Senior SQL Developer & Tech Lead (Azure)

Spott; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days holiday incl. bank holidays

Enhanced family leave

Death in service cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee recognition schemes

Job summary

We are seeking a Senior SQL Developer to take ownership of a Microsoft SQL Server environment, leading the design, development and optimisation of business-critical database solutions. You will provide technical leadership, mentor developers and deliver scalable, high-performance systems that support a growing business.

This role blends hands-on SQL development with team leadership in a collaborative environment, overseeing peak performance, security and availability across critical data assets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience developing and administering Microsoft SQL Server database solutions.
• Expert knowledge of T-SQL, including stored procedures, functions, views and performance optimisation.
• Strong experience with relational database design, ETL processes (SSIS or equivalent) and high-volume transactional databases.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimise SQL performance, including query tuning, execution plans, locking and deadlocks.
• Experience with SQL Server backup, recovery, disaster recovery and High Availability technologies (Always On Availability Groups, Log Shipping and Replication).
• Experience with Azure SQL Database and/or Azure SQL Managed Instance.
• Familiarity with Git, Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, PowerShell and SQL monitoring tools is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder communication skills.
• Previous experience mentoring or coaching junior developers and helping to drive development best practices.
• Experience providing technical leadership and contributing to technical strategy and solution design.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the design, development and ongoing enhancement of SQL Server database solutions.
• Serve as the technical expert for the SQL Server environment, driving best practices and providing guidance across the team.
• Maintain and optimise business-critical databases to ensure high levels of performance, security and availability.
• Develop and enhance complex stored procedures, functions, views and database integrations.
• Monitor database health and identify opportunities to improve performance, scalability and reliability.
• Investigate and resolve complex database issues, including performance bottlenecks, locking and data integrity challenges.
• Oversee database backup, recovery and disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity.
• Work closely with developers, analysts and key stakeholders to deliver robust technical solutions.
• Review code, uphold development standards and champion best practices across the team.
• Support project delivery through technical input, solution design and accurate effort estimation.
• Keep up to date with emerging technologies and recommend improvements to database architecture and development processes.

Skills

T-SQL

SQL Server

Performance tuning

SSIS ETL

Azure SQL

Always On

Replication

CI/CD

Git

DevOps

PowerShell

Tools

Git

Azure DevOps

CI/CD pipelines

PowerShell

SQL monitoring tools

Job description

We are seeking a Senior SQL Developer to take ownership of a Microsoft SQL Server environment, leading the design, development and optimisation of business-critical database solutions. You will provide technical leadership, mentor developers and deliver scalable, high-performance systems that support a growing business.

This role blends hands-on SQL development with team leadership in a collaborative environment, overseeing peak performance, security and availability across critical data assets.