Senior Database Engineer

At Johnson Matthey, your work will matter. As a Senior Database Engineer, you’ll join a world leader in platinum group metals with over 200 years of history. Using advanced metals chemistry, you’ll help tackle the world’s biggest challenges - cutting emissions, powering modern life and supporting life‑saving technologies - by applying, refining and recycling metals that matter for a healthier, more sustainable, circular future. Note: This is a Renewable Fixed Term Contract and interested candidates must currently be based in Malaysia with valid work right status.

Role: As a Senior Database Engineer, you will help drive our goals by:

• Design, implement, administer, and support Microsoft SQL Server environments across on-premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure platforms.
• Manage SQL Server lifecycle activities including installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, migrations, capacity planning, and decommissioning.
• Administer and support Azure SQL services, including SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
• Design, implement, and maintain High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) solutions, including Always On Availability Groups, Failover Clustering, Backup & Recovery, and Disaster Recovery planning.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize SQL Server performance through proactive performance tuning, query optimization, index management, execution plan analysis, and database health assessments.
• Lead SQL Server version upgrade and migration projects, ensuring minimal business disruption and adherence to operational standards.
• Support and optimize backend databases for Power BI reporting and analytics platforms.
• Develop automation solutions using PowerShell, T‑SQL, SQL Agent Jobs, and Azure automation capabilities to improve operational efficiency.
• Monitor database health, availability, capacity, and performance to ensure services operate within agreed SLA and operational targets.
• Implement and maintain database security standards, including security patching, vulnerability remediation, access management, encryption, auditing, and compliance controls.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, cloud, application, network, backup, and security teams to deliver reliable database services and project outcomes.
• Act as an escalation point for complex database incidents, problem management activities, and major service disruptions.
• Participate in 3rd Line Incident Management, Service Request Fulfilment, Change Management, and Operational Support activities.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, operational procedures, standards, and knowledge articles.
• Provide technical coaching and mentoring to team members on database technologies and best practices.
• Participate in on-call rotations supporting critical production services.

Key skills that will help you succeed in this role:

• 5+ years of hands‑on Microsoft SQL Server administration experience within enterprise environments.
• Strong expertise supporting Microsoft SQL Server 2016, 2019, 2022 and newer versions.
• Proven experience administering SQL Server across both on‑premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure environments.
• Extensive experience managing SQL Always‑On Availability Groups (AG), Failover Clustering, SQL Replication, Backup & Recovery, Disaster Recovery Solutions.
• Strong database performance tuning skills including Query Optimization, Index Tuning, Execution Plan Analysis, Blocking and Deadlock Troubleshooting, Capacity Planning, Resource Utilization Analysis.
• Experience administering Azure SQL services including Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.
• Proven experience performing SQL Server upgrades, migrations, and database consolidation activities.
• Advanced T‑SQL scripting and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong PowerShell scripting and automation capabilities.
• Experience supporting Power BI reporting environments and SQL backend databases.
• Experience with SQL monitoring and performance tools such as SolarWinds DPA, Azure Monitor.
• Strong understanding of database security, auditing, access control, encryption, and vulnerability management.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP‑300).
• Experience supporting Power BI Service and enterprise analytics platforms.
• Familiarity with Oracle Database Administration.
• Experience with enterprise backup solutions such as Veeam.
• Experience using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Azure Automation.
• Understanding of ITIL Incident, Problem, Change, and Service Management processes.