Azure SQL Database Engineer

Azure SQL Database Engineer

Buffalo, NY (3 days onsite/2 days remote) 12+-month contract Web Cam Interview $70-$85/Hr on W2

NOTES FROM MANAGER/REQUIRED SKILLS & EXP.:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Azure SQL Database Engineer to manage, optimize, and secure our SQL databases hosted in Azure. This role will be integral to supporting a new middleware application that facilitates data flow to/from a SaaS hosted application, ensuring high availability, performance, and data integrity.

Skill Sets Required:

• Azure SQL Database (T-SQL, stored procs, schema design, TDE, Azure AD Auth)
• Azure Networking, Managed Identities, Security
• Database Design, Modeling, Performance tuning, optimization, query plan analysis, backup/restore

Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and maintain Azure SQL Databases to support middleware and other applications.
• Collaborate closely with Java middleware developers to optimize database interactions, queries, and schema designs for seamless integration and performance.
• Monitor database performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement tuning strategies (indexing, query optimization, resource scaling).
• Implement and manage database security, including user permissions, role-based access control, encryption (TDE), and network security.
• Plan and execute database backup and recovery strategies, ensuring data resilience and business continuity.
• Implement and manage high availability and disaster recovery solutions (e.g., Geo-replication, Availability Groups, Failover Groups).
• Troubleshoot and resolve database-related issues, including connectivity, performance, and data corruption.
• Automate database management tasks using Azure tools, PowerShell, or other scripting languages.
• Ensure compliance with data governance, privacy, and security standards.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Strong hands-on experience with Azure SQL Database
• Proficiency in T-SQL for complex queries, stored procedures, and schema design.
• Experience in database performance tuning, optimization, and query plan analysis.
• Experience with Azure SQL Database security features (TDE, Azure AD Authentication).
• Understanding of Azure Networking for secure database connectivity.
• Experience using Managed Identities for secure application access for databases.
• Familiarity with Azure Monitor for database monitoring and alerting.
• Solid understanding of relational database design and data modeling.
• Experience with database backup and restore procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with development teams.
• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills for database issues.

Education and Experience Required:

• Minimum of an Associate's degree and 5 years systems analysis/application development experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 7 years higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years systems analysis/application development experience.
• Familiar with application development software and hardware platforms.
• Proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent project management, word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Capable of working on multiple projects of a complex nature.
• Excellent problem-solving skills to assist in issue resolution.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with prior experience presenting to the target audience.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Detail-oriented.
• Strong lateral thinking skills.
• Experience coordinating between Applications and business units.
• Experience recommending and implementing systems solutions.
• Experience driving project milestones and delivery dates.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Good understanding of the Bank's application framework.
• Subject matter expert in business with knowledge or experience utilizing application/system being supported.
• Advanced understanding of applications supported with a sound knowledge of interfacing/integrated applications.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as autonomously.
• Ability to multitask for various components of complex projects.
• Action-oriented.
• Pro-active.
• Advanced knowledge and focus of the entire system to work on projects outside of normal business-as-usual (BAU).

Please provide candidates responses for ALL of the questions below to confirm they have ALL of the required skills/experience (please reply ASAP as submittals to our client are time sensitive):

• Do you reside in or near the Buffalo, NY or area to be onsite from day 1 for a hybrid work model, or open to relocation at your own expense to be onsite in a hybrid work model from day 1 (REQUIRED, NO EXCEPTIONS)?
• If hired, are you able to work on W2 without any issues?
• LinkedIn profile link?
• Yrs. of IT exp. overall?
• Yrs. of exp. as a Software Engineer II - Azure SQL Database Engineer?
• Yrs. of exp. w/ Azure SQL Database (T-SQL, stored procs, schema design, TDE, Azure AD Auth) (Required)?
• Yrs. of exp. w/ Azure Networking, Managed Identities, Security (Required)?
• Yrs. of exp. w/ Database Design, Modeling, Performance tuning, optimization, query plan analysis, backup/restore (Required)?
• Yrs. of exp. working specifically for banks and/or financial institutions?
• Do you possess a minimum of an Associate's degree and 5 years systems analysis/application development experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 7 years higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years systems analysis/application development experience. (required)?
• Do you possess exceptional communication skills (verbal/written)?