Senior Cloud Engineer - Azure SQL

UBDS Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UBDS Group is seeking an experienced Senior Cloud Engineer with strong SQL Server and Azure SQL expertise to drive complex database migrations and modernisation across Azure environments. You will work with Cloud Architects, Engineers and delivery teams to assess databases, plan migrations and ensure secure, reliable platforms.

This hands-on role focuses on database platform engineering, migration, optimisation and automation within Microsoft Azure, with collaboration across application,

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL.
• Experience delivering complex database migrations to Microsoft Azure.
• Strong SQL development skills (T-SQL, stored procedures, queries).
• Experience with database discovery, assessment and dependency analysis.
• Experience planning end-to-end database migrations.
• Understanding of data migration, schema migration and validation.
• Experience with database performance tuning and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines and automated deployments.

Responsibilities

• Undertake database discovery and assessment across SQL Server environments.
• Plan and deliver SQL Server and Azure SQL migrations including schema and data migration.
• Perform data validation to ensure successful migration outcomes.
• Troubleshoot and optimise database performance, availability and reliability.
• Support stabilisation, remediation and post-migration improvements.
• Integrate database activities into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines.
• Produce migration plans, risk assessments and governance documentation.
• Collaborate with architecture and infra teams to resolve dependencies.

Skills

SQL Server

Azure SQL

T-SQL

Data migration

CI/CD

DevOps

Problem solving

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Azure DevOps

Terraform

Bicep

PowerShell

Job description

At UBDS, we help organisations transform through cloud, cyber security, AI and digital innovation. We are looking for an experienced Senior Cloud Engineer with strong SQL Server and Azure SQL expertise to support complex cloud migration and modernisation programmes.

This is a hands-on technical role focused on database platform engineering, migration and optimisation within Microsoft Azure environments. You will work closely with Cloud Architects, Engineers and delivery teams to assess existing database environments, plan and execute migrations, and ensure secure, reliable and high-performing database platforms.

What You'll Do

• Undertake database discovery and assessment activities across existing SQL Server environments.
• Identify database dependencies, integrations, data flows and migration constraints.
• Plan and deliver SQL Server and Azure SQL migrations, including schema and data migration.
• Perform data validation and reconciliation to ensure successful migration outcomes.
• Troubleshoot and optimise database performance, availability and reliability.
• Support database stabilisation, remediation and post-migration improvements.
• Provide database platform engineering expertise across cloud migration workstreams.
• Support database automation and Infrastructure as Code activities.
• Integrate database deployment and migration activities into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines.
• Work closely with application, infrastructure and architecture teams to resolve technical dependencies.
• Produce technical documentation, migration plans, risk assessments and improvement recommendations.
• Identify technical debt and contribute to database modernisation and continuous improvement.
• Work within structured, agile delivery environments, supporting governance and technical assurance.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL.
• Proven experience delivering complex database migrations into Microsoft Azure.
• Strong SQL development skills, including T-SQL, stored procedures, queries and database objects.
• Experience with database discovery, assessment and dependency analysis.
• Experience planning and executing end-to-end database migrations.
• Strong understanding of database schema migration, data migration and validation.
• Experience with database performance tuning, optimisation and troubleshooting.
• Good understanding of database architecture, security, permissions and data integrity.
• Experience supporting production database platforms and resolving complex technical issues.
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines and automated deployments.
• Understanding of Infrastructure as Code and database automation approaches.
• Experience working within structured migration or transformation programmes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder communication skills.

Desirable Experience

• Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database and SQL Server on Azure VMs.
• Azure cloud migration and application modernisation programmes.
• Terraform, Bicep or other Infrastructure as Code technologies.
• PowerShell or Python scripting for database automation.
• Database migration and assessment tooling.
• DevOps-led database platform engineering practices.
• Experience with enterprise-scale application transformation programmes.
• Experience working within Government, Defence or other regulated environments.
• Relevant Microsoft Azure or SQL Server certifications.

Security Clearance

Due to the security requirements of the assignment, candidates must hold current Security Check (SC) clearance prior to commencing the role and be able to maintain the required clearance for the duration of the assignment.

The Opportunity

This role would suit an experienced Cloud or Database Engineer with strong SQL Server expertise who enjoys complex migration challenges and modernising enterprise database environments.

You will play a key role in delivering cloud transformation programmes, helping customers migrate, optimise and stabilise critical database platforms while working alongside experienced cloud, engineering and architecture specialists.