Senior Data Platform Administrator

This position is for a senior individual contributor who owns reliability and operational standards across the full database platform: SQL Server (on-prem), Azure SQL, AWS Aurora MySQL/PostgreSQL, RDS, DynamoDB, the Snowflake operational layer, and the Delphix data virtualization platform. This role leads complex migration and modernization projects, defines best practices for the team, mentors mid-level administrators, and serves as a primary technical decision-maker on platform architecture. The role partners directly with Senior Data Solutions Engineers, the Data Solutions Architect, application engineering leadership, and DevOps.

At this time, we are not considering applicants who require employment authorization sponsorship (1) as a condition of eligibility for employment with the Company or (2) at any point during the term of their employment. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship by the Company.

Position Summary: This position is for a senior individual contributor who owns reliability and operational standards across the full database platform: SQL Server (on-prem), Azure SQL, AWS Aurora MySQL/PostgreSQL, RDS, DynamoDB, the Snowflake operational layer, and the Delphix data virtualization platform. This role leads complex migration and modernization projects, defines best practices for the team, mentors mid-level administrators, and serves as a primary technical decision-maker on platform architecture. The role partners directly with Senior Data Solutions Engineers, the Data Solutions Architect, application engineering leadership, and DevOps.

Key Responsibilities: Database Platform Leadership

• Own reliability standards across the full database portfolio: SQL Server, Azure SQL, Aurora MySQL/PostgreSQL, RDS, DynamoDB, Snowflake (operational layer).

• Define and maintain SLI/SLO standards, capacity planning practices, and cost governance models across cloud database services.

• Lead database migration and modernization projects end-to-end: on-prem to cloud transitions, version upgrades, engine consolidations, and platform retirements.

• Design multi-region high-availability architectures and cross-cloud disaster recovery strategies for tier-1 workloads.

• Drive cloud database cost optimization: right-sizing analysis, reserved capacity strategy, workload management, query consolidation.

• Set the standard for performance tuning, troubleshooting methodology, and incident response across the platform team.

Modernization, Automation & Replication

• Drive automation of routine database operations through PowerShell, Python, and schema migration tooling (Flyway, Liquibase, DBMaestro).

• Own the operational architecture of replication topologies including HVR, AWS DMS, Meltano, and SQL Server native replication.

• Own Delphix administration at the platform level: engine sizing, dSource strategy, masking design, capacity planning, API automation.

• Lead modernization of legacy MS BI workloads (SSIS, SSRS, SSAS, SSMDS) in partnership with the Data Solutions Engineering track on the analytics layer.

• Operate Snowflake at architectural depth: warehouse strategy, RBAC design, cost governance, resource monitors, data sharing.

Observability, Security & Compliance

• Define the observability standard across the database estate using AppDynamics, DataDog, DBADash, and custom monitoring.

• Own database security posture: encryption strategy (TDE, TLS, KMS, customer-managed keys), access governance, audit logging, vulnerability management.

• Lead implementation of compliance controls for relevant frameworks (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS).

• Partner with security teams on database hardening, secrets management, and incident response.

Mentorship & Influence

• Mentor administrators at all levels; own onboarding curriculum and skills development plans for the Platform Admin track.

• Drive incident postmortems and implement structural improvements to prevent recurrence.

• Partner with the Data Solutions Engineering track, application engineering, and DevOps on cross-functional initiatives.

• Evaluate emerging database and platform technologies; produce formal recommendations and proof-of-concept implementations.

DRIVE Behaviors

• Deliver Results: Treats reliability and modernization as competitive advantages; drives outcomes that move SLAs, costs, and migration milestones — not just project completion.

• Respect Others: Develops the next generation of administrators; coaches with candor; creates the conditions for the team to succeed without dependence on heroics.

• Ignite Performance: Has the courage to retire what no longer serves; makes the tough calls on technology, process, and people development that others avoid.

• Value Accountability: Sets and enforces incredibly high standards for security, reliability, and engineering practice; holds peers and self to them publicly.

• Elevate the Business: Benchmarks against best-in-class data infrastructure; knows the vendor landscape; brings data-driven recommendations that shape multi-year platform strategy.

Required Skills & Experience

• 6+ years of database administration experience across multiple platforms with significant time at the senior individual contributor level.

• Expert-level SQL Server engineering: FCI, Always-On Availability Groups, Extended Events, Query Store, advanced performance tuning, In-Memory OLTP, Resource Governor.

• Strong multi-engine experience: SQL Server plus at least two cloud-native databases (Aurora MySQL/PostgreSQL, Azure SQL, or DynamoDB) in production.

• Proven track record leading database migration or modernization initiatives at production scale (10TB+ preferred).

• Deep performance tuning skills across OLTP and operational analytics workloads including execution plan internals, storage engine behavior, and concurrency control.

• Operational expertise with Snowflake including warehouse architecture, RBAC design, and cost governance.

• Hands-on expertise with Delphix at architectural depth.

• Operational expertise with the legacy MS BI stack: SSIS, SSRS, SSAS (Tabular and Multidimensional), SSMDS.

• Production experience with replication and CDC: HVR, AWS DMS, Meltano, or SQL Server native replication.

• Strong scripting and automation skills in PowerShell and Python.

• Working knowledge of Terraform, CloudFormation, or equivalent IaC for database resource provisioning.

• Demonstrated mentorship and standards-setting at a team level.

• Working knowledge of relevant compliance frameworks: SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or equivalent.

• Demonstrated ability to influence architecture direction and cross-team engineering strategy.

Preferred

• Experience with multi-region or multi-cloud DR architectures for tier-1 workloads.

• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes-hosted database workloads or operators.

• Public technical community presence: blog posts, conference talks, or open-source contributions.

• Experience in regulated industry environments (financial services, healthcare).

• Familiarity with data lakehouse formats (Delta Lake, Iceberg) and their database adjacency.

• Experience with database observability platforms beyond the listed stack: Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry.

Career Pathway Senior Data Platform Administrators who demonstrate broad organizational impact, technical vision, and influence beyond the team promote to Lead Data Platform Administrator. Those whose interests turn toward analytics architecture may cross-track to Senior Data Solutions Engineer with a focused 90-day ramp on data modeling, dbt, and modern data stack architecture

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Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You:

• Competitive compensation and 401k matching

• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits.

• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear

• Access amazing deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers

• Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide

AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our revolutionary work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.