From DBA to Data Engineer: Navigating the Evolution of Roles in Modern Cloud and Data Platforms

The IT landscape has undergone dramatic changes in recent years, reshaping traditional roles and introducing new responsibilities. Among the most impacted positions is the Database Administrator (DBA). With the rise of cloud computing, automation, and modern data platforms, DBAs are no longer confined to reactive maintenance tasks—they are evolving into strategic Data Engineers who drive innovation and enable data-driven decision-making.
This presentation explores the journey from DBA to Data Engineer, highlighting the skills, technologies, and mindset shifts required to thrive in today’s dynamic environment.
Key Highlights:


The Evolution of Database Technologies
Understand how emerging technologies, cloud adoption, and automation have transformed database management.


Changing Role of the DBA
Learn how DBAs are moving from reactive troubleshooting to proactive strategy, becoming integral to data architecture and analytics initiatives.


Why DBAs Still Matter in the Cloud
Even with PaaS and DBaaS solutions, DBAs play a critical role in governance, optimization, and security.


Modern Data Platforms & Emerging Data Types
Explore how enterprises are adopting new platforms to handle structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.


Skills for the Future
Discover the technical and analytical skills DBAs need to transition into Data Engineering roles, including cloud expertise, scripting, and data pipeline development.


Why This Matters
Organizations are increasingly reliant on data to drive business outcomes. As Gartner reports, accelerating digital transformation requires skilled professionals who can manage and optimize complex data ecosystems. DBAs who embrace this evolution will remain indispensable, shaping the future of enterprise data strategy.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the evolution of database technologies and their impact on DBA roles.
Learn how to transition from DBA to Data Engineer effectively.
Explore the importance of DBAs in cloud environments.
Gain insights into the skills and tools required for modern data engineering.

Whether you’re a DBA looking to future-proof your career or an IT leader planning workforce transformation, this session provides actionable guidance to navigate the changing dynamics of data management.
👉 Download the full presentation and learn more here:
https://www.datavail.com/resources/from-dba-to-data-engineer/

1. From DBA to Data
Engineer:
The Strategic Role of
DBAs in the Cloud

2. www.datavail.com 2
15 years IT Services
Experience
BSBA Computer Information Systems –Western New
England University
AWS Cloud Practitioner Certified
Certified Scrum Master
ITIL Foundations Certified
S
Steve
Doughty
Director of Solution
Development,
Datavail

3. www.datavail.com 3
Blast Off!
Fill out the evaluation
form for a chance to
win a LEGO NASA
Space Shuttle
Discovery!

4. www.datavail.com 4
Why Datavail for Cloud Databases?
Strong Partnerships
AWS, Azure, Oracle, MongoDB
15 years managing and
optimizing databases
Low Offshore Turnover
(<8% vs industry avg 31%)
1000+ Data, Analytics and
Development experts
World Leaders with 200,000+ Dband
200+ Petabytesof data under management
Relationship Focused
(700 active clients in N. America)
200+ cloud migrations and
50+ modernizations in the past 2 years
Database Experts avg
20 years experience
Averageclient relationshipof
7+ years
Cloud & Data LeadersExperience & Trust Longevity

5. www.datavail.com 5
Datavail Services
Project Services
Health Checks &
Assessments
Upgrades Data Migration Cloud Migrations
Development, Tuning, Automation Data Warehouse Build & Optimize
DevOps (Deploy & Automate)
Data Development Services
24x7 In-Office Coverage
Monitoring & Incident
Response w/ SLAs
Service Requests
(Patch, Modify, etc.)
Multi-factor Monitoring
Proactive Services
(Health, Tune)
Structured Service Review
Operational Managed Services

6. www.datavail.com 6
Datavail Cloud Provider Partnerships
Advanced Tier Partner
11+ years experience
100+ AWS Certified Consultants
250+ AWS Migrations, Modernizations
Windows (Microsoft) Workload Competency,
One of top 5 Windows partners
Oracle Services Competency, 1 of top 10 Oracle App partners
1 of top 10 Database Specialist Partners (Open Source / NoSQL)
1 of 3 partners selected to deliver Aurora Optimizations
Service Delivery Partner –Amazon EC2, RDS,
Aurora
Launch partner for Babelfish(SQL Server
to Aurora)
1 of top 50 Analytic partners
Azure Partner
19+ years of experience
Data + AI Solution Partner
Digital and App Innovation Solution Partner
550+ Microsoft Consultant Certifications
Recognized in 2017 by Microsoft as Cloud for Global Good Partner
of the Year
1 of 5 partners for Oracle App
Workloads to Azure Program
Selected as a go to partner for NoSQL databases
Strong expertise in cloud analytics and data management
Strong expertise in app modernization
Oracle Application partner for Fusion Apps (ERP, SCM, HCM, CSX, EPM)
Legacy Application partner for EBS, Hyperion, JDE, PeopleSoft, Essbase,
Weblogic
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Partner
17+ years of experience
18 –Specializations
MySQL Expertise Badge
300+ Oracle Certifications
Certified Cloud Excellence Implementor
for EPM
Regularly selected by Oracle to present at Industry Conferences
Selected by Telecom Eq Manufacture for one of the largest Oracle Cloud
implementations for ERP, EPM, SCM, HCM

