Database Engineer (DevOps)

Database Engineer (DevOps) Job Summary : Talent Software Services is in search of a Database Engineer (DevOps) for a contract-to-hire position in Minnetonka, MN. Position Summary : We are seeking a Database Engineer (DevOps) to join our team on a contract-to-hire basis. This role is a cornerstone of our initiative to expand database operations into the cloud, with an emphasis on automation, optimization, and performance at scale. The successful candidate will be fluent in Snowflake and experienced in Azure cloud services, with bonus points for exposure to Cosmos DB and experience with Oracle (including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure / OCI). We need someone who thrives in a DevOps environment, relentlessly pursues optimization, and can help build out scalable, automated data infrastructure in the cloud. Is a builder : Enjoys automating manual tasks and creating scalable, efficient processes. Is an optimizer : Driven to improve performance, reduce costs, and streamline operations. Is cloud-focused : Fluent in Azure and eager to advance cloud-first database strategies. Is a collaborator : Works well with developers, architects, and infrastructure teams to deliver end-to-end solutions. Is a self-starter thriving in a contract-to-hire environment with the opportunity to shape a growing team Primary Responsibilities / Accountabilities : Database Engineering & Cloud Growth Lead the design, automation, and management of Snowflake-based data solutions. Develop and manage Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) templates to provision and maintain resources in Azure (required). Support automation efforts of our Oracle OCI databases. Implement and optimize Cosmos DB workloads where needed. Automation & Optimization Automate database provisioning, user management, scaling, monitoring, and backup processes. Optimize Snowflake performance, including query tuning, warehouse sizing, and storage usage. Build tools and scripts to reduce manual workload and empower self-service for developers and analysts. Use Ansible for consistent, repeatable configuration management of Azure database environments, limiting configuration drift. Implement automated monitoring and alerting for database services for reliability, performance. Define and track SLI and SLO for cloud database services. DevOps & CI / CD Integration Integrate database operations into CI / CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or similar). Standardize deployments using Infrastructure-as-Code. Implement automated monitoring and alerting for system health, reliability, and performance. Governance & Security Enforce database and data security policies in Snowflake and Azure. Implement access controls, auditing, and compliance monitoring. Partner with security teams to ensure alignment with organizational and regulatory requirements. Innovation & Continuous Improvement Stay current on Azure cloud-native database offerings, Snowflake enhancements, and DevOps tooling. Recommend strategies for scaling, cost optimization, and performance improvements. Promote a culture of relentless automation and continuous optimization. Qualifications : Expertise with Snowflake (performance tuning, workload / cost management, and security). Strong direct experience with Azure cloud services (Snowflake on Azure, Cosmos DB, Snowpipe configuration on Azure). Familiarity with DevOps practices including Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform), CI / CD, and monitoring. Proficiency with scripting / automation languages (Python, Ansible, PowerShell, and similar). Experience with database performance monitoring and troubleshooting. Strong problem-solving and optimization mindset. Preferred : Expertise with Snowflake (performance tuning, workload / cost management, and security). 5-8 years of progressive experience in database administration (Oracle, SQL Server, Postgres, or similar RDBMS). 2-3 years applying automation practices (infrastructure as code, CI / CD, automation, monitoring). Strong knowledge of high availability, disaster recovery, performance tuning, and database security. Strong direct experience with Azure cloud services (Snowflake on Azure, Cosmos DB, Snowpipe configuration on Azure). Familiarity with DevOps practices including Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform), CI / CD, and monitoring. Proficiency with scripting / automation languages (Python, Ansible, PowerShell, and similar). Experience with database performance monitoring and troubleshooting. Strong problem-solving and optimization mindset.. If this job is a match for your background, we would be honored to receive your application! Providing consulting opportunities to TALENTed people since 1987, we offer a host of opportunities, including contract, contract to hire, and permanent placement. Let's talk!