DB2 & SQL Server McLean, VA

Overview: We are seeking an experienced Database Administrator (DBA) with strong hands-on experience in IBM DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server. The ideal candidate will have expertise in database administration, performance tuning, high availability, backup/recovery, security, automation, and migration. The DBA will be responsible for the availability, performance, security, and integrity of enterprise databases and will work closely with development, application, and operations teams. Key Responsibilities Database Administration & Maintenance Install, configure, upgrade, patch, and maintain IBM DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server environments. Manage database instances, clusters, databases, storage, backups, and users. Monitor database health, capacity, growth, and resource utilization. Perform routine database maintenance and housekeeping tasks. Backup, Recovery & High Availability Design, implement, and test backup and recovery strategies for DB2 and SQL Server. Configure and support high-availability and disaster-recovery solutions. Conduct regular recovery drills and ensure recovery-time objectives are met. Performance Tuning & Optimization Analyze and tune database performance using various tools and monitoring platforms. Optimize SQL queries, indexes, execution plans, and database configurations. Investigate and resolve locking, blocking, deadlocks, and connection issues. Collaborate with development teams to improve database design and query efficiency. Security & Compliance Implement database security best practices including authentication, authorization, encryption, auditing, and row-level security. Manage access controls, roles, permissions, and privileged access. Ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. Support audits and provide required database evidence. Automation & Scripting Develop automation for repetitive DBA tasks using PowerShell, Python, Bash, T-SQL, or other scripting languages. Integrate database operations with CI/CD, monitoring, and alerting systems. Maintain infrastructure-as-code and configuration management where applicable. Migration & Modernization Support database migrations, consolidations, and upgrades. Assist with cloud migration and hybrid database environments. Evaluate and adopt new database features and technologies where beneficial. Collaboration & Documentation Provide database support to application developers, QA, and operations teams. Troubleshoot database-related incidents and provide root-cause analysis. Maintain accurate documentation for database topology, procedures, and standards. Participate in on-call rotation and incident response. Required Qualifications 5+ years of experience as a Database Administrator or similar role. 3+ years of hands-on experience with IBM DB2. 3+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server. Strong knowledge of SQL, T-SQL, and PL/SQL. Experience with database backup, recovery, and high-availability solutions. Experience with performance tuning and query optimization. Experience with database security, access controls, and auditing. Proficiency in scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python, Bash, or T-SQL. Familiarity with monitoring and alerting tools. Ability to work with cross-functional teams and communicate effectively. Preferred Qualifications Certification in IBM Certified Database Administrator (DBA) or similar database-related certification. Experience with other database technologies such as Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, etc. Experience with cloud database services / AWS RDS.