Senior Azure Cloud DBA Engineer

Senior Azure Cloud DBA Engineer

SQL Server | Azure SQL Database | Cosmos DB | Platform Engineering

1. Job Overview

• Position: Senior Azure Cloud DBA Engineer

• Location: Brussels Centre, Belgium

• Start Date: January 2027

• Duration: 12 months (extension possible)

• Experience Level: Senior (5–8 years)

• Education: Master's degree

• Languages: Good command of English (mandatory); Dutch or French is an asset.

• Industry: Insurance / Financial Services

2. Mission Context

Our client, a leading organization in the Belgian insurance sector, is accelerating its cloud transformation and modernizing its enterprise database infrastructure.

We are looking for a Senior Azure Cloud DBA Engineer to design, implement, automate, secure, and operate enterprise-grade database platforms on Microsoft Azure.

The role focuses on Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, SQL Server, Infrastructure as Code, DevOps automation, and database governance.

You will collaborate with Database Engineers, Cloud Architects, Cybersecurity Specialists, Infrastructure Teams, Application Developers, and Data Governance Experts.

The position combines:

• 65% Engineering & Build: Cloud architecture, database platform engineering, Terraform development, DevOps automation, governance, and technical innovation.

• 35% Operational Excellence: Tier-3 support, performance troubleshooting, root cause analysis, security reviews, and technical coaching.

3. Key Responsibilities

Azure Database Platform Engineering

• Design, deploy, and maintain scalable Azure SQL Database and Cosmos DB services.

• Integrate database platforms into Azure Landing Zones.

• Implement secure networking, private connectivity, identity management, backup, high availability, and disaster recovery.

• Define reusable, secure, and cost-effective cloud database architecture patterns.

Cosmos DB Engineering & NoSQL Governance

• Lead technical initiatives related to Cosmos DB adoption and optimization.

• Define NoSQL data modeling standards and governance frameworks.

• Optimize database performance, capacity, security, and costs.

• Establish documentation, metadata management, and operational governance practices.

Infrastructure as Code & DevOps

• Develop and maintain reusable Terraform modules.

• Automate database provisioning, configuration, and deployment.

• Build and optimize CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps.

• Implement standardized and repeatable infrastructure deployment processes.

SQL Server & Azure SQL Performance Engineering

• Provide senior-level expertise in SQL Server administration and Azure SQL Database.

• Perform query optimization, performance analysis, and capacity planning.

• Troubleshoot complex database incidents and conduct root cause analysis.

• Improve database monitoring, security, availability, and operational reliability.

Data Protection & Non-Production Data Management

• Design automated data refresh, masking, and scrambling solutions.

• Implement GDPR-compliant anonymization processes.

• Ensure data consistency and referential integrity across SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Cosmos DB.

• Industrialize secure non-production data management processes.

Operational Excellence & Technical Leadership

• Deliver Tier-3 database support and technical guidance.

• Participate in security assessments and architecture reviews.

• Coach junior DBA engineers and promote knowledge sharing.

• Contribute to cloud adoption roadmaps, technical studies, and proof of concepts.

4. Required Technical Skills

Database Technologies

• Microsoft SQL Server administration and T-SQL

• Azure SQL Database

• Azure Cosmos DB

• Database architecture and data modeling

• Performance engineering and database security

Microsoft Azure

• Azure Landing Zones

• Private Endpoints and Private DNS

• Microsoft Entra ID and Managed Identities

• Azure Key Vault

• Network security

• High Availability, Disaster Recovery, Backup & Recovery

Automation & DevOps

• Terraform and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• Azure DevOps and CI/CD pipelines

• PowerShell scripting

• Git version control

• Automated database infrastructure deployment

Monitoring & Governance

• Azure Monitor and Log Analytics

• SQL Query Store and Extended Events

• Root Cause Analysis

• Performance troubleshooting

• Data, security, and operational governance

5. Required Professional Experience

• 5–8 years of relevant senior-level database administration and engineering experience.

• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database.

• Proven experience designing and operating Azure database solutions.

• Practical experience with Cosmos DB, including data modeling, performance optimization, and governance.

• Demonstrated expertise in Terraform-based deployments and CI/CD automation.

• Strong experience in database performance analysis, troubleshooting, and optimization.

6. Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in highly regulated environments, preferably insurance or financial services.

• Experience implementing database governance frameworks.

• Participation in large-scale cloud transformation programs.

• Experience developing reusable cloud platform capabilities.

• Familiarity with SQL Managed Instance, Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Azure Batch, Container Apps, or AKS.

• Knowledge of AppDynamics, SQL Sentry, Redgate Toolbelt, Redgate Monitor, Erwin Data Modeler, or ER360.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Purview, ArchiMate, or TOGAF.

7. Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Technical leadership and ownership mindset.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.

• Strong collaboration and coaching abilities.

• Pragmatic, solution-oriented decision-making.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

8. Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior database engineer with strong Microsoft SQL Server expertise and proven Azure cloud engineering experience, particularly in Azure SQL Database and Cosmos DB.

They combine hands-on database administration with cloud architecture, Terraform automation, DevOps practices, and governance expertise.

The successful candidate will help drive the transition from traditional database administration toward a secure, automated, scalable, and cloud-native database engineering model.