Sentara is hiring for a Lead Databricks Administrator - Remote!

Overview

We are seeking a Lead Databricks Administrator to lead the administration, optimization, and evolution of our enterprise data ecosystem. This senior-level position will ensure reliable, secure, and high-performing database environments while advancing team expertise across Databricks, Databricks Lakehouse, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Cosmos DB, and AI-integrated data operations.

The successful candidate will act as a technical leader, mentor, and cross-functional collaborator ensuring the seamless integration of emerging technologies into our data platform strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Lead administration, configuration, and support of Databricks, Databricks Lakehouse, Microsoft SQL Server, and Cosmos DB environments.Ensure data integrity, performance, availability, and security across multiple database technologies.Perform advanced SQL database administration, including backup/recovery, performance tuning, replication, clustering, and maintenance automation.Configure and tune database parameters; define data repository requirements, schemas, and governance standards.Provide actionable platform performance insights, usage analytics, and capacity planning reports to leadership.Develop and maintain runbooks, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides for database and platform operations.Design and implement automation, monitoring, and infrastructure-as-code solutions (Databricks CLI, REST APIs, Terraform).Act as a senior technical escalation point, collaborating with engineering teams to resolve complex or high-impact issues.Identify and integrate platform enhancements that improve reliability, observability, and scalability.Mentor team members to build competency in Databricks, Databricks Lakehouse, Microsoft SQL Server, Cosmos DB, and AI-focused technologies.Participate in both weekday and weekend on-call rotations to ensure 24/7 operational coverage

Core Technical Skills and Experience

Databricks Administration (Required)

5+ years of hands-on Databricks experience in an Azure cloud environment.Expertise with Unity Catalog, external locations, access control, and data governance.Experience managing secrets and credentials using enterprise tools (Azure Key Vault, AWS Secrets Manager).Proficiency with automation and infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, CLI, REST APIs).Strong experience with Spark optimization, Delta Lake management, and schema design for analytics.Familiarity with Databricks workflows, job orchestration, monitoring, and recovery strategies.

SQL Database Administration (Required)

7+ years of experience supporting and administering Microsoft SQL Server databases.Strong skills in query tuning, indexing, backup/restore strategies, replication, and Always On availability groups.Knowledge of database security, encryption, and compliance best practices.Experience supporting ETL/ELT processes, metadata management, and data quality assurance.

Additional Technical Expertise (Highly Desired)

Databricks Lakehouse: configuration, tuning, monitoring, replication, and backup/recovery management.Cosmos DB: deployment, scaling, sharding, and performance optimization in enterprise environments. AI/ML Integration: familiarity with AI tools and frameworks (Databricks ML flow, Azure AI services) and how they integrate into enterprise data pipelines.Scripting and Automation: experience with Python, PowerShell, or Bash for platform automation.Cross-platform data integration: experience connecting and managing multi-database architectures and hybrid environments.

Core Competencies

Strategic problem-solving and analytical thinking.Ability to manage complex projects independently with minimal oversight.Strong mentoring and knowledge-sharing mindset.Effective collaboration across cross-functional and cross-platform teams.Commitment to continuous learning and adopting emerging technologies.

EducationBachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, or a related field (Required)

Certification/LicensureDatabricks Certified Data Engineer Associate or Professional (Preferred)Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (Preferred)Databrick Lakehouse or Lakehouse DB Professional Certification (Preferred)

ExperienceRequired to have a minimum of 8 years of total experience in database administration, including database design, performance tuning, and backup/recovery strategiesRequired to have 7+ years of experience supporting and administering Microsoft SQL Server databases.Required to have 5+ years of hands-on Databricks experience in an Azure cloud environment.Databricks Lakehouse: configuration, tuning, monitoring, replication, and backup/recovery management.Hands-on Databricks or Spark experience in a cloud environment

Keywords: Databricks, MSQL, Microsoft SQL, Azure

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, and benefits. The base pay rate for Full Time employment is:$106,080.00-$176,820.80. Additional compensation may be available for this role such as shift differentials, standby/on-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.