Derivco

Database Administrator - 12 Month Contract

Derivco · South Africa

Software Development · 1,001-5,000 employees

Jun 08
Senior (5-10 yrs) Contractor Temporary South Africa
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About the role

The Database Administrator will design and maintain high availability and disaster recovery solutions while managing complex data movement architectures. They will also perform advanced performance tuning, monitor database environments, and drive automation initiatives to improve operational efficiency.

What they look for

SQL Server Database Administration Performance Tuning High Availability Disaster Recovery Replication Automation PowerShell Bash Python Clickhouse DB Foundation DB Grafana Loki Tempo Mimir

Requirements

Candidates must have 6-10 years of progressive experience in database administration within enterprise environments and a relevant degree in Information Technology or Computer Science. Strong expertise in SQL Server, performance tuning, and scripting languages like PowerShell or Python is essential.

Full description

We’re looking for a highly skilled Intermediate to Senior Database Administrator  on a 12‑month contract who is passionate about managing enterprise‑scale database environments, driving performance optimisation, and ensuring high availability across critical systems.

This is a hands‑on specialist role where you’ll work with complex SQL Server estates, design and maintain replication and data movement solutions, and play a key role in ensuring database reliability, performance, and scalability across our technology landscape. If you thrive in operational excellence and enjoy solving complex production challenges, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do

  • Design, implement, and maintain high availability and disaster recovery solutions (e.g. clustering, availability groups, replication frameworks)
  • Develop and manage complex data movement and replication architectures across large database estates 
  • Monitor database environments and proactively address performance, stability, and reliability issues
  • Perform advanced performance tuning using execution plans, wait statistics, and profiling tools 
  • Investigate incidents, conduct root cause analysis, and implement effective remediation strategies
  • Drive database automation initiatives using scripting and self‑service tooling to improve operational efficiency
  • Support infrastructure modernisation projects, including cloud adoption and optimisation initiatives
  • Ensure database security, compliance, and governance through controls such as encryption, auditing, and access management 
  • Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and operational standards
  • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior database administrators
  • Participate in critical incident response and provide after‑hours support when required

What We’re Looking For

  • 6 - 10 years of progressive experience in database administration within enterprise environments
  • A relevant degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline
  • Strong expertise in SQL Server or similar relational database management systems
  • Proven experience with high availability, disaster recovery, and replication technologies
  • Advanced skills in database performance tuning and query optimisation 
  • Experience with automation and scripting (e.g. PowerShell, Bash, or Python) 
  • Experience with Clickhouse DB or Foundation DB or LGTM Stack (Loki, Grafana, Tempo, Mimir) or Rybbit or Valkey
  • Exposure to cloud platforms and modern infrastructure environments 
  • Solid understanding of security, compliance, and data governance practices 
  • Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to manage critical incidents independently
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across technical and business stakeholders
  • A collaborative team player who values knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Why Join Us?

  • Play a critical role in maintaining and optimising enterprise‑scale database platforms
  • Gain exposure to modern cloud technologies, automation frameworks, and large‑scale data environments
  • Work in a collaborative, high‑performance engineering environment
  • Contribute to infrastructure modernisation and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Be part of a culture that values technical excellence, accountability, and innovation

If you’re passionate about database reliability, performance optimisation, and building scalable data platforms, this role is for you.

This vacancy will be based Pretoria or Durban

Contract Duration: 12 months

Closing Date: 11 August 2026