Azure Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) - SaaS Operations

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Site Reliability Engineer (SRE – SaaS Platform Operations)

Position Summary: Experienced Azure-based SRE required to support a large-scale enterprise SaaS platform, with strong Microsoft SQL Server expertise, future PostgreSQL readiness, production operations, patching, automation, troubleshooting, and incident response capability.

Role Type

Site Reliability Engineering / SaaS Platform Operations

Primary Technology Focus

Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Windows/Linux, Monitoring, Automation

Future Scope

Upcoming releases include database movement from MSSQL to PostgreSQL; PostgreSQL operational support is expected to become increasingly important.

Experience Level

4+ years relevant experience; strong MSSQL production support background; PostgreSQL exposure preferred

Working Model

24x7 production support environment; US time zone support/night shifts as required

Audience

Client, delivery leadership, hiring panel, and internal stakeholders

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) to support , a large-scale enterprise SaaS platform operating in cloud and high-availability environments.

This role is responsible for maintaining infrastructure reliability, availability, performance, and operational excellence across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL readiness, Windows, Linux, monitoring, automation, and incident response functions.

This is not a first-line helpdesk role. The role requires a hands-on engineer who can independently investigate complex technical issues, collaborate with engineering and platform teams, and provide clear technical communication to internal and client stakeholders.

Future Scope: In upcoming product releases, selected databases are expected to move from Microsoft SQL Server to PostgreSQL. The role should therefore include PostgreSQL awareness and operational readiness in addition to current MSSQL responsibilities.

Role Focus Areas

Focus Area

Expected Capability

Business Outcome

Cloud Operations

Manage and support Azure infrastructure, monitoring, storage, compute, and patching activities.

Stable, secure, and scalable platform operations.

Database Reliability

Administer MSSQL workloads today and support PostgreSQL readiness for future releases, including tuning, maintenance, backups, and HA/DR.

Improved database performance, resiliency, and recoverability.

Patching & Maintenance

Plan and support SQL/database patching and operating system patching across Windows and Linux environments.

Improved security compliance and reduced operational risk.

Incident Response

Perform initial analysis, support P1/P2 triage, contribute to RCA, and improve runbooks.

Reduced MTTR and stronger production readiness.

Automation & Observability

Use PowerShell/Python, alert tuning, logging, dashboards, and Infrastructure-as-Code practices.

Better operational efficiency and proactive issue detection.

Engineering Collaboration

Reproduce issues, validate defects, and escalate with evidence to product engineering.

Faster defect resolution and improved customer experience.

Key Responsibilities Infrastructure & Platform Reliability

• Maintain highly available, reliable, and scalable cloud infrastructure in Microsoft Azure.
• Monitor platform health, review technical logs, and proactively address performance and availability issues.
• Improve infrastructure monitoring, alerting, and logging to support proactive reliability management.
• Plan, coordinate, and support operating system patching and maintenance activities across Windows and Linux servers.
• Ensure security updates, compliance patches, and platform upgrades are executed in line with change management processes while minimizing service disruption.
• Drive operational excellence through standardization, automation, and continuous improvement.
  
  

Database Administration & Performance Management

• Manage and support Microsoft SQL Server databases across production and non-production environments on Azure.
• Support PostgreSQL operational readiness and future PostgreSQL database support as selected databases move from MSSQL to PostgreSQL in upcoming releases.
• Troubleshoot and tune queries, SQL jobs, indexing, CPU, memory, I/O, and storage utilization.
• Implement and maintain backup, restore, high availability, disaster recovery, and routine database maintenance processes.
• Perform SQL Server and PostgreSQL database patching, upgrades, maintenance, and version lifecycle activities under enterprise change management processes.
• Use T-SQL and scripts for investigations, reporting, and controlled production data fixes under change control.
  
  

Incident Management & Technical Troubleshooting

• Investigate complex infrastructure, application, database, Windows, Linux, and Azure-related issues.
• Participate in incident response, perform initial technical analysis, and contribute to root cause analysis documentation.
• Reproduce customer-reported issues in staging or lab environments where required.
• Escalate verified product defects to engineering teams with clear technical evidence, logs, and impact analysis.
  
