Senior Database Engineer

TEKsystems•Seattle, WA

2d•$60 - $70•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is primarily focused on operating and supporting Azure‑hosted, production SQL environments, with approximately 50% of time spent on monitoring and supporting SQL Server databases running on Azure VMs, and troubleshooting issues across n‑tier web applications. Roughly 30% of the role involves deep SQL Server engineering, including T‑SQL development, performance tuning, and optimization of SQL Server 2019 clusters. The remaining 20% of time is dedicated to Windows Server and SQL Server administration, with opportunities to improve automation, scripting, and operational efficiency as the environment matures. Client is seeking a SQL Database Engineer to serve as the primary SQL subject matter expert across the organization. This role is responsible for owning the reliability, performance, and day‑to‑day operations of a large, mission‑critical SQL Server environment supporting regulated healthcare products. The ideal candidate brings deep SQL Server expertise combined with a modern, engineering‑oriented mindset—someone who can stabilize complex systems today while gradually improving automation, monitoring, and operational maturity over time. This role supports legacy but business‑critical products, including CareWebQI and Indicia, running in Microsoft Azure on SQL Server hosted on virtual machines (not fully managed services). The environment includes approximately 1,200 production HIPAA‑compliant databases and 500–600 staging and test databases, all requiring high reliability, performance, and compliance. Because these systems are not fully managed by Microsoft, the role requires hands‑on ownership of SQL Server, Windows Server, and Azure infrastructure, with direct responsibility for keeping the environment stable and performant.

Requirements

SQL Server expertise
Modern, engineering‑oriented mindset
Experience with SQL Server 2019 clusters
Experience with Windows Server administration
Experience with Azure infrastructure
Experience with monitoring tools
AI usage mindset: Actively uses AI tools to learn, troubleshoot, or improve workflows
Curiosity and adaptability

Responsibilities

Own the operational health of the SQL environment, including database administration, performance tuning, monitoring, backups, and incident response.
Troubleshoot production issues.
Partner closely with application developers to optimize queries and stored procedures.
Act as the escalation point when performance or availability problems arise.
Identify opportunities to improve observability, reduce manual processes through automation, and recommend longer‑term improvements to the SQL platform.
Operate as a shared services resource across teams, providing trusted guidance and collaboration while ensuring that critical healthcare systems remain secure, compliant, and available.