Senior SQL Server Performance Engineer

Jobtailor; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United Kingdom is seeking a senior SQL Server specialist to analyze and optimize database schema, stored procedures, indexes and relationships. You will identify bottlenecks, locking issues and inefficient patterns.

You’ll refactor queries, educate developers on best practices, implement indexing strategies and governance, and contribute to documentation and change management. Experience with SQL Profiler, Extended Events and DMVs is highly valued.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with SQL Server (2016+)
• Proven experience in performance tuning and troubleshooting SQL locks, deadlocks, and query bottlenecks
• Deep knowledge of SQL, T-SQL, indexing strategies, and execution plans
• Experience in reverse engineering large-scale, legacy stored procedure logic
• Ability to communicate findings and improvement plans to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Nice to Have Experience with data modeling and schema redesign
• Familiarity with database monitoring tools (e.g., Redgate, SolarWinds, or SQL Sentry)
• Understanding of CI/CD practices for database changes
• Experience working in an Agile or DevOps environment

Responsibilities

• Analyze existing SQL Server schema, stored procedures, indexes, and relationships.
• Identify performance bottlenecks, frequent locking/blocking issues, and inefficient query patterns.
• Refactor and optimize poorly written SQL queries and stored procedures.
• Educate developers on writing performant SQL and best practices.
• Rationalize and refactor redundant or obsolete stored procedures and tables.
• Simplify overly complex joins and table relationships.
• Implement and monitor indexing strategies, query plans, and partitioning as needed.
• Use tools like SQL Profiler, Extended Events, and DMVs for diagnostics.
• Define and implement database standards and governance procedures.
• Contribute to database documentation and change management protocols.

Skills

SQL Server (2016+)

Performance Tuning

T-SQL

Indexing Strategies

Communication

Collaboration

Agile Environment

Tools

SQL Profiler

Extended Events

DMVs

Redgate

SolarWinds

SQL Sentry

Job description

Jobtailor in the United Kingdom is seeking a senior SQL Server specialist to analyze and optimize database schema, stored procedures, indexes and relationships. You will identify bottlenecks, locking issues and inefficient patterns.

You’ll refactor queries, educate developers on best practices, implement indexing strategies and governance, and contribute to documentation and change management. Experience with SQL Profiler, Extended Events and DMVs is highly valued.