7. www.datavail.com 7
Datavail Open-Source Database Expertise
17+ years of experience
Top 5 AWS Aurora MySQL partners
1 of 3 partners selected by AWS to deliver
Amazon Aurora Optimizations
Selected by Microsoft as go to partner for Azure for MySQL
Extensive expertise for modernizations from SQL Server to MySQL
Performed a large number of cloud migrations & upgrades from Community Edition to Enterprise
Oracle MySQL Expertise Badge
24x7 Managed Services
5+ years of experience
Top 5 AWS Aurora PostgreSQL partner
AWS launch partner for Babelfish
(SQL Server to Aurora)
Selected by Microsoft as go to partner for Azure for PostgreSQL
Extensive expertise in Oracle to PostgreSQL modernizations
Performed a large number of cloud
migrations
24x7 Managed Services
8+ years of experience
MongoDB premier partner
MongoDB approved PS subcontractor
Selected by Microsoft as a go to partner for NoSQL databases
Extensive expertise in Migrations from MongoDB Community edition to Enterprise and Atlas
Expertise in helping customers evaluate and select and implement the best NoSQL platform
(MongoDB, Cassandra, AWS DynamoDB, AWS
DocumentDB, Azure CosmosDB)
Architecture, upgrades, performance tuning
24x7 Managed Services
Amazon
RDS
Amazon
Aurora
Amazon
DynamoDB
Amazon
EC2
Amazon
DocumentDB
Azure Databases
for PostgreSQL
Azure Databases
for MySQL
Azure Databases
for MariaDB
Azure
Cosmos DB
Cloud Platform Open-Source Database Expertise

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Agenda
DBA of the
Future
0401
Database
Challenges
02
Evolution of
Cloud
Evolution of
DBA Role with
Cloud
03

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Database Challenges Today
Agility & Innovation
•Speed of Deployment
(Both Infrastructure and Code)
Cost & Efficiency •Reduced Operational Costs
and Complexity
•Workforce Productivity
Reliability
•Guaranteed SLAs for
Different Services
•HA and DR Needs
Scalability
•Rapid Scale Down
and Scale Up
•Seasonal Scaling Security

10. www.datavail.com 10
Cloud is here and the future
Hybrid Cloud and Multi-Cloud approaches
IaaS vs PaaS vs DBaaS
Monolithic vs Microservices
Diverse Data Architectures with Relational,
Big Data, Analytics, Caching, Graph, Ledger,
Time Series, etc.
Databases on Containers
Push to move to Open-Source Databases
(MySQL, PostgreSQL)
Evolution of Cloud & Databases

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Evolution of DBA Roles to the
Cloud
Reactive DBAOperational Response
Keep the Lights On
Infrastructure
Management
Alert Response Focused
Managing Database within Hardware Limits
Strategic DBA
Architectural Consultants
Growth Focused
Design and Architecture
Discussions
Cloud Migration Strategies/Approach
Automation
Prepare for New Technologies and Challenges

12. www.datavail.com 12
DBA of the Future
Can work in multiple Cloud Platforms
Adds the following to their skills:
•Provisioning cloud databases
•Understands more infrastructure related tasks
•More focused on architecture, tuning, and security
•Working in agile DevOps Teams
•Containers
Obtains and maintains certifications to stay competitive in the
market
Focuses on their companies or customer’s goals and helps to attain them using cloud native tools
Is flexible enough to learn and move to the next cloud innovation

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DBA Opportunities
Align Goals with
Business
Align Goals with
Future Career
Train & Develop Your
Skills
Master the
Cloud
What can current DBAs do to help
future proof their careers?
•Data Architect
•Data Engineer
•Data Analytics, Data Scientist
•Database Migration Specialist
•Database Security Specialist
•Expand skills with cloud certifications
Consider Partnering - Form a
strategic partnership with a
Managed Service Provider (MSP)
Enables you and team to focus on
internal strategic projects and
initiatives
Diversify
Database Platforms

14. www.datavail.com 14
Blast Off!
Fill out the evaluation
form for a chance to
win a LEGO NASA
Space Shuttle
Discovery!

15. www.datavail.com 15
The Latest Trends in Database Cloud
Modernization –C201
Thursday 5/11/23 10:45 – 11:30 am
Presenter: Michael Agarwal, Cloud DB
Practice Leader, Datavail
Learn about the latest trends in database cloud modernizations, including the cloud-native databases offered by AWS
& Azure. This session will help you pick the right database for your applications.
Taking Your Data & Analytics to the
Cloud –B202Thursday 5/11/23 11:45 am –12:30 pm
Presenter: Tom Hoblitzell, VP Data
Management, Datavail
Learn how companies moving their BI and analytics workloads must now approach their methods of designing, developing, and delivering data analytics in a unique way.
Check Out Our Other Presentations Tomorrow

16. www.datavail.com 16
Thank You
Steve Doughty
Director of Solution Development
Datavail.com