ROMEO MAMBEL

Houston,Tx

Summary

Senior SQL DBA and Azure Data Platform Engineer with a strong track record in designing and migrating enterprise-scale data platforms in Azure and hybrid environments. Proficient in SQL Server, Azure SQL (Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database, Elastic Pools), SQL on Azure VMs, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Recognized for leadership in cross-team collaboration, executing large-scale cloud migrations, and implementing high availability and disaster recovery solutions. Experienced in cost optimization and mentoring teams in DBA and cloud engineering.

Overview

years of professional experience

Certification

Work History

Senior SQL DBA / Azure Data Platform Engineer

Motherlode Holding Company

, California

06.2021 - Current

Monitored and tuned database performance using index optimization and query plans, minimizing downtime for critical medical services through proactive database performance tuning.
Led the design, migration, and stabilization of enterprise-scale SQL Server, Azure SQL, MySQL, and PostgreSQL platforms across Azure and hybrid environments, supporting high-availability, compliance-driven workloads with zero unplanned downtime post-migration.
Architected and implemented end-to-end HA/DR and BCDR solutions using Always On Availability Groups, Geo-Replication, Azure Site Recovery, and Recovery Services Vaults, achieving RPO/RTO targets aligned with business SLAs.
Developed and deployed process automation frameworks using PowerShell and T-SQL to standardize database provisioning, security enforcement, backup validation, health checks, failover readiness, and post-incident remediation—reducing manual DBA effort by over 40%.
Designed and enforced enterprise security and compliance controls, including RBAC, least-privilege access models, Transparent Data Encryption, Always Encrypted, Dynamic Data Masking, and Azure Key Vault–based secrets management.
Implemented auditing and compliance monitoring for SQL Server and Azure SQL platforms, enabling traceability of privileged access, schema changes, and operational activities to meet internal governance and regulatory requirements.
Led Azure identity integration initiatives using Microsoft Entra ID, Managed Identities, and Entra Connect to eliminate shared credentials and strengthen authentication across data platforms.
Built centralized monitoring, alerting, and observability solutions using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Azure Insights, DBWatcher, and custom dashboards.
Delivered capacity planning and cost optimization strategies across DTU and vCore compute models, leveraging Azure Cost Management and Pricing Calculator to reduce ongoing database infrastructure spend while maintaining performance SLAs.
Led and executed large-scale database migrations and modernization programs, covering discovery, assessment, remediation, cutover, and optimization for IaaS and PaaS workloads, ensuring seamless transition for application teams.
Designed and implemented secure Azure network architectures (VNets, NSGs, Private Endpoints, Application Gateways, Load Balancers), significantly reducing attack surface for data platforms.
Established standardized operational runbooks, audit-ready documentation, and governance frameworks, improving platform reliability, audit readiness, and cross-team consistency.
Acted as senior technical authority and mentor, guiding DBA and cloud engineering teams, setting architectural standards, and serving as the escalation point for complex production incidents.
Monitored all databases and implemented continuous performance tuning and resource utilization strategies, resulting in a 30% improvement in query response times.
Resolved complex database integration and migration issues using Azure Data Migration Service and Azure Arc-enabled services, ensuring seamless launches of new applications with zero downtime and improved system reliability.
Researched and recommended Azure tools, including Azure Arc and Azure Site Recovery, leading to a more modern infrastructure and a 30% increase in database reliability.
Achieved significant cost savings exceeding $50,000 by strategically transitioning development servers from Enterprise editions to SQL Server Developer edition, effectively reducing licensing expenses.
Initiated development of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) and guided senior management in using it to set clear performance standards, leading to improved alignment between business goals and service.

