Sr. Database Engineer- Cloud
Summary
Senior Database Engineer designs, optimizes, and automates SQL Server and cloud database systems on AWS to ensure high availability, performance, and security for a benefits administration platform.
Want to be a bswifter?
At bswift we’ve been transforming benefits administration since 1996, making it simpler, smarter, and more human. Our state-of-the-art, cloud-based technology and services empower employees to understand, manage, and love their benefits. From downtown Chicago, and remotely across the country, we serve thousands of companies and millions of people nationwide, reducing administrative burdens and freeing HR teams to focus on creating thriving, people-first workplaces.
We’re looking for motivated and goal-driven individuals who share our passion for delivering excellence and creating solutions that make a difference. The reward is a fun, flexible and creative environment with ample opportunity for professional and personal growth. If you love the bswift values of pursue excellence, embrace accountability, deliver superior service, and be a great place to work, we want to hear from you!
ABOUT US
bswift is a leading benefits administration technology company delivering modern, cloud-based solutions to employers and health plans across the United States. Our platform supports millions of employees through some of the most complex benefits transactions in the industry. We are evolving our database function into a true engineering organization—and this role is part of that transformation.
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Database Engineer (Cloud DBA) to join our Database Engineering team. This is a hands-on, high-impact role designed for a database professional who thrives on deep SQL Server expertise, automation, operational excellence, and cloud modernization. You will partner closely with Engineering, DevOps, Analytics, and Infrastructure teams to improve reliability, eliminate operational toil, and build scalable database platform capabilities that support our growing business.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Senior Database Engineer (Cloud DBA) is responsible for the design, administration, optimization, automation, and reliability of enterprise database environments supporting mission-critical business applications. This role will lead initiatives to improve database performance, availability, security, and operational efficiency while helping transform traditional DBA practices into modern database engineering capabilities.
The ideal candidate combines deep SQL Server expertise with a strong engineering mindset, leveraging automation, Infrastructure as Code, cloud technologies, and DevOps principles to build repeatable and scalable database solutions.
WHAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR (Essential Functions)
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
SQL Server & Cloud Operations
Administer, optimize, and support SQL Server 2019+ environments hosted on AWS EC2.
Design, implement, and maintain high availability and disaster recovery solutions, including Always On Availability Groups, clustering, replication, and failover testing.
Perform and continuously improve operational processes including backups, restores, database refreshes, index maintenance, patching, and capacity planning.
Monitor database performance and troubleshoot issues using execution plans, query analysis, Extended Events, SQL Profiler, and enterprise monitoring tools.
Participate in production support and on-call rotations while driving long-term improvements that reduce incident frequency and operational risk.
Automation & Process Improvement
Identify, prioritize, and eliminate manual database administration tasks through automation and standardization.
Develop reusable automation solutions using PowerShell, T-SQL, SQL Agent, Terraform, CloudFormation, and other engineering tools.
Standardize platform management practices across environments to improve consistency, reliability, and scalability.
Promote database platforms as repeatable services rather than individually managed systems.
DevOps & Engineering Integration
Partner with application, platform, and DevOps teams to integrate database deployments into CI/CD pipelines.
Support version-controlled database development and deployment practices.
Contribute to schema versioning, release automation, and database change management initiatives.
Advocate for database best practices within application architecture and development workflows.
Support low-downtime or zero-downtime deployment strategies to improve release quality and stability.
Team Enablement & Collaboration
Mentor team members in automation, cloud technologies, operational excellence, and engineering best practices.
Contribute to the evolution of the database team from reactive operational support to proactive platform engineering.
Create and maintain documentation, standards, playbooks, and operational runbooks.
Collaborate with global database engineering resources, including India-based team members, to maintain consistent standards and operational practices.
Cloud & Platform Modernization
Support AWS database services including RDS, Aurora, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and DynamoDB as business needs evolve.
Participate in cloud migration, modernization, and platform transformation initiatives.
Evaluate and implement new database and platform technologies that improve scalability, performance, and operational efficiency.
Reliability, Security & Cost Optimization
Improve platform reliability through monitoring, alerting, performance baselining, and capacity planning.
