration.
- Proven experience with SQL Server clustering and high-availability solutions (e.g., failover clustering).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION
- Nice to have in Atlas MongoDB and PostgreSQL.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $121,800.00 - $203,000.00 per year
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $121,800.00 - $203,000.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
BENEFITS
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
EOE, including disability/vets
See all 106+ STEM OPT Database Administrator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Database Administrator
Confirm your CIP code covers database roles
Pull your transcript and cross-reference your degree's CIP code against the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in computer science, management information systems, or data science typically qualify, but information technology programs vary by institution.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before applying
Any employer hiring you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify. Check enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search tool before submitting applications, so you don't waste time on offers that can't be authorized.
Build your I-983 training plan around DBA competencies
Work with your prospective employer to map your training objectives to concrete database skills: query optimization, schema design, backup procedures, or cloud database management. USCIS scrutinizes vague plans, so tie each goal to a measurable outcome in your role.
Target employers with active H-1B LCA filings for database roles
Employers who have filed LCAs for Database Administrator or Data Engineer positions with the DOL have a demonstrated record of sponsoring technical roles. Use Migrate Mate to filter job listings by verified sponsorship history, so your applications go to employers already familiar with the process.
Benchmark your offer against DOL prevailing wages
Before accepting an offer, run the job title and location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your compensation meets or exceeds the DOL prevailing wage for Database Administrators in that metro. A below-wage offer creates compliance risk for your employer and your status.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS recommends submitting your I-765 extension at least 90 days before your current EAD expires. A timely filing triggers a 180-day automatic extension of your work authorization, preventing a gap between your initial OPT end date and the new EAD arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Database Administrator role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree carries an eligible CIP code. Database Administrator positions fall under SOC code 15-1242 and are consistent with STEM degrees in computer science, management information systems, or data science. Confirm your specific degree program appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before your DSO submits the extension recommendation in SEVIS.
How do I find Database Administrator employers who are enrolled in E-Verify?
E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for any employer hiring STEM OPT students, but not all job postings disclose it upfront. You can verify a company's enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search before applying. Migrate Mate surfaces Database Administrator roles from employers with confirmed sponsorship activity, which overlaps heavily with E-Verify enrollment.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Database Administrator position?
Your I-983 must connect your daily DBA responsibilities to learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. Concrete goals work better than general descriptions: specifying skills like performance tuning, disaster recovery planning, or database security hardening gives USCIS a clear line between your academic background and on-the-job training. Both you and your employer must sign and reaffirm the plan every six months.
What happens to my STEM OPT work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery?
If your H-1B visa petition is filed before your STEM OPT expires and you're subject to the cap, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. Your employer should confirm the petition was properly filed with USCIS before your EAD end date to preserve continuous employment authorization through the transition.
Can I switch Database Administrator jobs while on STEM OPT?
Yes, but the new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must file an updated I-983 training plan reflecting your new role and responsibilities. Report the employer change to your DSO within ten days so they can update your SEVIS record. A gap in employment exceeding the allowable unemployment limit during STEM OPT can jeopardize your status.