Senior Database Administrator/Developer at LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Database Administrator/Developer
Company: LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC
Location: United States (Remote, with preference for Silver Spring, MD area candidates)
Job Type: Full Time
Category: Database Administration & Development
Date Posted: 2025-08-08
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

Manage and optimize critical SQL Server databases supporting national registry operations for a federal agency.
Ensure secure, efficient, and reliable data management solutions for mission-critical government systems.
Collaborate with application teams to support complex data processing operations and API integrations.
Lead SQL Server version migrations and coordinate with application teams for compatibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on database administration, performance tuning, and data security, with a preference for candidates experienced in federal agency or government database systems.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Database Management & Optimization:
- Manage and optimize SQL Server 2016/2010 databases with planned migration to SQL Server 2022.
- Conduct database performance tuning, query optimization, and capacity planning for high-volume registry operations.
Data Security & Encryption:
- Implement and maintain database encryption solutions and ensure data security across all database environments.
- Manage database backup strategies, recovery operations, and disaster recovery planning.
API & Data Processing Support:
- Support and optimize 500+ stored procedures critical to registry and website operations.
- Develop and maintain database components supporting SOAP and REST API operations.
- Ensure all data ingestion and processing functions remain operational and develop new data processing capabilities.
Database Monitoring & Documentation:
- Implement database monitoring solutions and provide performance and capacity reports.
- Maintain database documentation, establish coding standards, and coordinate database-related projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate) are a plus.

Experience: Minimum 5+ years of experience in database administration and development, with a strong focus on SQL Server environments.

Required Skills:

Advanced SQL Server administration, T-SQL programming, and database optimization techniques.
Experience with database encryption technologies, security implementations, and access control management.
Proven experience with SQL Server backup strategies, disaster recovery, and high availability solutions.
Strong skills in query optimization, index management, and database performance analysis.
Knowledge of API database integration and web service data connectivity.

Preferred Skills:

Experience working with federal agencies or government database systems.
Knowledge of AWS RDS, cloud database solutions, and hybrid cloud environments.
Familiarity with Veeam backup integration and automated backup solutions.
Experience with database migration projects and version upgrades.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate SQL Server database administration and development experience through case studies or projects.
Showcase proficiency in T-SQL programming, query optimization, and performance tuning.
Highlight experience with data security, encryption, and access control management.
Display knowledge of API database integration and web service data connectivity through relevant projects.

Technical Documentation:

Provide documentation for past database administration and development projects, including database schema, stored procedures, and performance metrics.
Include any relevant certifications or training courses completed to enhance your qualifications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (Based on industry standards for senior database administrators/developers with 5-10 years of experience in the United States)

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on U.S. market rates for senior database administrators/developers with relevant experience. Actual salary may vary depending on factors such as location, company size, and individual qualifications.

Benefits:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan with company match
Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
Professional development opportunities and training
Flexible work arrangements (remote work, flexible hours)

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET), with flexibility for occasional overtime or on-call support as needed.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government and Public Sector

Company Size: Medium (50-250 employees)

Founded: 2010

Team Structure:

Database Administration & Development team (5-10 members)
Application Development & Support team (15-25 members)
Project Management & Operations team (5-10 members)

Development Methodology:

Agile/Scrum methodologies for application development and database projects
Iterative development cycles with regular sprint planning and review sessions
Collaborative environment with cross-functional team collaboration and knowledge sharing

Company Website: www.lightfeather.io

📝 Enhancement Note: LightFeather is a purpose-driven team delivering innovative, mission-critical solutions to make a real difference. They value diversity, collaboration, and continuous learning, fostering a supportive work environment for their employees.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Database Administrator/Developer

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Database & Infrastructure Manager, with close collaboration with application development teams and project managers.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the performance, security, and reliability of mission-critical government systems, ensuring efficient data management and processing operations.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical leadership and mentoring opportunities within the Database Administration & Development team.
Potential career progression to a Database & Infrastructure Manager or similar leadership role.
Opportunities to gain experience with emerging technologies and cloud-based database solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers ample opportunities for professional growth and development, with a focus on technical leadership and mentoring within the team. Candidates can expect to work on diverse, challenging projects that contribute to the success of the company's federal agency clients.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Remote work with occasional on-site meetings for team collaboration and training)

Office Location(s): Silver Spring, MD (with remote work flexibility)

Workspace Context:

Collaborative workspace with dedicated database administration and development resources.
Access to multiple monitors, testing environments, and development tools.
Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with application development, project management, and operations teams.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET) with flexibility for occasional overtime or on-call support as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: LightFeather offers a flexible, collaborative work environment that supports remote work and encourages team interaction. Employees have access to the resources and tools needed to succeed in their roles and contribute to the company's mission.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone/Video Screen: A brief conversation to assess communication skills, cultural fit, and initial technical qualifications.
Technical Assessment: A hands-on evaluation of SQL Server administration, T-SQL programming, and database optimization skills through a practical exercise or case study.
Behavioral & Situational Questions: An in-depth discussion of past experiences, problem-solving approaches, and adaptability to new challenges.
Final Review: A meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the candidate's fit for the role and the team, followed by a decision on hiring.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight relevant SQL Server database administration and development projects that demonstrate your skills and experience.
Include case studies or examples that showcase your ability to optimize database performance, ensure data security, and support complex data processing operations.
Be prepared to discuss your approach to database encryption, backup strategies, and disaster recovery planning.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your SQL Server administration and T-SQL programming skills, focusing on query optimization, index management, and performance analysis.
Familiarize yourself with database encryption technologies, access control management, and API database integration concepts.
Prepare for behavioral and situational questions by reflecting on past experiences and developing a structured approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

