Database Administrator Sr. (Cloud Architect)

Job Posting Expiration : 10 / 30 / 25 Salary Range : $118,353.69 - $121,369.79 Hiring Department : Department of Aviation Job Overview & Summary We are seeking a Senior Database Administrator / Cloud Architect to lead our organization's cloud transformation initiatives and database modernization efforts. This hybrid role combines deep database administration expertise with enterprise-level cloud architecture responsibilities, with primary focus on designing and implementing scalable, secure cloud solutions across multi-cloud environments. The ideal candidate will drive our cloud-first strategy, lead complex migration projects, and architect resilient data platforms that support business growth while optimizing performance and costs. This position requires a strategic thinker who can bridge traditional database management with modern cloud-native architecture, working closely with cross-functional teams to enable enterprise adoption of cloud services and guide the evolution from legacy systems to cloud-optimized solutions. Essential Responsibilities & Duties : Lead design and implementation of cloud architecture strategies for IT projects across AWS, Azure, and GCP platforms. Architect and deploy cloud-native database solutions, data lakes, and analytics platforms to support aviation stakeholders and business intelligence requirements. Drive cloud migration initiatives from legacy on-premises systems to managed cloud services, ensuring minimal disruption to critical airport operations. Develop and maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform, ARM templates, and CloudFormation for automated, repeatable deployments. Implement comprehensive disaster recovery and high availability architectures using multi-region replication and cloud-managed services. Establish and enforce cloud security frameworks, identity management, and compliance protocols aligned with city of Atlanta and Department of Aviation policies. Build and optimize DevOps / CI-CD pipelines for automated provisioning, deployment, and monitoring of cloud and on-premises environments. Design cost-efficient cloud workloads through auto-scaling, serverless adoption, and strategic use of reserved instances and managed services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enable microservices and cloud-native application patterns. Create and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation, solution designs, technical how-to guides, and operational runbooks for cloud implementations and deployments. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Data Management Team members on cloud technologies and best practices. Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize cloud database performance to ensure 24 / 7 availability for airport operations. Required Technical Skills Cloud Platforms : Minimum 5 years hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, and / or Google Cloud Platform, including core services, architecture patterns, and best practices. Cloud Database Technologies : Expertise in cloud-native databases (Amazon Aurora, Azure SQL Database, Google Cloud SQL, Cosmos DB, BigQuery) and distributed database systems. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) : Proficient in Terraform, ARM templates, CloudFormation, or similar tools for automated infrastructure deployment and management. Database Administration : Advanced skills in SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle with experience in installation, configuration, patching, capacity planning, performance tuning, backup / recovery, and high availability configurations. DevOps & CI / CD : Experience with automated deployment pipelines using tools like Azure DevOps, AWS Code Pipeline, Jenkins, or GitLab CI. Containerization & Orchestration : Working knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and container management in cloud environments. Data Integration & ETL : Experience with cloud data services (AWS Glue, Azure Data Factory, Google Dataflow) and data pipeline development. Security & Identity Management : Knowledge of cloud security frameworks, encryption, IAM, and compliance implementation. Scripting & Programming : Proficiency in PowerShell, Python, Bash, or similar languages for automation and tooling. Monitoring & Observability : Experience with cloud monitoring tools (CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, Google Cloud Operations) and performance optimization. Soft Skills & Professional Competencies : Strategic Thinking : Ability to align technology solutions with organizational goals and long-term vision, balancing innovation with operational stability. Communication & Presentation : Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, from technical teams to executive leadership. Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills : Strong troubleshooting abilities and systematic approach to identifying root causes and developing effective solutions under pressure. Leadership & Mentorship : Proven ability to provide technical guidance, mentor team members, and influence cross-functional collaboration without direct authority. Adaptability & Learning Agility : Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new technologies, adapt to changing requirements, and thrive in a rapidly evolving cloud landscape. Project Management : Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously while meeting deadlines and quality standards. Collaboration & Teamwork : Experience working effectively with diverse teams including developers, operations staff, security teams, and business stakeholders. Customer Service : Understanding of internal customer needs and commitment to delivering solutions that enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Attention to Detail : Meticulous approach to documentation, system configurations, and security protocols, especially critical in airport operations environment. Resilience & Composure : Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, and maintain focus during critical incidents or system outages. Continuous Improvement Mindset : Proactive approach to identifying optimization opportunities and driving innovation within established processes. Reporting Structure & Team Dynamics : Reporting Relationship : Reports directly to the Data Management Team IT Manager within the Office of Technology & Digital Experience (TDE). Cross-Functional Collaboration : Partners closely with other TDE teams including engineering, operations, security, service desk, and telecom teams. Technical Leadership Role : Serves as the primary cloud architecture subject matter expert, providing guidance and mentorship to junior team members and peers. Stakeholder Engagement : Interfaces regularly with other DOA divisions, business units, and external vendors to understand requirements and deliver cloud solutions. Project Team