Sr. SQL Database administrator

Bealls, Inc

, Florida

03.2018 - 05.2021

Serve as a Senior SQL DBA and Azure Data Platform Engineer, providing end-to-end administration, architecture, and operational support for mission-critical SQL Server workloads across Azure and hybrid environments.
Design, deploy, and manage SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, Azure SQL Managed Instances, Azure SQL Databases, and Elastic Pools, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, security, and cost efficiency.
Architect and administer high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) solutions using Always on Availability Groups, Geo-replication, Azure Site Recovery (ASR), Backup & Restore, and Recovery Services Vaults, meeting strict RPO/RTO requirements.
Lead capacity planning and performance optimization initiatives across vCore and DTU compute tiers, including workload right-sizing, storage optimization, and proactive growth forecasting.
Perform large-scale SQL Server and data platform migrations to Azure, including assessment, discovery, compatibility analysis, remediation planning, and execution, leveraging Azure native tools and best-practice frameworks.
Implement and manage Azure networking and security architectures including VNets, Subnets, NSGs, Private Endpoints, Azure Firewall integrations, and secure service connectivity for data platforms.
Integrate Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) authentication and role-based access control (RBAC) with SQL services, enforcing least-privilege access and enterprise identity governance.
Secure sensitive data and credentials using Azure Key Vault, implementing encryption, secrets management, certificate rotation, and compliance-aligned security controls.
Manage Azure Storage solutions (Blob, File, Disk) for SQL workloads, including backup storage, performance tuning, redundancy strategies, and cost optimization.
Monitor and troubleshoot SQL and Azure environments using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Azure Insights, DBWatcher, and custom telemetry, enabling proactive incident detection and resolution.
Build and maintain Azure Dashboards and monitoring views for executive and operational visibility into system health, performance trends, and cost consumption.
Administer and support SSIS and SSRS workloads across on-premises and Azure environments, including catalog management, deployments, performance tuning, and high availability considerations.
Design and manage Azure Data Factory (ADF) pipelines with Self-Hosted and Azure Integration Runtimes, supporting hybrid data movement, ETL/ELT workloads, and enterprise data integration.
Implement and manage Azure VM Scale Sets and automation strategies to support scalable SQL and data processing workloads.
Perform cost analysis and optimization using Azure Pricing Calculator, Azure Cost Management, and Management Groups, ensuring alignment with budgetary controls and financial governance.
Enforce Azure governance standards using Management Groups, Resource Groups, tagging strategies, policies, and best-practice operational frameworks.
Act as a technical lead and trusted advisor, collaborating with application teams, cloud architects, network/security teams, and leadership to design resilient, secure, and scalable data solutions.

SQL Database administrator

IHeart Media

San Antonio, Tx

10.2015 - 02.2018

Collaborated with development teams to optimize SQL queries, improving application performance and user experience.
Architected and scaled Azure SQL Managed Instance + SQL Server 2008–2022 ecosystems supporting 400+ production systems, standardizing build patterns, connectivity, maintenance policies, and operational controls to strengthen stability and enterprise readiness across corporate and restaurant operations.
Owned end-to-end database reliability engineering (capacity planning, baseline performance, patch cadence, and proactive remediation), improving platform uptime and reducing repeat incidents through consistent runbooks, operational metrics, and standardized triage playbooks.
Led advanced performance tuning for high-throughput OLTP workloads using Query Store, execution plan analysis, index redesign, statistics strategy, TempDB improvements, and concurrency fixes—reducing latency and improving response time for business-critical finance, ordering, and supply chain workloads.
Designed and executed Always On AG, log shipping, and multi-region DR strategies (including DR runbooks, failover testing, and recovery validation), improving recovery readiness, tightening RTO/RPO expectations, and aligning execution with audit and SOX resilience requirements.
Built automation for patching, backups, integrity checks, index/stat maintenance, and alert response using PowerShell and Azure Automation, reducing manual effort, improving consistency of production hygiene, and lowering operational noise from preventable issues.
Led administration and modernization of multi-terabyte SQL Server environments (2012–2017) ensuring stable operations during peak seasonal demand and high-volume business cycles.
Executed large-scale migrations and consolidations using failover clustering, controlled cutovers, SSIS-based movement, and validation, reducing downtime exposure and improving platform resilience while modernizing legacy systems and dependencies.
Delivered deep performance improvements using DMVs, Profiler, Idera, and indexing strategy, resolving blocking chains, deadlocks, and inefficient query patterns while improving throughput and responsiveness for store operations and merchandising teams.
Planned and executed SQL Server upgrades (2008→2016), implementing hardened configurations, patch governance, and environment baselines, improving security posture and reducing operational risk across production platforms.
Strengthened compliance and access governance using Active Directory integration, RBAC, auditing, least privilege patterns, and segmentation, supporting SOX-aligned controls and improving traceability for sensitive business and operational data.
Delivered automated solutions with Azure DevOps, PowerShell, and Azure Automation that streamlined deployment and management of Azure SQL and Snowflake databases, boosting throughput and reducing costs by over 20%.

Education

Bachelor’s - Computer Science And Information Technology

University of Buea

Cameroon

01.2015

Skills

SQL Server and Azure SQL Database
High availability and disaster recovery
Cost and performance tuning
MySQL and PostgreSQL administration
Azure Data Factory and Synapse Analytics
Azure storage and automation
Monitoring and observability
Incident management strategies
Backup and recovery solutions
Performance engineering techniques
Query optimization strategies

Database migration planning
Security and compliance measures
Identity management solutions
Encryption strategies for data protection
Networking architecture design
Cross-team leadership and mentorship
Collaboration and communication
Load balancing
Virtualization technologies
Infrastructure as Code