Sr. SQL Server Performance Engineer / DBA

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Senior SQL Server Performance Engineer / DBA with a strong focus on performance optimization (70%) and database administration (30%).

This is a performance-focused role, not a traditional DBA position. The ideal candidate can independently diagnose and resolve complex SQL Server performance issues, optimize T-SQL queries, and work directly with application developers to improve application performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Diagnose and resolve SQL Server performance issues, including slow queries, blocking, deadlocks, and resource bottlenecks.

• Optimize complex T-SQL queries, stored procedures, execution plans, and indexing strategies.

• Use Query Store, Extended Events, DMVs, and SSMS to investigate and resolve performance issues.

• Collaborate with application developers to troubleshoot application slowdowns and SQL-related issues.

• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term performance improvements.

• Support SQL Server production environments, including maintenance, deployments, backups, recovery, and scheduled weekend support.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on SQL Server experience, with significant focus on performance engineering and optimization.

• Advanced T-SQL development, query optimization, stored procedure tuning, and execution plan analysis.

• Proven experience independently diagnosing and resolving complex SQL Server performance issues.

• Strong understanding of SQL Server internals, including locking, blocking, deadlocks, memory, and I/O.

• Hands-on experience with SQL Server performance diagnostic tools.

• Experience troubleshooting database-related application issues alongside development teams.

• Solid production SQL Server DBA experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• SQL Server Always On, high availability, and disaster recovery.

• PowerShell scripting and database automation.

• Azure SQL or AWS RDS for SQL Server.

• Experience with high-volume transactional systems and CI/CD pipelines.