SQL Architect

Role Name

SQL Architect

Work Site

Toronto, CA (Remote)

Start date

Immediate availability.

## Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced **Senior SQL Architect** to lead the design, optimization, governance, and evolution of enterprise data platforms. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in SQL Server architecture, database design, performance tuning, data integration, and cloud-based data solutions. This role will partner closely with business stakeholders, data engineers, BI developers, application teams, and enterprise architects to ensure scalable, secure, and high-performing data platforms that support critical business operations and analytics.

## Key Responsibilities

### Data Architecture & Design

• Design and maintain enterprise-wide database architectures and data models.
• Develop logical and physical data models aligned with business and technology strategies.
• Establish database standards, naming conventions, and data governance practices.
• Lead architecture reviews and recommend improvements to existing database environments.
• Design high-availability and disaster recovery solutions.

### Performance & Optimization

• Analyze and optimize complex SQL queries, stored procedures, and ETL processes.
• Monitor database performance and implement tuning strategies to improve reliability and scalability.
• Resolve performance bottlenecks across transactional and analytical workloads.
• Develop capacity planning and growth strategies for enterprise databases.

### Data Engineering & Integration

• Design and oversee ETL/ELT frameworks and data integration processes.
• Collaborate with data engineering teams to support data lake, data warehouse, and analytics initiatives.
• Architect solutions for ingesting, transforming, and serving large-scale datasets.
• Support data migration projects between on-premises and cloud environments.

### Governance & Security

• Define and enforce database security, compliance, and access control standards.
• Ensure data platforms meet regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Establish backup, recovery, auditing, and monitoring procedures.
• Implement data quality and master data management practices.

### Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to DBAs, developers, data engineers, and BI teams.
• Review database designs, code, and deployment plans.
• Lead root-cause analysis and remediation efforts for critical incidents.
• Evaluate emerging database technologies and recommend adoption strategies.

## Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in database development, administration, or data architecture.
• 5+ years of experience in a database architecture or technical leadership role.
• Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server.
• Extensive experience designing enterprise-scale OLTP and data warehouse solutions.
• Strong understanding of database internals, indexing strategies, partitioning, and query optimization.
• Experience with data modeling methodologies (Kimball, Data Vault, dimensional modeling).
• Strong understanding of data governance, security, and compliance principles.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

## Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Azure SQL, Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, or Databricks.
• Experience leading cloud migration initiatives.
• Knowledge of modern data architectures including Data Lakehouse and Data Mesh concepts.
• Experience supporting AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics data platforms.
• Microsoft Azure Data Engineer or Database Administrator certifications.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments.