Contract

SQL Server Architect – SC Cleared

Ref: BBBH68646_1793698552

London

Whitehall Resources are currently looking for a SQL Server Architect – SC Cleared on a hybrid basis in London for an initial 4 month contract.

***INSIDE IR35***

***MUST BE ACTIVE SC CLEARANCE***

Job Spec
Work with Infra Architect to define PoV success criteria (RPO/RTO, failover time, throughput, recovery steps).
Stand up PoV topology:

SQL Server Always On Availability Groups on Amazon EC2 across multiple AZs.
Storage using EBS (io1/io2 / gp3) and, where required, FSx for Windows File Server for cluster dependencies.
Integrate CloudWatch, AWS Backup, Systems Manager, and automation as appropriate (CloudFormation/Terraform/PowerShell).
Confirm and test SharePoint compatibility (content/search/service DBs).
Produce pattern catalogue and TCO/performance findings and assessment of complexity to introduce and in terms of operability and maintainability for each of the chosen patterns (Always On availability groups, Always On failover cluster instances (FCI), SIOS DataKeeper, AWS Elastic Disaster Recovery, and AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)).

Deliverables

PoV Plan & Success Metrics
Resilience Pattern Catalogue (HA/DR topologies, pros/cons, prerequisites)
Testing of DR options with SharePoint team.
Performance Baseline & Findings Report (throughput/latency, failover timings)
PoV Recommendation & Next Step Design Decisions

Core Responsibilities

Architect HA/DR for SQL Server in AWS to support a mission critical SharePoint farm.
Evaluate native AWS options (EC2, EBS, FSx, Route 53, CloudWatch, Backup, Systems Manager, CloudFormation).
Design and validate Always On patterns, listener routing, quorum/witness.
Collaborate with the Infrastructure Architect to ensure network/IAM/security fit.
Produce documentation, runbooks, and handover materials for operations.

Skills & Experience
Essential

10+ years with Microsoft SQL Server (2016+) architecture and operations.
Proven delivery of Always On Availability Groups, FCI, log shipping/replication.
Large scale SharePoint database design/operations experience.
Strong performance engineering (indexing, I/O, concurrency, wait stats, storage optimisation).
Deep understanding of networking for Always On, listener design, DNS failover.
Excellent documentation and stakeholder communication.

Desirable

Azure SQL HA/DR exposure (SQL MI, zone redundancy) for comparative design decisions.
Hands on AWS deployment for SQL workloads (EC2, EBS, FSx, Route 53, CloudWatch, Backup, SSM).
Automation tooling (CloudFormation/Terraform, PowerShell DSC).
Experience with regulated environments and security hardening.

All of our opportunities require that applicants are eligible to work in the specified country/location, unless otherwise stated in the job description.

Whitehall Resources are an equal opportunities employer who value a diverse and inclusive working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics.