Job Description
Job Title: Senior Oracle / SQL Database Administrator (OT Environment)
Location: On site /Hybrid (3 Days Office) – Wokingham / Warwick.
Role Type: Senior / Lead Level
On Call Required SC Cleared / SC Eligible Mandatory ________________________________________
Overview
We are looking for a highly skilled Oracle / SQL Database Administrator with strong experience supporting databases inside Operational Technology (OT) environments. This role is responsible for ensuring the stability, integrity, security, and high availability of mission critical databases that support industrial control systems, SCADA, manufacturing execution systems (MES), historians, and real time plant operations.This is not a typical IT DBA role — it requires working within restricted, safety critical, and change controlled OT networks, ensuring compliance with cyber security, regulatory, and OT reliability standards.
________________________________________
Key Responsibilities
Database Administration & Operations
Administer, maintain, and optimize Oracle (12c/19c) and Microsoft SQL Server databases running within OT networks.
Perform installation, patching, configuration, backups, recovery, and performance tuning.
Manage database objects, storage, indexes, tablespaces, schemas, and user accounts.
Ensure 24/7 availability for critical OT applications with minimal downtime.
Operational Technology (OT) Support
Work with control engineers, SCADA teams, and plant operations to support databases tied to PLCs, DCS, historians, MES, and plant automation systems.
Support systems with limited maintenance windows, strict change control, and long lifecycle support requirements.
Troubleshoot database issues affecting real time operations, ensuring safety and plant uptime.
Performance & Reliability
Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks (ORA wait events, deadlocks, slow queries).
Implement high availability configurations (RAC, Always On, Log Shipping, Data Guard).
Conduct capacity planning to support long-term OT system stability.
Backup, Recovery, and Disaster Preparedness
Implement and manage RMAN, SQL backups, recovery strategies, point in time restores.
Ensure alignment with OT disaster recovery plans and regulatory compliance.
Participate in DR testing and resilience exercises.
Security & Compliance
Maintain hardened database configurations following OT cyber security frameworks (NIST, IEC 62443, ISO
Control access, privilege management, auditing, and logging.
Ensure patching is done in accordance with strict OT patch cycles and downtime rules.
Documentation & Change Management
Create detailed database architecture diagrams, SOPs, and deployment guides.
Follow stringent OT change management procedures for upgrades and modifications.
Maintain audit ready documentation for compliance and regulatory inspections.
________________________________________
Essential Skills & Experience
Technical Skills
7+ years hands on DBA experience with Oracle and SQL Server in production environments.
Strong proficiency in:
Oracle 12c/19c administration
SQL Server 2016+
RMAN, OEM, Data Pump, SQL Server Agent, SSIS/SSRS
Database performance tuning & query optimization
Experience supporting databases integrated with:
SCADA/DCS
MES
Industrial Historians (OSI PI, Wonderware, AspenTech)
Plant automation systems
OT-Specific Experience
Working knowledge of OT networks, segmentation, and security zones.
Awareness of OT constraints (limited bandwidth, legacy systems, stability requirements).
Experience working within safety critical or regulated environments such as:
Manufacturing
Oil & Gas
Utilities
Power Generation
Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences
Chemical processing
Soft Skills
Strong communication skills for plant operations and engineering teams.
Ability to work independently in isolated OT networks.
Incident response mindset with focus on safety and uptime.
________________________________________
Preferred Qualifications
Oracle OCP or OCM certification
Microsoft Certified: Database Administrator Associate
Understanding of IEC 62443, NIST 800 82, or OT cybersecurity frameworks
Experience with data replication between OT and IT zones
Experience with Linux/UNIX for Oracle environments
__________________________________
Mandatory Skills: MYSQL Database Admin .