Support service reliability initiatives, including SLIs, SLOs, incident reduction, and operational improvements.
Implement and maintain secure database practices including encryption, auditing, role-based access controls, and compliance requirements.
Optimize infrastructure utilization and storage costs through rightsizing, lifecycle management, and performance tuning.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Required Education and Experience)
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
8+ years of hands-on SQL Server administration experience within enterprise production environments.
Deep expertise with SQL Server performance tuning, monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization.
Extensive experience designing and supporting high availability and disaster recovery solutions, including Always On Availability Groups, clustering, replication, and disaster recovery testing.
Demonstrated success automating operational processes through scripting and Infrastructure as Code practices.
Experience supporting SQL Server environments running on AWS infrastructure, particularly EC2-hosted deployments.
Experience supporting highly available, business-critical systems with demanding SLA requirements.
Skills & Abilities
Advanced SQL Server administration and performance tuning expertise.
Strong scripting and automation skills using PowerShell and T-SQL.
Experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, or other Infrastructure as Code tools.
Working knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, deployment automation, version control systems, and DevOps practices.
Experience with observability and monitoring tools including Idera, Redgate, CloudWatch, AppDynamics, Performance Insights, Extended Events, and SQL Profiler.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
Ability to effectively prioritize work and manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
NICE TO HAVE (Preferred Education and Experience)
Experience implementing database CI/CD and schema versioning solutions such as Flyway, Liquibase, or SSDT.
Advanced experience with Infrastructure as Code frameworks, including Terraform and CloudFormation.
Experience supporting PostgreSQL, MySQL, Aurora, or DynamoDB environments.
Familiarity with AWS services including Glue, Lambda, OpenSearch, and Bedrock.
Knowledge of enterprise data modeling, schema design, and data architecture principles.
Experience in healthcare, insurance, financial services, or other highly regulated industries.
Exposure to AI/ML-enabled data platforms and modern data engineering practices.
OTHER DUTIES
Participation in an on-call support rotation is required.
Occasional travel may be required based on business needs.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Why Join bswift?
At bswift, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact, innovate, and grow. Joining our team means stepping into a collaborative and dynamic environment that values creativity, initiative, and a passion for client success. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity and values each team member’s unique contributions.
Benefits of Working at bswift:
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: Access to health, dental, and vision plans to support your wellness and that of your family.
- Competitive Compensation: A compensation package that recognizes your skills, experience, and contributions, including performance-based incentives for most roles.
- Remote first, Office friendly environment! No time to commute? No problem!
- Retirement Savings Plans: Options to help you plan for a secure financial future with employer-sponsored retirement savings programs.
- Professional Development: Opportunities for career growth, including training and access to resources to support your career progression.
- Supportive Culture: A work environment that encourages collaboration, open communication, and creative problem-solving, where your voice and ideas are valued.
- Employee Wellbeing Initiatives: Programs focused on mental health, financial planning, and wellness resources to help you thrive inside and outside of work.
Make an Impact: At bswift, your work directly contributes to transforming how organizations approach benefits administration and client engagement. Join us to be part of an organization that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients and their employees.
Specific benefit offerings vary by position and may be subject to change.
Standard working hours are 8am-5pm Central Time, unless otherwise stated in the Job Description.
In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $140,000-$160,000, exclusive of fringe benefits or potential bonuses. If you are hired at bswift, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience. In addition to those factors – we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future & continued salary growth. We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package!
At bswift, our mission is clear: Become the preeminent benefits administrator through exceptional people, innovative technology, and delighted customers. And our values are at the heart of everything we do to accomplish that mission. We Pursue Excellence, Embrace Accountability, Deliver Superior Service, and strive to Be A Great Place To Work. We take pride in having an engaged, collaborative team that goes the extra mile to get the job done right.
bswift has been regularly named one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®, as well as one of the Nation’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® year after year. We offer a fun, flexible, and creative environment where you can grow both professionally and personally.
If you have what it takes to join our award-winning culture, we’d love to hear from you!