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- Tasks: Design and optimise databases for performance and scalability in a dynamic, remote environment.
- Company: Join BlackRainbow, a leader in innovative case management solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising database architecture for global clients.
- Qualifications: 8+ years DBA experience with strong SQL Server and Azure SQL skills.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving lives through technology.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: UK (remotely from home)
Employment Type: Full Time
Minimum Experience: 8 years relevant experience
Compensation: Competitive
Summary
Black Rainbow is looking for a Senior Database Architect to join the growing Product Engineering team, with strong experience in optimising architecture, performance, and maintainability of the database underpinning our complex multi‑tier applications.
Who We Are
BlackRainbow was created to solve Investigation Case Management inefficiencies faced by investigators across Law Enforcement, Government Intelligence, and large enterprise organisations. Since launching our NIMBUS product, we have scaled rapidly and are establishing ourselves as the global standard for innovative, intelligence‑driven case management solutions. Our team brings decades of experience working with investigators in over forty countries, enabling us to understand real‑world investigative challenges and build software that genuinely improves how people work.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking a Senior Database Architect who combines deep database expertise with strong communication skills and an ability to work closely with development teams and customers. This role is central to optimising the architecture, performance, and maintainability of the databases underpinning our complex multi‑tier applications. We’re looking for a true DBA specialist - not just a developer with SQL knowledge - but someone with proven experience designing scalable architectures, solving complex SQL performance problems, and guiding customers through best practices across both cloud and on‑prem deployments. You will be involved in the full lifecycle of our software delivery: from reviewing database changes, supporting integration testing, and contributing to architectural improvements, through to advising customers and partners on performance, optimisation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, configure, and optimise our Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL databases for scalability, performance, resilience, and cost‑efficiency.
- Improve existing database architecture, indexing strategies, and schema design to support both SaaS and on‑prem installations.
- Investigate and resolve complex SQL issues including slow queries, blocking, deadlocks, and execution‑plan inefficiencies.
- Work with different ways the application interacts with the database, including:
- .NET Core
- Entity Framework
- Stored procedures
- Custom SQL generation
Collaboration With Development Teams
- Work daily with our agile product & engineering teams to ensure tight integration between application logic and underlying data structures.
- Participate in code reviews, database change reviews, and architectural discussions.
- Support integration tests using Docker‑based database instances.
- Contribute to deployment processes using dacpacs, bacpacs, and established database‑change pipelines (MS Devops).
- Engage in the full “end‑to‑end” story lifecycle to ensure database considerations are included from design through to delivery.
- Attend daily standup with whole team.
Customer Advisory & Support
- Act as a trusted technical advisor for customers and partners, helping them diagnose issues, optimise configurations, and adopt best practices.
- Investigate database performance and maintenance issues (sometimes without direct access) using logs, telemetry, exported data, and customer‑provided information.
- Guide customers on security, data management, maintenance routines, and long‑term optimisation strategies.
- Feed insights from customer environments back into the core product to drive continuous improvement.
- Advise customers on database sizing and growth planning, including capacity forecasting, storage optimisation, and ensuring deployments are appropriately scaled for current and future workloads.
Monitoring & Operational Excellence
- Develop and enhance monitoring strategies across SQL Server and Azure SQL, including:
- Query performance
- Index usage and fragmentation analysis
- AppInsights analysis
- Deadlock analysis
- Execution‑plan evaluation
Essential Requirements
- Eligible to work in the UK (no sponsorship available).
- Able to meet vetting requirements for Security Clearance (SC) and NPPV3.
- 8+ years hands‑on DBA experience within large and complex systems.
- Expert‑level knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL.
- Experience supporting multi‑tier architectures (databases, app servers, web, mobile).
- Highly proficient in performance optimisation: indexing strategies, execution‑plan analysis, deadlock resolution, and efficient SQL design.
- Familiarity with DevOps concepts and agile/scrum delivery environments.
- Ability to interpret and optimise SQL generated by .NET Entity Framework Core, including understanding how LINQ expressions translate into database queries.
- Experience working with SQL Server Database Projects in Visual Studio, including contributing to schema changes as part of a larger C# application.
- Experience designing and optimising granular, SQL‑level permission models, ensuring that complex security predicates perform efficiently at scale.
- Experience managing storage, cost optimisation, and monitoring in Azure.
- Strong understanding of database access security, roles, and complex permission schemes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; able to document changes and explain decisions clearly.
- Strong teamwork skills and ability to be customer‑facing when required.
- Solid understanding of software architecture and how database design impacts application behaviour.
- Ability to work in a fast‑moving, dynamic, agile environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field or equivalent professional experience.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience with multi‑tenant database solutions.
- Experience working with encrypted datasets.
- Knowledge of PostgreSQL.
- Exposure to AWS S3.
- Experience with Power BI (helpful, but not essential).
WHY JOIN BLACKRAINBOW?
BlackRainbow is ambitious, driven and deeply cares about the ability to make a difference to people’s lives with our software. Be a part of our team as we scale up.
Some Of Our Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Fully remote working
- Flexible working hours
- 25 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
- Pension
- Private healthcare (including family cover)
- Training and professional development support
If you have the skills and experience plus the drive and ambition to be successful in this role, please apply via the BambooHR link.
Senior Database Architect (Remote - UK) employer: Black Rainbow
Contact Detail:
Black Rainbow Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Database Architect (Remote - UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or attend industry meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for database architects and practice your answers. We recommend using mock interviews with friends or even recording yourself to refine your delivery.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those that highlight your database architecture expertise. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Black Rainbow.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Database Architect (Remote - UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Database Architect role. Highlight your 8+ years of DBA experience and any specific projects that showcase your skills in optimising database architecture and performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for Black Rainbow. Share your passion for solving complex SQL issues and how your experience aligns with our mission to improve case management solutions.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves working closely with development teams and customers, make sure to demonstrate your strong communication skills in your application. We want to see how you can explain technical concepts clearly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our BambooHR link! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Black Rainbow
✨Know Your Databases Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL. Be ready to discuss your experience with optimising database architecture, performance tuning, and resolving complex SQL issues. Prepare specific examples from your past work that showcase your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Senior Database Architect, you'll need to collaborate closely with development teams and customers. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think about how you've successfully communicated with non-technical stakeholders in the past and be ready to share those experiences.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to database performance or architecture. Think through common scenarios like slow queries or deadlocks and how you would approach resolving them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and practical knowledge.
✨Understand the Company’s Product and Vision
Familiarise yourself with Black Rainbow's NIMBUS product and its impact on investigation case management. Be prepared to discuss how your role as a Senior Database Architect can contribute to their mission. Showing genuine interest in the company’s goals will set you apart from other candidates.