  

Automation, DevOps & Observability

• Create and maintain operational automation using PowerShell, Python, or equivalent scripting languages.
• Support Infrastructure-as-Code and configuration management practices using tools such as Terraform and Puppet.
• Collaborate on CI/CD and operational tooling improvements using platforms such as GitHub and Jenkins.
• Enhance monitoring and alert management practices for SaaS product operations.
  
  

Stakeholder & Customer Communication

• Collaborate closely with onsite DB SREs, application teams, platform teams, product support, and engineering.
• Provide clear and timely communication on issue status, technical findings, risks, and next steps.
• Join customer or onsite calls when required to explain technical findings and remediation actions.
• Update runbooks, knowledge base articles, troubleshooting guides, and operational documentation.
  
  

Required Qualifications Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in SRE, production operations, database administration, cloud infrastructure, or enterprise platform support.
• 2+ years of SaaS pipeline or SaaS product operations experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience managing Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure and cloud monitoring tools.
• 4+ years in Microsoft SQL Server-centric roles such as DBA, Production Support Engineer, or Database SRE in 24x7 environments.
• PostgreSQL exposure or willingness to support PostgreSQL environments as part of future platform modernization scope.
• Experience supporting SQL/database patching and operating system patching activities in controlled production environments.
• Willingness and ability to work night shifts or US time zone aligned support coverage when required.
  
  

Technical Skills Matrix

Skill Category

Required Skills

Priority

Database

MSSQL 2016+, T-SQL, query tuning, SQL jobs, stored procedures, indexing, backup/restore, HA/DR

Critical

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL administration, performance tuning, backup/recovery, replication, HA awareness, and migration/coexistence readiness

Future Scope / High

Patching

SQL/database patching, OS patching, version lifecycle management, maintenance planning, and controlled change execution

High

Cloud

Microsoft Azure infrastructure, Azure VMs, Azure storage, Azure SQL or SQL on Azure VMs, Azure monitoring

Critical

Operating Systems

Windows Server administration and working knowledge of Linux servers

High

Monitoring & SRE

Application performance monitoring, alert management, logging, incident response, RCA, runbooks

High

Automation

PowerShell, Python, scripting for investigations, reporting, and operational automation

High

DevOps / IaC

Terraform, Puppet, GitHub, Jenkins, CI/CD awareness

Medium

Containerization

Docker, Kubernetes, and microservices architecture familiarity

Preferred

Preferred / Additional Qualifications

• Experience setting up, configuring, and improving monitoring and tooling for SRE/DevOps operations of a SaaS product.
• Experience supporting PostgreSQL databases in enterprise production environments.
• Experience with database migration, modernization, or coexistence initiatives involving Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL.
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL performance tuning, backup/recovery, replication, and high availability architectures.
• Experience with PagerDuty or similar incident notification and escalation platforms.
• Experience with Elasticsearch is a strong advantage.
• Ability to perform application debugging and collaborate effectively with Product Support, Platform, Database, and Engineering teams.
• Ability to conduct research, evaluate technology options, make recommendations, and maintain a high level of expertise in systems software and operational tooling.
• Strong understanding of compliance, policies, procedures, patching windows, and change control expectations in enterprise production environments.
  
  

Core Competencies

Independent technical troubleshooting

Customer-focused communication

Production incident ownership

Analytical thinking and RCA mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Operational discipline and documentation

Hiring / Screening Guidance

Candidate screening should prioritize strong MSSQL production operations and Azure infrastructure experience, while also considering PostgreSQL exposure or readiness due to upcoming platform releases where selected databases are expected to move from MSSQL to PostgreSQL. The role is best suited for an engineer who can combine database reliability, cloud operations, patching, automation, and incident response in a large-scale SaaS environment.

