Senior SQL Server Database Administrator Consultant – AI & Vector Data Platforms

IWU is seeking a Senior SQL Server Database Administrator Consultant – AI & Vector Data Platforms (Independent Contractor ‑ 1099 / Contract-to-Hire) for a large-scale technology reorganization project. ABOUT IWU TECHNOLOGY ABOUT THE ROLE: • IWU's enterprise re-platforming depends on reliable, high-performance data services – relational systems of record, analytics pipelines, and the vector storage layer that powers retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) for our on-premises AI platform. We are seeking an Senior Microsoft SQL Database Administrator with hands-on vector storage experience (Weaviate) to design, operate, and optimize data and embedding stores across our multi-site active/active data center footprint. • This is not a cloud DBA role. IWU runs database workloads on infrastructure we own and operate in commercial colocation. • You will administer production SQL Server environments, implement backup, HA, and DR patterns that meet our RTO/RPO targets. • You will stand up and support vector-capable storage – whether native SQL Server vector indexes, Weaviate or other dedicated vector databases that AI and application teams depend on for semantic search and RAG. • You will be a hands-on senior individual contributor: you will translate industry database standards into deployed, monitored services, partner with infrastructure, security, AI, and application teams, and keep data platforms auditable, recoverable, and performant at enterprise scale. SQL Server Operations and Engineering • Administer Microsoft SQL Server production and non-production instances – installation, patching, configuration, Always On availability groups, log shipping, replication, and failover testing across dual-site topologies. • Design and maintain backup, restore, and point-in-time recovery procedures – full, differential, and log backups, offsite retention, restore validation, and documented runbooks. • Monitor and tune database performance – query plans, index design, wait statistics, tempdb, memory grants, I/O latency, and capacity planning triggers. • Implement security controls – TDE, column-level encryption where required, least-privilege access, SQL Audit, and alignment with organizational hardening standards. • Manage schema migrations, deployment pipelines, and change control for line-of-business databases, integration hubs, and platform services. Vector Storage and AI Data Services • Design, deploy, and operate vector storage for AI and RAG workloads – embedding ingestion pipelines, index types, similarity search latency targets, and capacity planning for embedding growth. • Evaluate and implement vector capabilities on SQL Server (native vector data types and indexes) and/or alongside dedicated vector databases per enterprise standards. • Partner with the Enterprise AI Architect and application teams on RAG data models – chunking strategies, metadata filters, hybrid search (vector + keyword), and refresh cadences for knowledge bases. • Optimize vector query performance – index rebuilds, shard/replica strategy, batch vs. real-time ingestion, and benchmarking under concurrent inference load. Multi-Site Availability and DR • Architect SQL Server and vector store replication for active/active dual-site operation – synchronous or near-synchronous replication, automatic failover, conflict handling, and site-independent read/write patterns where standards require. • Align database DR posture with enterprise RPO/RTO targets – failover runbooks, regular DR exercises, and post-incident review. • Coordinate with infrastructure on storage tiering, network latency between sites, and connection pooling. Governance, Compliance, and Collaboration • Maintain database controls for FERPA, HIPAA, SOC 2, and PCI-DSS obligations where applicable – classification, access reviews, audit trails, and evidence for auditors. • Document standards, runbooks, and integration patterns for developers and data engineers. • Participate in on-call rotation for database incidents – corruption, replication lag, failover events, and performance degradation – with clear escalation paths. