Senior Database Performance Engineer - SQL Server / AWS

Infused Solutions; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite in Birmingham

Significant ownership of database性能

Job summary

Infused Solutions in Birmingham is seeking a Senior Database Performance Engineer to own SQL Server performance across a large AWS environment. You will identify and resolve performance issues, optimise queries, and work with developers to implement scalable database solutions.

The role requires senior SQL Server expertise, experience with AWS-based SQL Server deployments and a proactive, analytical approach. Onsite, permanent position with strong ownership and autonomy.

Qualifications

• Senior SQL Server experience with multiple instances.
• Expert-level T-SQL and SQL optimizer knowledge.
• Strong understanding of execution plans, indexing and statistics.
• Experience managing multiple SQL Server instances rather than a single database.
• Solid understanding of Entity Framework and SQL generation.
• Experience proactively identifying and analyzing database performance issues.
• Experience with SQL Server on AWS (EC2 and/or RDS).
• Knowledge of AWS infrastructure affecting database performance.
• Experience with HA/DR such as Always On or Multi-AZ.
• Scripting experience with PowerShell or dbatools.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and improve SQL Server performance across multiple instances.
• Identify expensive queries, blocking, deadlocks, indexing issues, and resource pressure.
• Use Query Store, execution plans, DMVs and Extended Events to diagnose root causes.
• Compare database instances to identify performance outliers.
• Investigate how Entity Framework generates SQL and resolve EF-related issues.
• Collaborate with developers to implement performance improvements.
• Manage database changes including indexing, statistics, and configuration.
• Plan for database scalability as data grows.
• Advise on AWS infrastructure, sizing and performance vs cost.
• Support backup, recovery, HA/DR strategies and incident investigations.

Tools

SQL Monitor

SolarWinds DPA

Datadog

CloudWatch

Application Insights

dbatools

PowerShell

Job description

Location: Birmingham - OnsiteSalary: £60,000 - £65,000Type: Full-time, Permanent

Senior Database Performance Engineer - SQL Server / AWS

We are working with an established technology organisation that is looking for a Senior Database Performance Engineer to take ownership of SQL Server performance across a large AWS environment. This is a unique opportunity to become the sole database specialist, with significant ownership across database performance, scalability, optimisation and resilience. You won't simply be handed a list of tasks. You'll identify performance issues, investigate root causes, prioritise improvements and work closely with developers to implement and measure the impact of your recommendations.

The Role

You will be responsible for:

• Monitoring and improving SQL Server performance across multiple instances.
• Identifying expensive queries, blocking, deadlocks, indexing issues, execution plan regressions and resource pressure.
• Using Query Store, execution plans, DMVs and Extended Events to diagnose root causes.
• Comparing database instances to identify performance outliers and understand why they behave differently.
• Investigating how Entity Framework generates SQL and identifying performance issues such as N+1 queries and excessive data loading.
• Working closely with developers to implement application-level performance improvements.
• Managing database-side changes including indexing, statistics and configuration.
• Planning for database scalability as customers and data volumes grow.
• Advising on AWS infrastructure, database sizing and performance versus cost.
• Supporting backup, recovery, high availability and disaster recovery strategies.
• Leading database performance investigations during incidents.
• Building monitoring, dashboards and alerts to identify issues proactively.

What We're Looking For

You should have strong commercial experience as a SQL Server DBA, Database Performance Engineer or SQL Server Performance Specialist.

Essential experience includes:

• Strong SQL Server experience at senior level.
• Expert-level T-SQL and knowledge of the SQL Server query optimiser.
• Excellent understanding of execution plans, indexing and statistics.
• Experience managing multiple SQL Server instances rather than a single database.
• Strong understanding of Entity Framework and how it generates SQL.
• Experience proactively identifying database performance issues through monitoring and analysis.
• Experience working with SQL Server on AWS, including EC2 and/or RDS.
• Understanding of AWS infrastructure, storage and networking considerations affecting database performance.
• Experience with SQL Server HA/DR, such as Always On or Multi-AZ.
• Experience designing databases and applications to handle significantly larger data volumes.
• Scripting experience with tools such as PowerShell or dbatools.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work closely with developers.
• A self-starter who can independently identify priorities and drive improvements through to completion.

Desirable Experience

Experience with:

• Redgate SQL Monitor
• SolarWinds DPA
• Datadog / CloudWatch
• Application Insights
• EF Core logging / MiniProfiler
• Load testing
• Partitioning and data archiving
• Large-table management
• DACPACs, Flyway or Redgate deployment tools
• Microsoft or AWS database certifications

The Person

We are looking for someone who is methodical, analytical, curious and self-directed. You'll be someone who doesn't wait for users to report that something is slow. Instead, you'll proactively monitor the environment, identify issues, build an evidence-based case and work with the development team to resolve them. You'll also need to be comfortable challenging developers when the root cause sits within the application rather than the database, and be able to explain the problem clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What's on Offer?

• £60,000 - £65,000 salary
• Permanent position
• Birmingham - onsite
• Significant ownership and autonomy
• Opportunity to become the technical owner of database performance across the estate
• Direct influence over scalability, resilience and performance
• Opportunity to work across SQL Server, AWS and modern application architecture