SQL Server Developer

Readerlink Distribution Services; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life and Accident Insurance

Vacation Pay and Holidays

401(k) with Company Match

Author Events

Publisher-sponsored Book Club

Job summary

ReaderLink seeks a SQL Server Developer at our Oak Brook, Illinois corporate headquarters to develop and support SQL Server database solutions, ETL/ELT processes, and enterprise data warehouse initiatives.

The role requires strong T-SQL, data integration, and experience with Databricks and modern cloud data platforms. You will also assist with SQL Server administration, backup verification, and collaborate with business and technical teams in a cross‑functional environment.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience required.
• 5–8 years MS SQL Server development experience.
• Strong T-SQL, complex queries, and optimization.
• ETL/ELT development and data integration experience.
• Experience with data warehousing and dimensional modeling.
• Independent issue analysis and production troubleshooting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools and communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and optimize SQL Server stored procedures, views, and functions.
• Design, develop, and support ETL/ELT processes for data integration.
• Build data ingestion, incremental loading, validation, and data quality processes.
• Analyze and resolve data, ETL, and database issues end-to-end.
• Maintain objects, schema changes, and scripts with version control.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Assist with SQL Server administration, backup verification, and tuning.
• Support Databricks data engineering initiatives and cloud platforms.
• Prepare deployment plans, status reports, and concise documentation.

Skills

Strong T-SQL

ETL/ELT

Data warehousing

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Excel/Office

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS or related field

Tools

MS SQL Server

Databricks

Azure

PowerShell

Delta Lake

Spark SQL

Job description

ReaderLink. We Link. Publishers. Books. Retailers. Customers.

We are North America’s largest book distributor, with over 70,000 customer store locations. We move over 325,000,000 books annually and work with over 700 retailers and 500 publishers. If you want to end every day knowing that you helped deliver a book to readers across America, let’s talk. We are recruiting for a SQL Server Developer role based out of our corporate headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois.

The SQL Server Developer will develop and support SQL Server database solutions, ETL/ELT processes, and enterprise data warehouse initiatives. This role requires strong SQL development and data integration skills to deliver reliable and scalable data solutions. The position will also assist with SQL Server administration, provide backup DBA support as needed, and have opportunities to work with Databricks and modern cloud data platforms.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Develop, maintain, and optimize SQL Server stored procedures, views, functions, and advanced T-SQL solutions.
• Design, develop, and support ETL/ELT processes for enterprise data integration and transformation.
• Build and maintain data ingestion, incremental load, reconciliation, data validation, and data quality processes.
• Independently analyze, solve, and correct data, ETL, and database-related issues, providing end-to-end problem resolution.
• Maintain database objects, schema changes, and scripts using version control systems such as Azure DevOps.
• Follow established team standards. For any gap, recommend new or updated standards and proactively identify areas for improvement.
• Document and update technical documentation, operational procedures, and support runbooks when appropriate.
• Take ownership, support, and follow-through of assigned deliverables, adjusting well to changes in priority.
• Demonstrate a willingness and commitment to learn.
• Develop accurate estimates of effort and timelines.
• Ensure that all assignments are completed accurately and within approved delivery schedules.
• Support enterprise data warehouse development, including dimensional modeling, reporting solutions, and data integration initiatives.
• Assist with query tuning, performance optimization, and schema refinement.
• Support Databricks data engineering initiatives, including data pipeline development, testing, and deployment activities.
• Assist with SQL Server database administration activities, including monitoring, maintenance, security, backup verification, and troubleshooting.
• Serve as a backup resource for database administration support during planned absences, vacations, and off-hours support rotations.
• Work closely and effectively with business and technical teams in a cross-functional and cross-matrixed business and technical environment.
• Support release deployment activities, testing, and production implementations as required.
• Other duties may be assigned, directed, or requested.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor's degree (Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field) or equivalent experience is required.
• Five (5) to eight (8) years of MS SQL Server development experience is required.
• Strong T‑SQL programming experience, including complex queries, joins, views, stored procedures, functions, and query optimization are required.
• Strong experience developing and supporting ETL/ELT processes and enterprise data integrations is required.
• Experience with data ingestion, incremental loading, data validation, and data quality processes is required.
• Experience with enterprise data warehousing and dimensional modeling is required.
• Ability to independently analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve SQL, ETL, data, and production‑related issues is required.
• Strong to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.
• Experience with SQL Server performance tuning, indexes, index management, and optimization is preferred.
• Experience with Databricks, Spark SQL, Delta Lake, and modern cloud data platforms is preferred.
• Experience with PowerShell scripting and automation is preferred.
• Experience with SQL Server administration, security, backup/recovery, and maintenance is preferred.
• Experience with MS Azure is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, critical‑thinking, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to anticipate and proactively address issues.
• Ability to effectively present technical concepts and information to non‑technical audiences.
• Strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills are essential.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to speak with all levels of the organization and outside partners.
• Ability to communicate complicated information to others.
• Ability to prepare concise yet sufficiently detailed written communications, including documentation, deployment plans, status reports, and meeting notes, for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Must be proficient in basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to do algebra, calculate figures and amounts, and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• A methodical and organized approach to problem‑solving.
• The work performed is in an office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at low decibels.
• Must be able to work in a fast‑paced, team environment.
• Other duties may be assigned, directed, or requested.

Salary: $115,000 - $140,000.

Employee Benefits Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Health Plans -Medical, Dental & Prescription
• Flexible Spending Accounts -Health & Dependent Care
• Life and Accident Insurance
• Vacation Pay & Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Author Events
• Publisher-sponsored Book Club

ReaderLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability. EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran.

ReaderLink is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please email your request to [e-mail], or call: [phone]