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Required • According to Indiana Wesleyan University policy, all employees and contract-to-hire contractors must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement. • 5+ years of progressive experience as a Microsoft SQL Server DBA or database engineer in production enterprise environments. • Demonstrated expertise administering SQL Server at scale – Always On availability groups, replication, backup/restore, patching, and performance tuning on SQL Server 2019, 2022, or 2025, with strong preference for SQL Server 2022/2025 experience. • Strong T-SQL skills – query optimization, index design, stored procedures, execution plan analysis, and troubleshooting blocking/deadlock scenarios. • Experience implementing database security – authentication integration with Active Directory / Entra ID, TDE, SQL Audit, and role-based access control. • Hands-on experience with vector storage for AI or search workloads – SQL Server native vector features, or a dedicated vector database. • Understanding of embedding pipelines and RAG architecture – chunking, vector dimensions, similarity metrics, metadata filtering, and refresh strategies. • Experience with high-availability and disaster recovery design – failover testing, RPO/RTO alignment, and multi-site replication topologies. • Ability to write clear runbooks, architecture notes, and operational documentation for technical teams and auditors. • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field – or equivalent demonstrated experience. Strongly Preferred • Experience operating databases in multi-datacenter active/active colocation environments. • Experience with database automation – PowerShell or CI/CD pipelines for schema deployment. • Experience tuning vector workloads under concurrent AI inference load – latency SLOs, index parameter tuning, and capacity benchmarking. • Background in a regulated or compliance-sensitive environment (education/FERPA-Title-IV, financial services/GLBA, healthcare/HIPAA, insurance, public sector). • Familiarity with ITIL change, incident, and problem management processes. • Relevant certifications (Microsoft Certified: SQL Server-specific credentials, or equivalent). How You Work • You treat our data like our heartbeat – reliable backups, tested failover, and measured performance are non-negotiable, not afterthoughts. • You balance operational stability with the pace of re-platforming – you know when to optimize a query and when to redesign a schema. • You collaborate across infrastructure, security, AI, and application teams and explain database trade-offs in plain language. • You stay current on SQL Server releases, vector index techniques, and the operational realities of running embedding stores at production scale. WHY THIS ROLE? • Critical data platform role. SQL Server and vector storage sit at the intersection of IWU's ERP, integration hub, analytics, and AI-first re-platforming – your work is on the critical path. • Dual-site depth. Designing HA/DR for relational and vector workloads across active/active colocation is technically demanding and professionally rewarding. • AI-native skill set. Vector storage experience is rare among traditional DBAs – here it is a core requirement, not a nice-to-have. • Real standards, real scope. You will implement against a defined database and vector storage standards catalog across a funded dual-site build-out. • Mission and meaning. IWU is a century-old Christ-centered university serving roughly 15,000 learners. The data platforms you operate keep the systems running that prepare them to change the world. PROJECT REMUNERATION: Estimated annual project remuneration is $150,000 - $165,000 for this independent contractor (1099) / Contract-to-Hire role. Contractor Insurance/Bond Requirements • General Liability: $1m per occurrence / $2m aggregate • Cyber Liability: $2m per occurrence • Workers’ Compensation / Employers’ Liability: $500,000; not applicable for approved sole operators • Professional Liability / Errors & Omissions: $1m per occurrence / $3m aggregate Equipment & Travel Expenses • IWU will provide required equipment and software. Personal devices and software are generally not permitted for assigned work unless approved by IWU. • IWU will pay for required and approved travel and other expenses. • Specific policies, rules, and details will be included in the executed contract. Engagement Process • Easy-Apply on LinkedIn • LinkedIn Survey • Phone Screen • Video Interviews • On-Site Interview/Tour • Contract Engagement Begins Compliance & Disclaimers IWU is an equal opportunity employer committed to compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or other federal, state, or local laws or executive orders except as claimed in a filed religious exemption. Indiana Wesleyan University is managing this search directly. Third-party recruiters, staffing agencies, search firms, subcontracting firms, and candidate marketers may not submit candidates for this role unless they have a current, written agreement with IWU that specifically authorizes recruitment support for this opening. Unsolicited candidate submissions will not create any obligation, fee, commission, placement right, or ownership claim. Any candidate submitted without prior written authorization may be contacted directly by IWU and considered without payment of any recruiting or placement fee. Candidates must apply directly through this LinkedIn posting or the official IWU application process. This role does not authorize third-party representation, bench submissions, or agency-to-agency candidate referrals.