Software Engineer II - Azure SQL Database Engineer

M&T Bank is a Top 20 US bank holding company and one of the best performing and financial stable regional banks in the country, we offer our technology employees a wide range of performance-based career development opportunities. We have a strong commitment to our customers and the communities we serve, and we continue to grow with a focus on the future.

Our client, M&T Bank, a regional bank founded in 1856 and headquartered in Buffalo, New York, serves customers across the East Coast. With more than 1,000 branches and $201 billion in assets, M&T Bank offers a wide range of banking products and services for personal, business and commercial use. Currently seeking a Software Engineer II - Azure SQL Database Engineer to join their team on a 12+ month contract basis.

Job Title: Software Engineer II - Azure SQL Database Engineer

Location: Hybrid/Buffalo, NY (3 days onsite/2 days remote)

Duration: 12+-month contract

Note: No visa sponsorship/transfer – legally authorized to work in the US without visa sponsorship/transfer now or in the future (actual visa card must be valid for the next 18+-months / No H1B or OPT)

NOTES FROM MANAGER/REQUIRED SKILLS & EXP.:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Azure SQL Database Engineer to manage, optimize, and secure our SQL databases hosted in Azure. This role will be integral to supporting a new middleware application that facilitates data flow to/from a SaaS hosted application, ensuring high availability, performance, and data integrity.

Skill Set 1: Azure SQL Database (T-SQL, stored procs, schema design, TDE, Azure AD Auth)

Skill Set 2: Azure Networking, Managed Identities, Security

• Skill Set 3: Database Design, Modeling, Performance tuning, optimization, query plan analysis, backup/restore

• Job Title: Software Engineer II - Azure SQL Database Engineer

• We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Azure SQL Database Engineer to manage, optimize, and secure our SQL databases hosted in Azure. This role will be integral to supporting a new middleware application that facilitates data flow to/from a SaaS hosted application, ensuring high availability, performance, and data integrity.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain Azure SQL Databases to support middleware and other applications.

• Collaborate closely with Java middleware developers to optimize database interactions, queries, and schema designs for seamless integration and performance.

• Monitor database performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement tuning strategies (indexing, query optimization, resource scaling).

• Implement and manage database security, including user permissions, role-based access control, encryption (TDE), and network security.

• Plan and execute database backup and recovery strategies, ensuring data resilience and business continuity.

• Implement and manage high availability and disaster recovery solutions (e.g., Geo-replication, Availability Groups, Failover Groups).

• Troubleshoot and resolve database-related issues, including connectivity, performance, and data corruption.

• Automate database management tasks using Azure tools, PowerShell, or other scripting languages.

• Ensure compliance with data governance, privacy, and security standards.

• Essential Skills and Experience:

• Azure SQL Database Expertise:

• Strong hands-on experience with Azure SQL Database

• Proficiency in T-SQL for complex queries, stored procedures, and schema design.

• Experience in database performance tuning, optimization, and query plan analysis.

• Experience with Azure SQL Database security features (TDE, Azure AD Authentication).

• Azure Ecosystem & Integration:

• Understanding of Azure Networking for secure database connectivity.

• Experience using Managed Identities for secure application access for databases.

• Familiarity with Azure Monitor for database monitoring and alerting.

• Data Management:

• Solid understanding of relational database design and data modeling.

• Experience with database backup and restore procedures.

• Collaboration & Problem-Solving:

• Ability to work effectively with development teams.

• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills for database issues.

• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Minimum of an Associate's degree and 5 years systems analysis/application development experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 7 years higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years systems analysis/application development experience.

• Familiar with application development software and hardware platforms.

• Proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent project management, word processing and spreadsheet software.

• Capable of working on multiple projects of a complex nature.

• Excellent problem-solving skills to assist in issue resolution.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with prior experience presenting to the target audience.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Detail-oriented.

• Strong lateral thinking skills.

• Experience coordinating between Applications and business units.

• Experience recommending and implementing systems solutions.

• Experience driving project milestones and delivery dates.

• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• Good understanding of the Bank's application framework.

• Subject matter expert in business with knowledge or experience utilizing application/system being supported.

• Advanced understanding of applications supported with a sound knowledge of interfacing/integrated applications.

• Ability to work in a team environment as well as autonomously.

• Ability to multitask for various components of complex projects.

• Action-oriented.

• Pro-active.

• Advanced knowledge and focus of the entire system to work on projects outside of normal business-as-usual (BAU).

• Please provide candidates responses for ALL of the questions below to confirm they have ALL of the required skills/experience (please reply ASAP as submittals to our client are time sensitive):

• Do you reside in or near the Buffalo, NY or area to be onsite from day 1 for a hybrid work model, or open to relocation at your own expense to be onsite in a hybrid work model from day 1 (REQUIRED, NO EXCEPTIONS)?

• If hired, are you able to work on Globalquest's W2 without any issues?

• LinkedIn profile link?

• Yrs. of IT exp. overall?

• Yrs. of exp. as a Software Engineer II - Azure SQL Database Engineer?

• Yrs. of exp. w/ Azure SQL Database (T-SQL, stored procs, schema design, TDE, Azure AD Auth) (Required)?

• Yrs. of exp. w/ Azure Networking, Managed Identities, Security (Required)?

• Yrs. of exp. w/ Database Design, Modeling, Performance tuning, optimization, query plan analysis, backup/restore (Required)?

• Yrs. of exp. working specifically for banks and/or financial institutions?

• Do you possess a minimum of an Associate's degree and 5 years systems analysis/application development experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 7 years higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years systems analysis/application development experience. (required)?

• Do you possess exceptional communication skills (verbal/written)?