Strong Fit Indicators

Potential Red Flags

MSSQL DBA / production support background

Pure DevOps profile with limited database depth

Azure infrastructure operations experience

NOC/helpdesk-only background

PostgreSQL exposure or database modernization experience

Database developer with no production operations

SQL and OS patching experience in controlled environments

Cloud-only profile without MSSQL troubleshooting

Hands-on incident/RCA ownership

No exposure to controlled patching/change management

PowerShell/Python automation

Limited ownership in incident response

Comfortable with US time zone support

No willingness to support future PostgreSQL scope

Role Value Proposition

This role provides the opportunity to contribute directly to reliability, performance, security, and operational maturity for a large-scale enterprise SaaS platform. The selected candidate will support the current Microsoft SQL Server estate, help prepare for future PostgreSQL adoption, and work with modern cloud, database, automation, patching, and monitoring technologies while collaborating closely with experienced SRE, database, platform, support, and engineering teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Description

Site Reliability Engineer (SRE – SaaS Platform Operations)

Position Summary: Experienced Azure-based SRE required to support a large-scale enterprise SaaS platform, with strong Microsoft SQL Server expertise, future PostgreSQL readiness, production operations, patching, automation, troubleshooting, and incident response capability.

Role Type

Site Reliability Engineering / SaaS Platform Operations

Experience Level

4+ years relevant experience; strong MSSQL production support background; PostgreSQL exposure preferred

Working Model

24x7 production support environment; US time zone support/night shifts as required

Audience

Client, delivery leadership, hiring panel, and internal stakeholders

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) to support a large-scale enterprise SaaS platform operating in cloud and high-availability environments.

This role is responsible for maintaining infrastructure reliability, availability, performance, and operational excellence across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL readiness, Windows, Linux, monitoring, automation, and incident response functions.

This is not a first-line helpdesk role. The role requires a hands-on engineer who can independently investigate complex technical issues, collaborate with engineering and platform teams, and provide clear technical communication to internal and client stakeholders.

Future Scope: In upcoming product releases, selected databases are expected to move from Microsoft SQL Server to PostgreSQL. The role should therefore include PostgreSQL awareness and operational readiness in addition to current MSSQL responsibilities.

Role Focus Areas

Focus Area

Expected Capability

Business Outcome

Cloud Operations

Manage and support Azure infrastructure, monitoring, storage, compute, and patching activities.

Stable, secure, and scalable platform operations.

Database Reliability

Administer MSSQL workloads today and support PostgreSQL readiness for future releases, including tuning, maintenance, backups, and HA/DR.

Improved database performance, resiliency, and recoverability.

Patching & Maintenance

Plan and support SQL/database patching and operating system patching across Windows and Linux environments.

Improved security compliance and reduced operational risk.

Incident Response

Perform initial analysis, support P1/P2 triage, contribute to RCA, and improve runbooks.

Reduced MTTR and stronger production readiness.

Automation & Observability

Use PowerShell/Python, alert tuning, logging, dashboards, and Infrastructure-as-Code practices.

Better operational efficiency and proactive issue detection.

Engineering Collaboration

Reproduce issues, validate defects, and escalate with evidence to product engineering.

Faster defect resolution and improved customer experience.

Key Responsibilities Infrastructure & Platform Reliability

• Maintain highly available, reliable, and scalable cloud infrastructure in Microsoft Azure.
• Monitor platform health, review technical logs, and proactively address performance and availability issues.
• Improve infrastructure monitoring, alerting, and logging to support proactive reliability management.
• Plan, coordinate, and support operating system patching and maintenance activities across Windows and Linux servers.
• Ensure security updates, compliance patches, and platform upgrades are executed in line with change management processes while minimizing service disruption.
• Drive operational excellence through standardization, automation, and continuous improvement.
  
  

Database Administration & Performance Management

• Manage and support Microsoft SQL Server databases across production and non-production environments on Azure.
• Support PostgreSQL operational readiness and future PostgreSQL database support as selected databases move from MSSQL to PostgreSQL in upcoming releases.
• Troubleshoot and tune queries, SQL jobs, indexing, CPU, memory, I/O, and storage utilization.
• Implement and maintain backup, restore, high availability, disaster recovery, and routine database maintenance processes.
• Perform SQL Server and PostgreSQL database patching, upgrades, maintenance, and version lifecycle activities under enterprise change management processes.
• Use T-SQL and scripts for investigations, reporting, and controlled production data fixes under change control.
  
