Senior SQL Database Reliability Engineer

Description and Requirements
Role Value Proposition:
The Senior Database Reliability Engineer position is responsible for engineering and operating evolving SQL Server platforms. This role involves managing and optimizing existing SQL Server platforms globally, as well as evaluating and onboarding new database platforms and tools across the organization. This is an exciting opportunity to continuously improve stability and increase self-service through automation, self-healing, and AIOps, providing a best-in-class experience for our application development partners. An ideal candidate should have experience with various database platforms, data engineering, automation, DevOps, and infrastructure/configuration as code, and be able to contribute in multiple ways.
Success in this role requires a forward-thinking individual who excels at managing data platforms using innovative methods, adapts quickly to new tools and technologies, and delivers what truly matters to customers.
Key Responsibilities:

• Leads and participates in efforts to leverage Automation, AIOps, and Observability for optimized data infrastructure performance, security, and stability, including research, planning, design, engineering, and operation of highly available, reliable, and scalable solutions.
• Designs and implement infrastructure-as-code solutions to build, configure, and manage database infrastructure.
• Develops and implements automation for self-healing mechanisms to minimize system downtime as well as self-service solutions for streamlined operations.
• Leads and participates in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and recommends tuning and optimization procedures to improve database performance.
• Reviews and implements database configurations in alignment with MetLife data security standards.
• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability.
• Participates in the on-call rotation to support a 24*7 environment.

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, or another related field or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in databases and database internals, with strong focus on Microsoft SQL database technologies.
• Experience with Windows OS or Azure IaaS or Azure PaaS.
• Experience with database programming and Windows OS Scripting skills.
• Working knowledge of data and database security.
• Affinity to learn new technologies based on demand.

Preferred:

• Strong Expertise in On-premises SQL Server, Azure IaaS & PaaS, including Azure SQL database and Azure Managed Instance.
• Experience with Azure DevOps in handling CI/CD-based deployment.
• Proven experience in Agile environments, with a solid understanding of Agile principles and proficiency in Azure DevOps.
• Working knowledge of database automation and orchestration using PowerShell, T-SQL, Terraform, or Ansible
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with modern observability or AIOps platforms (e.g. AppDynamics, BigPanda, Datadog, Elastic, Prometheus, Grafana, etc.)
• Familiarity with one or more of the following 3rd party products: - Rubrik, IBM TWS Scheduler, IBM Guardium, ServiceNow

At MetLife, we're leading the global transformation of an industry we've long defined. United in purpose, diverse in perspective, we're dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers.
The expected salary range for this position is $90,000 - $117,500. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2025 "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™ for 2024, as well as the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife , through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
$90,000 - $117,500
#BI-Hybrid