About the group:
Cognizant’s Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services Practice (CIS), is all about accepting digital transformation by driving core modernization holistically across layers. We help customers transform infrastructure and workplace to meet the constantly evolving needs of the digital era. Our broad approach delivers key results for our customers by achieving cloud driven modernization and workplace and operational transformation to own the business in a secure environment.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
Role: SQL Patching Lead
Location: Toronto, ON
Experience 10+ years in SQL Server DBA/patching; 4+ years as tower/pod lead or SME owning patch cycles
ROLE SUMMARY
The SQL Server Patching Tower Lead (Onshore) is the primary SQL interface to client DBA L2/L3 and application owners during Canada hours. This role owns the SQL Server patch lifecycle — Cumulative Update (CU), GDR, and security patch cycles across 20,700+ instances — including Always On Availability Group rolling patches and Failover Cluster Instance sequencing. Deep SQL Server expertise combined with strong change governance and stakeholder coordination skills are essential.
ROLE IN THE OPERATING MODEL
▸ Tower/pod lead and SME for SQL patching — primary SQL interface to client DBA L2/L3 and application owners during Canada hours and weekend windows
▸ Coordinates application-owner sign-off post-patching; owns SQL tower compliance reporting to the Patch Service Lead
▸ Operates as SQL execution layer under client direction; database design and engineering remain client DBA L2/L3 owned
▸ Directs offshore SQL SMEs during onshore hours; manages escalation within agreed SLTs
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
▸ Plan and execute SQL Server Cumulative Updates (CU), GDR/security updates across all supported SQL Server versions in the estate
▸ Perform Always On Availability Group and Failover Cluster Instance rolling patching with correct node/instance sequencing
▸ Take pre-patch full/log backups, run health checks, validate post-patch, and roll back (CU uninstall/failback) on failure
▸ Track SQL CVEs, version currency, and EOL/EOS (e.g., SQL Server 2016/2019); maintain compliance posture and update CMDB/KEDB
▸ Coordinate with client DBA L2/L3 and application owners for sign-off; perform RCA for patch failures
▸ Author RFC/CAB submissions for SQL patch waves; coordinate change-window scheduling with client DB operations
▸ Own SQL tower compliance reporting; present KPIs to the Patch Service Lead for governance reviews
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE SCOPE
▸ Execute SQL Server CU, GDR, and security patch cycles across standalone, AG, and FCI deployments
▸ Perform AG rolling patching — secondary-first sequencing, availability group health validation, and primary failover
▸ Take pre-patch backups (full/log), validate database integrity, and execute post-patch smoke tests
▸ Roll back CU via uninstall or failback to pre-patched node if validation fails
▸ Track CVEs and EOL/EOS for all SQL Server versions; update CMDB with patch level and compliance status
▸ Author RFC/CAB documentation; coordinate maintenance window scheduling with DBA teams
▸ Develop and maintain PowerShell/dbatools automation scripts for repetitive patch pre/post checks
SKILLS, TOOLS & COMPETENCIES
Primary Skills
DB Platforms SQL Server 2014–2022 · Always On AG (rolling patch) · Failover Cluster Instance · SSRS/SSAS awareness
Patching CU/GDR/SP patch cycles · Cluster-aware rolling upgrade · CU uninstall rollback · Patch compatibility matrix
Automation PowerShell/dbatools · Ansible (Windows/SQL) · SQL Agent jobs · SSMS automation
ITSM & Vuln ServiceNow (Change/CMDB) · Tenable · Qualys · RFC/CAB · KEDB management
Observability SQL Server DMVs · Splunk · Dynatrace (DB modules) · Moogsoft
Secondary Skills
▸ T-SQL fundamentals and SSMS administration
▸ Azure SQL / Managed Instance awareness
▸ Windows Failover Clustering fundamentals
▸ SQL Server on Linux (RHEL) awareness
CERTIFICATIONS
Mandatory
▸ ITIL 4 Foundation
Preferred (one or more)
▸ Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)
▸ Legacy MCSA: SQL Server / MCSE: Data Management & Analytics acceptable
▸ Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) — advantageous
▸ Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation — plus (for patch automation)
NICE TO HAVE
▸ SQL patching experience in financial services with high-availability zero-downtime requirements
▸ Familiarity with SQL Server on VMware/Hyper-V and SQL Server on Linux
▸ dbatools PowerShell module experience for bulk SQL operations
WORK MODEL & COMMITMENT
Hours Canada business hours + weekend change window coverage
Shift Model Hybrid onshore; quarterly CU cycles and weekend maintenance windows
On-Call Yes — emergency SQL CVE response and AG failover events
Language English (mandatory)
Compensation: We are offering between $60,000 – $85,000. Applications will be accepted until Aug 21, 2026.Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
