Senior Database Performance Engineer

Competencies Critical for Success

Primary Responsibilities

• Model professionalism and lead by example, promoting database best practices across engineering teams
• Own database performance tuning activities including query optimization, indexing strategies, and execution plan analysis
• Monitor, analyze, and tune SQL Server instances in collaboration with Infrastructure DBA’s to ensure high availability, low latency, and predictable capacity
• Collaborate with Java/Hibernate teams to advise on efficient data-access patterns and ORM configuration
• Support development teams by reviewing SQL-related code, database migrations, and query-heavy features
• Author & submit pull requests to development teams that include SQL performance tuning changes
• Drive root-cause analysis for performance degradation, slow queries, blocking, and deadlocks
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for performance patterns, indexing strategies, and tuning guidelines
• Participate in architectural discussions to ensure database scalability and long-term stability
• Troubleshoot production issues, lead database recovery efforts, and guide teams through performance incidents & escalations
• Remove operational impediments by improving tooling, observability, and database-related workflows
• Work independently to investigate, develop, and deliver performance improvements end-to-end
• Maintain and prioritize a dedicated database performance backlog, identifying items for self-directed delivery versus items requiring coordination with feature teams

Additional Duties and Expectations

• Promote QHR’s “Blue Culture” framework to foster a collaborative, positive and efficient workplace
• Contribute positively to the organization’s internal and external reputation
• Demonstrate empathy, patience, and clear communication in all interactions
• Adapt to changing strategic priorities, including evolution of team composition and responsibilities
• Perform other duties consistent with the position, as reasonably directed by your manager

Qualifications, Education and Experience Requirements

• General Requirements
• A degree or diploma in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field
• 7+ years in Database Administrator, Backend Developer, or equivalent roles with a strong focus on SQL and application performance
• Proven track record of SQL performance tuning, execution plan analysis, and server optimization
• Demonstrated ability to write, test, and ship production code changes independently
• Experience supporting enterprise applications and large-scale data environments
• Experience working collaboratively with development teams, ideally in Java environments
• Experience with Agile methodologies; Scrum certification considered an asset
• Technical Requirements
• Experience with:
• Advanced MSSQL Server performance tuning (execution plans, indexing, statistics, wait analysis)
• Experience with profiling tools such as SQL Profiler, Extended Events, SolarWinds DPA and SQL Sentry
• Strong SQL development skills (T-SQL, stored procedures, views, triggers)
• Java ecosystem fundamentals and ORM frameworks, especially Hibernate
• Understanding of how Java/Hibernate query generation affects database performance
• Source control tools such as Git
• Extra consideration for candidates with:
• Experience with Microsoft Azure SQL or other cloud database platforms
• Experience with Web Technologies such as SpringBoot
• Experience optimizing CI/CD pipelines for database deployments
• Experience in healthcare or other regulated data environments

Compensation and Logistics

• Base salary, variable bonus established at the corporate level, and a competitive benefits package Hiring Range: $110,000 - $120,000 annual Final pay for this position may depend on candidate knowledge, skills, experience and location
• Hiring Range: $110,000 - $120,000 annual
• Final pay for this position may depend on candidate knowledge, skills, experience and location
• Full-time, permanent position
• Minimal travel required
• QHR is a dynamic, high-growth Canadian technology company and division of Loblaw Companies Limited. Our mission is to unite Canadian Healthcare, connecting Providers and their Patients to information and each other.