Participation : Leads cloud initiatives and participates in enterprise-wide technology planning and decision-making processes. Knowledge Sharing : Expected to actively participate in team knowledge sharing, conduct technical training sessions, and contribute to the team's collective expertise. Escalation Point : Serves as a senior escalation resource for complex cloud architecture and database issues within the Data Management Team. Work Environment & Conditions : Work Location : On-site presence at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with flexibility for Hybrid remote work. Schedule : Standard business hours (8 : 15 to 5 : 00) with flexibility required for system maintenance windows, emergency response, and project deadlines that may extend beyond normal hours. On-Call Responsibilities : Participation in rotation for critical system support and incident response, particularly for cloud infrastructure and database emergencies affecting airport operations. Collaborative Environment : Works in both independent and team settings, requiring effective communication in virtual meetings and in-person collaboration. Education & Experience Requirements : Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related technical field, OR equivalent combination of education and professional experience. Minimum 5-10 years of progressive experience in database administration, cloud architecture, or related IT infrastructure roles. Cloud Architecture Experience : Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience designing and implementing cloud solutions in enterprise environments. Database Administration Experience : Minimum 5 years of experience in database design, implementation, administration, and performance optimization. Leadership Experience : Minimum 3 years of experience leading technical projects, mentoring team members, or driving technology initiatives. Enterprise Environment : Demonstrated experience working in large-scale, mission-critical environments with high availability requirements (24 / 7 operations preferred). Migration & Transformation Projects : Proven track record of successfully leading cloud migration projects or digital transformation initiatives. Documentation & Communication : Experience creating technical documentation, presenting to executive leadership, and communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications : Cloud Certifications : AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, or equivalent advanced cloud certifications. Specialized Database Certifications : Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional, or cloud-specific database certifications. Enterprise Architecture Experience : Background in large-scale enterprise architecture design, particularly in mission-critical or 24 / 7 operational environments. Advanced Analytics & Big Data : Experience with data warehousing, business intelligence platforms, machine learning services, and advanced analytics in cloud environments. Multi-Cloud Strategy : Proven experience designing and implementing multi-cloud architectures and hybrid cloud solutions. Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity : Advanced expertise in designing enterprise-level disaster recovery and business continuity solutions. Cost Management & FinOps : Experience with cloud financial operations, cost optimization strategies, and budget management for large-scale cloud deployments Leadership & Mentoring : Previous experience leading technical teams, conducting training sessions, or mentoring junior staff on cloud technologies. Essential Duties and Responsibilities : These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Ensures accuracy and completeness of data in master files and various support tools, such as base dictionaries, and establishes and maintains security and integrity controls. Formulates and monitors policies, procedures, and standards relating to database management. Proposes and implements enhancements that will improve the performance and reliability of the system. Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks. Applies organizational policies; may interpret organizational policies and recommend exceptions. Establishes work methods, timetables, performance standards, etc. Routinely provides work group leadership, guidance, and / or training to less experienced staff. Allocates and optimizes system storage for the database system. Conducts capacity planning. Plans future storage requirements and advises management on long-term capacity plans and growth of the database system. Designs, implements, and maintain database security protocol. Plans and coordinates security measures alongside network administrators. Identifies and rolls out best practices for security, user and password management. Establishes and maintains sound backup and recovery policies and procedures. Defines Data Archive / Purge Standards. Monitors and maintains backups and recovery operations for database systems. Monitors and optimizes the performance of the database. Performs accurate application tuning and performance monitoring. Ensures availability of the database. Uses non-disruptive administration tactics. Manages and enforces database policies, procedures, and standards. Performs tests and evaluations regularly to ensure data security, privacy, and integrity. Collaborates with the Applications team to develop database solutions by designing the proposed system; defining database physical structure, security, back-up, and recovery specifications. Documents database policies, procedures, and standards. Identifies and builds various database reports needed to give visibility into critical database and server parameters. Deploys and installs Oracle and SQL Server databases. Designs and optimizes database architecture for performance and scalability. Documents database systems and operational procedures. Monitors and tunes database performance, identifying and resolving issues. Assists the Innovations team by providing knowledge and skills for data analytics, visualizations, power BI reporting, implementing data lakes and data warehouses. Troubleshoots and resolves database-related problems. Trains and mentors junior and support staff. May act as team lead. May perform other duties as assigned. The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization. Knowledge Skills and Abilities : This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list. Extensive knowledge of concepts, processes, and tools of the profession. Knowledge of the relationship of professional discipline among related organizations and functions. Well-developed technical skills within the profession. Skills in organizing and presenting proposals or information. Ability to plan and carry out virtually any typical assignment within the professional area. Ability to train others. Ability to build effective relationships within the organization.