Design, develop, and optimize complex SQL Server database solutions.
Write highly efficient, scalable, and maintainable T-SQL code, including advanced stored procedures, views, functions, and triggers.
Analyze execution plans, troubleshoot complex performance issues, and implement advanced indexing, partitioning, and query refactoring strategies to resolve critical bottlenecks in high-volume workloads.
Design robust, scalable relational data models (OLTP/3NF) and analytical structures optimised for data integrity, low-latency data access, and seamless reporting.
Ensure solutions reduce impact on transactional systems by optimising data access patterns and separating operational and reporting workloads.
Define and enforce strict standards for naming conventions, database design, and documentation; lead code reviews and champion SQL development best practices.
Mentor junior developers and engineers on advanced SQL optimization and relational modelling practices.
Work closely with backend application developers, BI teams, and business analysts to support data requirements.
Assist with and maintain existing data ingestion processes, providing SQL support for ETL/ELT pipelines and integrations where necessary.
Requirements
6+ years of deep, hands-on experience in complex T-SQL query development, advanced stored procedures, views, user-defined functions, and execution plan analysis.
Proven track record of diagnosing and resolving severe performance bottlenecks related to locking, blocking, deadlocks, and IO/memory optimization in large-scale SQL Server environments.
Mastery of indexing strategies (clustered, non-clustered, columnstore, filtered) and table partitioning to optimize massive datasets.
Deep expertise in designing highly normalised relational models (3NF/OLTP), with a strong understanding of dimensional modelling (star/snowflake schemas) as a secondary benefit.
Experience with ETL/ELT processes and data pipeline tools (e.g., SSIS, Azure Data Factory, dbt) is highly advantageous but considered a secondary requirement to core database development.
Familiarity with Azure SQL, Git, Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines for databases, or BI tools like Power BI/Tableau is a plus.