Engineer I, Database

The primary focus of this role is to support the development and evolution of enterprise applications from the database engineering perspective, with a strong focus on Microsoft SQL Server.

The Database Engineer works as part of the Engineering team, taking ownership of database changes, migration scripts, complex SQL development, schema evolution, upgrades, and performance optimization. The role requires someone who can understand existing database structures and application behavior, troubleshoot complex database issues, and collaborate effectively across engineering teams.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

•  Design, develop, review, and maintain SQL scripts, stored procedures, database functions, and other database objects.

•  Develop and maintain database migration and upgrade scripts for application releases and platform upgrades.

•  Design and implement schema changes while considering compatibility, data integrity, performance, and upgrade requirements.

•  Analyze and optimize complex SQL queries, stored procedures, and database functions.

•  Investigate database-related application issues and support Software Engineers with complex queries and database logic.

•  Monitor and analyze SQL Server performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement or recommend improvements.

•  Perform query execution-plan analysis, indexing optimization, and SQL tuning.

•  Support database and application upgrades, including migration, reconciliation, and validation activities.

•  Ensure database changes are repeatable, testable, version-controlled, and compatible with application release processes.

•  Collaborate with Software Engineering, QA, DevOps, and Performance Engineering teams on application changes and production issues.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

•  4+ years of hands-on database engineering or database development experience with enterprise applications.

•  Strong expertise in Microsoft SQL Server and T-SQL.

•  Strong experience developing and optimizing complex SQL queries, stored procedures, functions, and database objects.

•  Experience with database schema design and implementing schema changes.

•  Experience creating and maintaining database migration and application upgrade scripts.

•  Good understanding of query execution plans, indexing strategies, query optimization, locking, and database performance.

•  Experience troubleshooting database-related application and performance issues.

•  Good understanding of data migration, reconciliation, and validation principles.

•  Experience working with source control and structured software release and SDLC processes.

•  Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

 

Nice to Have

•  Experience supporting large-scale financial-services or other business-critical enterprise applications.

•  Experience with database migrations between different technologies, such as Sybase to Microsoft SQL Server.

•  Experience with SQL Server monitoring and performance-analysis tooling.

•  Understanding of application/database interaction and ORM technologies such as Hibernate/JPA or Entity Framework.

•  Experience with Azure SQL, Azure environments, or cloud-hosted SQL Server.

•  Familiarity with CI/CD and automated database deployment approaches.

•  Scripting experience with PowerShell, Python, or similar technologies.

•  Experience using GitHub Copilot or other AI-assisted engineering tools.

•  Exposure to AI/agentic workflows for SQL analysis, migration, optimization, or engineering automation.

 

Typical Experience

•  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

•  4+ years of relevant database engineering or database development experience.

•  Experience working as part of an application engineering team supporting complex enterprise software. 

At Zensar, we’re “experience-led everything”. We are committed to conceptualizing, designing, engineering, marketing, and managing digital solutions and experiences for over 130 leading enterprises. We are a company driven by a bold purpose: Together, we shape experiences for better futures. Whether for our clients, our people, or the world around us, this belief powers everything we do. At the heart of our culture is ONE with Client - a set of four core values that reflect who we are and how we work: One Zensar, Nurturing, Empowering, and Client Focus.

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We believe the best work happens when individuality is celebrated, growth is encouraged, and well-being is prioritized. We are an equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, family medical leave status, or protected veteran status.