Azure Platform Engineer (PostgreSQL Migration) - Contract Inside IR35

Role Purpose

The Platform Engineer (DBA-PostgreSQL) is responsible for designing, deploying, and managing large-scale migrations of on-premises PostgreSQL databases and associated application workloads to Microsoft Azure.

The role requires experience in creating and executing comprehensive cutover plans for migrating on-premises PostgreSQL databases to Azure cloud environments. This includes detailed scheduling, risk assessment, coordination with stakeholders, and ensuring seamless transition with minimal disruption to business operations.

This role sits at the intersection of platform engineering and database administration, combining deep hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Bicep, robust PostgreSQL expertise, and delivery of CI build pipelines to enable secure, validated, and auditable migrations in regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement Azure infrastructure and PostgreSQL PaaS resources using Bicep and IaC best practices (no GUI deployment).
• Lead migrations of large on-premises PostgreSQL databases to Azure PostgreSQL Flexible Server, ensuring minimal downtime and full data integrity.
• Develop and maintain CI build pipelines for application deployment and migration processes, integrating database and platform requirements.
• Collaborate with platform, network, security, and application teams to ensure correct networking (subnetting, private endpoints, DNS), secure connectivity, and compliance with governance and audit standards.
• Validate platform readiness, including backup and restore procedures, high availability, resilience, and capacity baselining for migrated workloads.
• Support PoC, pilot, and phased migration waves, providing technical leadership and ensuring rollback strategies and operational readiness.
• Produce and maintain clear technical documentation, migration runbooks, and evidence to support audit and clinical safety requirements.

Mandatory Skills

• Proven hands-on experience deploying Azure resources using Bicep and Infrastructure as Code.
• Experience with Azure networking patterns, including Hub and Spoke, VWAN, VPN, and Firewall configurations.
• Advanced PostgreSQL administration skills in large production environments, including migrations, replication, and performance tuning.
• Expertise with Azure migration tools such as Azure Migrate and Azure Database Migration Service (DMS).
• Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines, including build and deployment automation for applications and databases.
• Experience planning and managing migration cutover, downtime, rollback, and validation procedures.
• Familiarity with automation of database validation, monitoring, and migration checks (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics).

Desirable Skills

• Exposure to healthcare or regulated environments, with understanding of compliance, audit, and clinical safety requirements.

Working Style & Attributes

• Detail oriented with a strong focus on data integrity, risk reduction, and operational excellence.
• Calm and methodical under migration and cutover pressure.
• Clear communicator, capable of explaining technical risks to non-specialist stakeholders.
• Proactive in identifying dependencies, risks, and escalation points early in migration projects.

Summary

This role unites platform engineering and senior DBA-PostgreSQL expertise to deliver secure, efficient, and compliant migrations to Azure. The Platform Engineer (DBA-PostgreSQL) ensures that all aspects of infrastructure, database, and application delivery are integrated, validated, and operationally ready, enabling successful transformation programmes in complex and regulated environments.