Job Title: Infrastructure Architect
Location: Ireland
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: 6 months
Start Date: January 2026
The Infrastructure Architect will be responsible for designing and documenting a highly available Microsoft SQL Server 2022 environment, including clustered database infrastructure and disaster recovery capabilities. The role will also include providing technical leadership and planning support for the migration of existing SQL Server 2014 databases to the new platform, ensuring effective execution with minimal downtime and maximum performance.
Design and document a robust SQL Server 2022 Highly Available (HA) clustered architecture, incorporating technologies such as Always On Availability Groups and Failover Clustering.
Define infrastructure requirements across compute, storage, and networking to ensure performance, scalability, and resilience.
Establish security, compliance, maintenance, and backup standards in alignment with organisational policies.
Migration Planning & Execution
Assess the existing SQL Server 2014 environment, including application dependencies and operational constraints.
Create detailed migration plans including testing phases, risk assessments, and rollback strategies.
Execute database migrations ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and minimal service disruption.
Act as a subject matter expert, advising stakeholders on SQL Server technologies, performance optimisation, and high availability/disaster recovery best practices.
Work closely with application teams to validate compatibility and support post-migration performance and query optimisation.
Produce clear architecture diagrams, installation/configuration guides, and operational documentation.
Maintain detailed technical documents throughout the project lifecycle including migration learnings and runbooks.
Demonstrated experience architecting and implementing SQL Server HA solutions, ideally with SQL Server 2019/2022.
Strong understanding of Always On Availability Groups, Windows Server Failover Clustering, and associated replication technologies.
Experience planning and executing database migrations using recognised tools (e.g. Data Migration Assistant, SSIS).
Skilled in performance tuning, indexing strategies, troubleshooting, and query optimisation.
Familiarity with enterprise virtualisation platforms (e.g. VMware, Hyper-V).
Understanding of cloud environments such as Azure or AWS.
Strong appreciation of networking, storage, and security within enterprise infrastructure environments.
Excellent communication and documentation skills.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or equivalent.
Experience with hybrid cloud SQL deployments.
Knowledge of PowerShell for automation and scripting.
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
