VARINDER ARORA

Independent Contracted to State of Minnesota ( Completed Dec 2024)

Dec 2024 – May 2025, AI technologies on AWS and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), with a focus on large language models, vector search, and AI-driven data solutions. as well conducted training and mentorship in cloud database concepts

• Led end-to-end database architecture design and optimization across AWS and OCI platforms, ensuring secure, high-performance, and highly available database solutions in
• Administered and optimized enterprise-grade databases including Amazon RDS (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle), Aurora, Microsoft SQL Server 2019, and Oracle Exadata across hybrid cloud environments.
• Designed and implemented event-driven workflows using AWS Lambda, integrated with S3, SNS, and CloudWatch to automate backup validation, monitoring, and system alerting for RDS and Aurora.
• Executed cloud migration strategies from on-premise Oracle/SQL Server to AWS using DMS, Terraform, and custom scripting, enabling near-zero downtime transitions.
• Developed infrastructure as code templates using Terraform to provision and manage RDS/Aurora databases, VPC configurations, IAM roles, and monitoring dashboards.
• Implemented backup and disaster recovery strategies across Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server using RMAN, AWS Backup, S3, and Commvault, with routine DR drills and automated validation.
• Conducted performance tuning and root cause analysis (RCA) using AWR, ASH, SQL Trace, CloudWatch Metrics, and OEM 24ai, resulting in significant query optimizations and latency reduction.
• Enforced database security and compliance controls, including IAM policies, KMS-based encryption, TLS protocols, and adherence to SOX and HIPAA standards.
• Collaborated with application and DevOps teams to support CI/CD pipeline integrations, schema reviews, release readiness, and governance for production database changes.
• Mentored junior DBAs and cloud engineers, provided technical leadership in architecture reviews, and contributed to strategic decisions on platform scalability and modernization.

• Served as technical lead for a large-scale cloud transformation initiative, successfully migrating 100+ databases from on-premise infrastructure to AWS RDS, Aurora, and OCI, ensuring minimal downtime and data integrity.
• Managed hybrid and cloud-native database environments across AWS, OCI, and Exadata, optimizing availability, scalability, and performance across production and staging systems.
• Led automation of infrastructure provisioning using Terraform, streamlining deployments and enforcing consistency across environments.
• Developed event-driven automation using AWS Lambda, integrated with S3, RDS, and SNS for backup validation, alerting, and log processing.
• Built and maintained proactive monitoring dashboards with CloudWatch, enhancing operational visibility and reducing MTTR.
• Administered and tuned databases across PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server 2019, MongoDB, and Oracle Exadata, including performance optimization and backup strategy execution.
• Implemented enterprise-grade security frameworks including IAM, encryption, and compliance controls aligned with HIPAA and SOX requirements.
• Mentored junior DBAs and engineers, providing architectural guidance and peer reviews to ensure operational excellence and knowledge sharing.

• llaborated on technical designs and migration strategies for enterprise clients transitioning to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), including ODA, Exadata, ADW
• Delivered architecture reviews and PoCs covering Exadata RAC, Active Data Guard, ZFS storage, and Autonomous Database capabilities.
• Led performance tuning and capacity planning for MySQL and Oracle workloads, including I/O optimization, SQL tuning, and query profiling.
• Configured ASM disk groups, migrated legacy file system–based databases, and improved storage efficiency and scalability across production environments.
• Provided deployment guidance for Oracle Database Appliance (ODA) in mid-sized and distributed setups, aligning configurations with HA and DR goals.
• Partnered with product teams and infrastructure engineers to troubleshoot complex RAC and Data Guard issues, reducing escalations and improving uptime.
• Supported security and compliance design reviews, implementing solutions aligned with HIPAA, SOX, and enterprise governance policies.
• Engaged with pre-sales and engineering teams to deliver client-facing technical collateral, solution validation, and migration blueprints across verticals

• Led a team of DBAs and cloud engineers in delivering complex database migrations across on-prem, hybrid, and cloud environments.
• Managed cross-platform transitions involving SQL (Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases, ensuring minimal downtime and performance continuity.
• Designed and implemented automated frameworks for database migration, cloning, and refresh, improving delivery speed and reliability.
• Oversaw high availability and disaster recovery strategies using clustering, replication, and cloud-native solutions (GoldenGate, DataGuard, Always On).
• Directed database performance tuning, capacity planning, and environment optimization for high-volume transactional and analytical workloads.
• Ensured security compliance with HIPAA, SOX, and ISO standards through patching, hardening, and audit practices.
• Collaborated with engineering and product teams on scalable, secure data architecture and mentored junior team members on best practices

• Integrated hybrid cloud strategies using AWS (RDS, EC2, S3, CloudWatch) and IBM Cloud to modernize legacy systems and support analytical workloads.
• Designed and optimized data models for SQL databases (Oracle, SQL Server) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Cassandra) to ensure scalability, reliability, and efficient data access.
• Directed migration of 1,000+ databases to Oracle Exadata, resulting in significant infrastructure cost savings and improved performance.
• Performed performance tuning and capacity planning across distributed environments supporting both transactional and analytical use cases.
• Implemented secure AWS VPC architectures, IAM roles, and encryption to meet compliance and security standards.
• Established and enforced compliance frameworks ensuring HIPAA adherence across multi-site data warehouses and cloud-based storage platforms.

• Administered user roles, privileges, and access controls to enforce data security and operational integrity.
• Developed PL/SQL scripts and automated procedures for data migration, integration, and routine maintenance tasks.
• Performed database installations, upgrades, and patching across development, testing, and production environments.
• Monitored database health and performance using tools like AWR, ADDM, and OEM; tuned SQL queries and indexing strategies.
• Led root cause analysis and resolution of performance issues, availability incidents, and data integrity concerns.
• Managed backup and recovery strategies using RMAN, including validation testing and disaster recovery drills.
• Supported application development teams with schema design, stored procedures, and performance recommendations.

scalability.