Senior SQL Server DBA (Azure) - Lisbon

Senior SQL Server DBA (Azure) — Freelance — Lisbon, Portugal (Hybrid)

We're looking for a Senior SQL Server DBA to join a freelance project via Shakers, a European tech talent marketplace. This is a production-ownership role — not support — with strong integration into Azure cloud services.

What you'll do:

• Administer Microsoft SQL Server in production, fully integrated with Azure
• Manage Always-On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, and storage accounts
• Lead technical resolution of SQL Server incidents end to end, including root cause analysis
• Execute and validate production releases via Azure DevOps and UrbanCode Deploy
• Perform T-SQL tuning and execution plan analysis
• Administer Azure SQL, Azure Pipelines, Azure Monitor, and Azure Event Hub
• Enforce security, permissions, and audit-quality documentation

What you'll need:

• 5-10 years of hands-on production experience with Microsoft SQL Server
• Strong Azure platform experience — mandatory (Azure SQL, DevOps, Pipelines, Alerts, Event Hub, Monitor)
• Always-On Availability Groups and FCI experience — must
• T-SQL scripting and PowerShell automation — must
• Professional English, C1 spoken and written — mandatory
• EU/Schengen nationality or valid Portuguese work permit

Nice to have: Azure Database Administrator certification, PostgreSQL, French and/or Dutch, experience in regulated environments (financial services).

Location: Lisbon, Portugal — hybrid. Engagement: Freelance, through Shakers.