Karthik Menon

Resume

Professional summary, experience timeline, skills, certifications, education, and major projects.

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.

Experience Timeline

SQL Database Administrator · Feathersoft INC

October 2023 - Present

Ontario, CA

  • Installed and configured SQL Servers (SQL 2012 to SQL 2022) and SQL Services.
  • Developed database backup scripts and automated monitoring scripts to address production issues.
  • Applied patches, service packs, and cumulative updates across multiple SQL Server versions.
  • Managed SQL Server instances on AWS EC2, RDS, and Azure.
  • Handled ETL processes and built dashboards using Elasticsearch.
  • Set up and maintained AWS services including EKS and ECS.
  • Created and maintained Databricks workspaces, including compute/resource utilization and billing dashboards.
  • Set up and managed SQL Sentry and Redgate SQL Monitor across the SQL Server estate, configuring alert thresholds, baselines, and escalation policies to catch performance and availability issues before they became incidents.
  • Designed and implemented an end-to-end CI/CD pipeline in Azure DevOps covering front-end, back-end, and database deployments, using build/release pipelines and state-based database projects to keep application and schema changes moving through environments in a controlled, repeatable way.
  • Designed a federated data-sharing architecture using Databricks Delta Sharing to let partner organizations query curated reference data without the underlying regulated data (for example clinical trial and other sensitive records) ever leaving its source environment - validated across cross-cloud scenarios where the querying application ran in one cloud (GCP) and the data owner's storage was in another (AWS S3).

MS SQL Database Administrator · Feathersoft Info Solutions Pvt Ltd

July 2015 - September 2023

Koratty, India

  • Installed and configured SQL Servers (SQL 2012 to SQL 2019) and SQL Services; set up SQL Agent jobs, backup scripts, and monitoring/alerting automation.
  • Applied patches, service packs, and cumulative updates to SQL Server and Windows Server.
  • Configured Database Mail, Linked Servers, Cell Level Encryption (CLE), Change Data Capture (CDC), and Change Tracking (CT).
  • Prepared status and activity metrics tracking DB service delivery, planned/unplanned outages, and key performance metrics.
  • Owned database backup strategy and recoverability, including point-in-time recovery.
  • Supported projects under PCI, HIPAA, and HITRUST security standards.
  • Managed cloud database infrastructure across AWS and Azure.
  • Configured and maintained Always On for both high availability and disaster recovery of critical business systems.
  • Configured AWS FSx, SQL RDS, and Azure SQL as part of cloud migrations.
  • Advised on disk, processor, and memory capacity planning.
  • Created and scheduled maintenance plans for index reorganization/rebuilds and statistics updates.
  • Identified and tuned long-running queries using DMVs, Extended Events, Redgate, and SQL Sentry.
  • Used SQL Server Profiler and Windows Performance Monitor to track database and application activity.
  • Implemented server/database-level security via Windows and SQL logins with appropriate roles and permissions.
  • Built reports using SSRS and gathered requirements directly from clients.
  • Provided 24x7 production support for database and application issues.
  • Worked with HL7 data and the Mirth integration engine.
  • Developed and tested automation using shell scripting.
  • Supported annual PCI scans and data extraction for other teams via the BCP utility.

Database Developer · Manappuram Finance Limited (MAFIL)

January 2014 - July 2015

Valapad, India

  • Maintained an Oracle Database 11g environment using PL/SQL.
  • Created functions, procedures, and triggers using PL/SQL.
  • Developed business reports using Crystal Reports.
  • Built packages, sequences, and real-time data extracts for management reporting.

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

Major Projects

  • SQL Server Health Check Toolkit

    A collection of T-SQL and PowerShell scripts that check CPU, memory, wait statistics, blocking, backups, and Availability Group health on SQL Server instances.

  • Password Manager: A Local Vault for My Passwords and Server Details

    An offline, encrypted desktop app for storing passwords and internal server details side by side - and linking the two together, so I never have to remember which credential goes with which box.

  • MariaDB Studio: A Personal SSMS-Style Tool for MariaDB

    A self-built web app that replaces a folder of ad-hoc backup/restore scripts and commands with a single SSMS-like interface for MariaDB - logical/physical backups, point-in-time recovery, replication monitoring, and a query editor.

  • Federated Clinical Data Sharing with Databricks Delta Sharing

    A proof-of-concept federated data architecture that lets healthcare and pharma partners query curated clinical trial reference data via Databricks Delta Sharing, without any regulated patient data ever leaving the partner's own cloud environment.

  • SQL Backup Validation Automation

    Automation that validates SQL Server backup reliability - not just that a backup file exists, but that it can actually be restored - and reports on the results.

  • SQL Server Migration Toolkit

    Scripts that automate migrating SQL Server logins, jobs, credentials, certificates, and database configuration between instances during upgrades and cloud migrations.

Need a PDF version? Please contact me and I'll be happy to send the latest copy.