Karthik Menon
Karthik Menon Neelambaran

About

SQL Server Database Administrator based in Upland, California, USA.

Experience Summary

I design, operate, and troubleshoot SQL Server environments for production business systems - from on-premises installations to cloud migrations on AWS and Azure. My work centers on keeping databases reliable and recoverable, tuning performance, and automating the repetitive parts of database administration with PowerShell, T-SQL, and Python. Recently I've been applying AI-assisted engineering tools, including GitHub Copilot and Claude, to speed up scripting and explore new ways to support DBA workflows.

Technology Journey

I started as a database developer working with Oracle PL/SQL, then moved into full-time SQL Server administration in 2015. Over the following years I've supported production database platforms through server builds, patching cycles, security hardening, Always On configurations, and multiple cloud migrations to AWS and Azure. Along the way I picked up ETL processes, compliance work for PCI/HIPAA-regulated systems, and cloud infrastructure skills including AWS EKS/ECS and Databricks workspace administration.

Engineering Philosophy

  • Reliability first: backups, recovery point objectives, and monitoring are not optional extras.
  • Automate the repeatable parts of the job so time can go toward harder problems.
  • Measure before tuning - wait statistics and execution plans over guesswork.
  • Keep learning: cloud platforms, automation tooling, and now AI-assisted engineering.
  • Document and communicate clearly so on-call handoffs and audits are painless.

Skills

Database Administration

MS SQL Server MigrationsPerformance TuningQuery Optimization & Execution PlansIndexing StrategiesWait Statistics AnalysisBlocking & Deadlock TroubleshootingAlways On Availability GroupsBackup, Recovery & DR PlanningEncryption Keys, Certificates, Master KeysSQL Agent AutomationData Modelling & Design

Monitoring & Observability

SQL Sentry - Setup, Alert Policies & BaselinesRedgate SQL Monitor - Deployment & ConfigurationCustom Alert Thresholds & Escalation RulesExtended Events & Dynamic Management ViewsProactive Capacity & Growth Trend Monitoring

Cloud & Infrastructure

AWS EC2, RDS, FSxAWS EKS / ECSAzure SQL Database / Managed InstanceDatabricks WorkspacesDatabricks Delta Sharing (Federated Data Architecture)Windows Server AdministrationAWS Networking Fundamentals

Automation & Tooling

PowerShell ScriptingT-SQL QueryingPythonAzure DevOps CI/CD PipelinesSSRSETL ProcessesInternal Tooling (Flask / Full-Stack)Electron Desktop App Development

Compliance & AI-Assisted Engineering

PCI / HIPAA ComplianceGitHub CopilotClaude ModelsPrompt Engineering

Education & Certifications

Education

  • B.Tech, Computer Science

    Calicut University · 2008 - 2012

  • Class 12 (CBSE)

    Carmel Central School, India · 2006 - 2008

Certifications