Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. TaxAct is seeking a Senior SQL Database Administrator to drive database operations, performance, security, and platform strategy across AWS-based systems. This role is essential for ensuring stable and high-performance data systems, especially during peak tax season, and involves collaboration with various engineering teams to enhance observability and operational excellence.
Responsibilities
• Own the health, performance, availability, and scalability of databases across AWS environments
• Drive database platform architecture, standards, and improvements to support peak workloads
• Perform advanced performance tuning, indexing, execution plan analysis, and troubleshooting
• Manage backup and recovery strategies to meet defined RPO/RTO objectives
• Build and maintain Datadog dashboards, alerts, and automated health checks; participate in on-call rotations and lead database incident response and RCA efforts
• Partner with engineering and architecture teams to embed database best practices into application design, schemas, and data pipelines
• Review and deploy database changes from internal teams and vendors; support performance modeling for new initiatives
• Develop automation using T-SQL, PowerShell, and Bash to improve operational efficiency, integrity validation, and failover readiness
• Contribute to database infrastructure-as-code using CloudFormation and Terraform, and support platform modernization and migrations
• Implement and audit database security, encryption, access controls, compliance, and data governance practices
• Mentor junior DBAs and guide engineers, leading initiatives that improve reliability, scalability, and data quality
Skills
• 8+ years of experience in database administration, engineering, or architecture
• Deep expertise in SQL Server, including performance tuning, high availability, indexing, and optimization
• Hands-on experience with SQL Server replication technologies, including Change Tracking (CT) and Change Data Capture (CDC)
• Production experience with PostgreSQL and DynamoDB
• Strong experience with AWS database services, including RDS and SQL Server on EC2
• Proficiency in T-SQL, PowerShell, and Bash for automation
• Experience supporting high-scale, mission-critical environments
• Familiarity reviewing database IaC in CloudFormation or Terraform
• Experience with Datadog or similar observability platforms
• Strong communication, collaboration, and analytical skills
• Ability to perform in high-pressure, seasonal peak environments
• High ownership, urgency, and problem-solving mindset
• Experience mentoring and elevating team members
• Exposure to AI-assisted database insight or performance tools
• Experience working in EKS-based microservices environments
• Experience contributing to SLO/SLI definitions for database services
Company Overview
• TaxACT develops a tax preparation software that offers guidance and ensures a maximum tax refund. It was founded in 1998, and is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA, with a workforce of 51-200 employees. Its website is http://www.taxact.com/.
Company H1B Sponsorship
• TaxAct has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 8 in 2025, 6 in 2024, 11 in 2023, 14 in 2022, 16 in 2021, 13 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.
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