ATS Keywords: SQL Server, Database Administration, T-SQL, Performance Tuning, Data Security, API Integrations, Backup Strategies, Disaster Recovery, High Availability, Cloud Database Solutions, AWS RDS, Federal Agency, Government Database Systems

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. By preparing thoroughly and showcasing your relevant experience and expertise, you can increase your chances of success in the application and interview process.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Database Technologies:

SQL Server 2016/2010 (with planned migration to SQL Server 2022)
MS Access databases, macros, and integration with SQL Server systems
AWS RDS (knowledge of cloud database solutions and hybrid cloud environments is preferred)

Development & DevOps Tools:

Visual Studio (or similar integrated development environment)
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Azure Data Studio (or similar SQL Server client tools)
Git (for version control and collaborative development)
JIRA (or similar project management and issue tracking tools)
Confluence (or similar collaboration and knowledge sharing platforms)

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires proficiency in SQL Server administration, T-SQL programming, and database optimization techniques. Familiarity with cloud-based database solutions and hybrid cloud environments is a plus, as is experience with relevant development and project management tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Database Administration & Development Values:

Expertise & Continuous Learning: Pursue ongoing professional development and stay up-to-date with the latest SQL Server administration and development best practices.
Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Work closely with application development teams and other database administrators to share knowledge and improve processes.
Performance & Reliability: Prioritize database performance, security, and reliability to ensure efficient and reliable data management solutions.
Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Demonstrate the ability to adapt to new challenges and find creative solutions to complex data processing and integration problems.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with application development, project management, and operations teams to ensure seamless data processing and integration across government systems.
Code Review & Peer Programming: Participate in code reviews and pair programming sessions to maintain high coding standards and share knowledge within the team.
Knowledge Sharing & Mentoring: Actively contribute to the team's knowledge base and mentor junior team members to support their professional growth and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: LightFeather values a collaborative, knowledge-sharing work environment that fosters continuous learning and professional development. Candidates who embrace these values and demonstrate strong technical skills and problem-solving abilities are well-suited to this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Performance Optimization: Develop and implement strategies to optimize SQL Server database performance, query execution plans, and indexing for high-volume registry operations.
Data Security & Encryption: Design and implement robust database encryption solutions to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with federal regulations and industry standards.
API Integrations: Support complex data processing operations and API integrations for mission-critical government systems, ensuring seamless data flow and reliable system performance.
Cloud Migration: Lead SQL Server version migrations and coordinate with application teams for compatibility, with a focus on minimizing downtime and ensuring data integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Expand your knowledge of SQL Server administration, T-SQL programming, and database optimization techniques through online courses, webinars, and industry conferences.
Cloud Database Solutions: Gain experience with AWS RDS and other cloud-based database solutions to enhance your skillset and adapt to emerging technologies.
Leadership & Mentoring: Develop your leadership and mentoring skills by guiding junior team members and contributing to the team's knowledge base and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents numerous technical challenges and growth opportunities for candidates seeking to advance their careers in database administration and development. By embracing these challenges and pursuing continuous learning, candidates can make a significant impact on the success of the company's federal agency clients and contribute to their own professional growth and development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

SQL Server Administration: Describe your approach to SQL Server database management, performance tuning, and capacity planning for high-volume registry operations.
Data Security & Encryption: Explain your experience with database encryption technologies, access control management, and implementation strategies for protecting sensitive data.
API Integrations: Discuss your knowledge of API database integration and web service data connectivity, with examples of relevant projects or case studies.

Company & Culture Questions:

Federal Agency Experience: Share your experience working with federal agencies or government database systems, highlighting any relevant projects or initiatives.
Team Collaboration: Describe your approach to cross-functional team collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentoring within a database administration and development team.
Problem-Solving: Provide an example of a complex data processing or integration challenge you've faced in the past, and explain how you approached and resolved the issue.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

SQL Server Projects: Highlight your most relevant SQL Server database administration and development projects, focusing on performance optimization, data security, and API integration aspects.
Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies or project summaries that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, technical expertise, and contributions to the success of past initiatives.
Portfolio Organization: Organize your portfolio to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements in a clear and concise manner, with a focus on the most relevant projects and accomplishments for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: By preparing thoroughly for technical and company-specific interview questions, candidates can demonstrate their expertise, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the LightFeather team. A well-organized portfolio and strong presentation skills can further enhance the candidate's chances of success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Database Administrator/Developer position:

Customize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant database administration and development experience, skills, and achievements, with a focus on SQL Server, performance tuning, data security, and API integrations.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your most relevant SQL Server database administration and development projects, case studies, and technical documentation, showcasing your expertise and problem-solving abilities.
Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with LightFeather's mission, values, and company culture, emphasizing your understanding of the role and your fit within the team.
Practice Interview Questions: Prepare for technical, behavioral, and situational interview questions, focusing on your SQL Server administration and development skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the LightFeather team.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Senior Database Administrator/Developer