  

Incident Management & Technical Troubleshooting

• Investigate complex infrastructure, application, database, Windows, Linux, and Azure-related issues.
• Participate in incident response, perform initial technical analysis, and contribute to root cause analysis documentation.
• Reproduce customer-reported issues in staging or lab environments where required.
• Escalate verified product defects to engineering teams with clear technical evidence, logs, and impact analysis.
  
  

Automation, DevOps & Observability

• Create and maintain operational automation using PowerShell, Python, or equivalent scripting languages.
• Support Infrastructure-as-Code and configuration management practices using tools such as Terraform and Puppet.
• Collaborate on CI/CD and operational tooling improvements using platforms such as GitHub and Jenkins.
• Enhance monitoring and alert management practices for SaaS product operations.
  
  

Stakeholder & Customer Communication

• Collaborate closely with onsite DB SREs, application teams, platform teams, product support, and engineering.
• Provide clear and timely communication on issue status, technical findings, risks, and next steps.
• Join customer or onsite calls when required to explain technical findings and remediation actions.
• Update runbooks, knowledge base articles, troubleshooting guides, and operational documentation.
  
  

Required Qualifications Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in SRE, production operations, database administration, cloud infrastructure, or enterprise platform support.
• 2+ years of SaaS pipeline or SaaS product operations experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience managing Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure and cloud monitoring tools.
• 4+ years in Microsoft SQL Server-centric roles such as DBA, Production Support Engineer, or Database SRE in 24x7 environments.
• PostgreSQL exposure or willingness to support PostgreSQL environments as part of future platform modernization scope.
• Experience supporting SQL/database patching and operating system patching activities in controlled production environments.
• Willingness and ability to work night shifts or US time zone aligned support coverage when required.
  
  

Technical Skills Matrix

Skill Category

Preferred / Additional Qualifications

• Experience setting up, configuring, and improving monitoring and tooling for SRE/DevOps operations of a SaaS product.
• Experience supporting PostgreSQL databases in enterprise production environments.
• Experience with database migration, modernization, or coexistence initiatives involving Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL.
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL performance tuning, backup/recovery, replication, and high availability architectures.
• Experience with PagerDuty or similar incident notification and escalation platforms.
• Experience with Elasticsearch is a strong advantage.
• Ability to perform application debugging and collaborate effectively with Product Support, Platform, Database, and Engineering teams.
• Ability to conduct research, evaluate technology options, make recommendations, and maintain a high level of expertise in systems software and operational tooling.
• Strong understanding of compliance, policies, procedures, patching windows, and change control expectations in enterprise production environments.
  
  

Core Competencies

Independent technical troubleshooting

Customer-focused communication

Production incident ownership

Analytical thinking and RCA mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Operational discipline and documentation

Hiring / Screening Guidance

Candidate screening should prioritize strong MSSQL production operations and Azure infrastructure experience, while also considering PostgreSQL exposure or readiness due to upcoming platform releases where selected databases are expected to move from MSSQL to PostgreSQL. The role is best suited for an engineer who can combine database reliability, cloud operations, patching, automation, and incident response in a large-scale SaaS environment.

Strong Fit Indicators

Potential Red Flags

MSSQL DBA / production support background

Pure DevOps profile with limited database depth

Azure infrastructure operations experience

NOC/helpdesk-only background

PostgreSQL exposure or database modernization experience

Database developer with no production operations

SQL and OS patching experience in controlled environments

Cloud-only profile without MSSQL troubleshooting

Hands-on incident/RCA ownership

No exposure to controlled patching/change management

PowerShell/Python automation

Limited ownership in incident response

Comfortable with US time zone support

No willingness to support future PostgreSQL scope

Role Value Proposition

This role provides the opportunity to contribute directly to reliability, performance, security, and operational maturity for a large-scale enterprise SaaS platform. The selected candidate will support the current Microsoft SQL Server estate, help prepare for future PostgreSQL adoption, and work with modern cloud, database, automation, patching, and monitoring technologies while collaborating closely with experienced SRE, database, platform, support, and engineering teams.

QUALIFICATIONS

An individual with min bachelor degree or PG. Well versed with client facing roles. Expect great communication and presentation skills. Hands on experience on multi cloud environment handling SRE / Devops / SQL DBA operations and support at an enterprise client environments.