Director / Head Database Engineer
Posted 2 weeks ago by Vallum Associates
£700 Per day
Inside
Hybrid
South Yorkshire
Summary: The Head Database Engineer role is a contract position based in Sheffield, UK, focused on leading the design and implementation of database-as-a-service (DBaaS) solutions. The position requires a Principal Engineer with extensive experience in database technologies and engineering leadership to drive technology direction and deliver solutions. The role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams and acting as a subject matter expert in database technologies. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement with two days onsite.
Key Responsibilities:
- Co-lead the design and architecture of on-premises DBaaS solutions for Postgres, MongoDB, and SQL Server, and work with teams to implement these solutions.
- Develop and maintain the long-term strategy for database infrastructure, ensuring alignment with Client's IT and business objectives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor on database technologies, providing guidance to senior leadership and IT teams.
- Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and stakeholders to define technical requirements and specifications.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements in engineering practices, and recommend relevant solutions.
- Support the Platform Lead in identifying and addressing engineering challenges.
- Facilitate the development of cross-functional capabilities to address common technical gaps.
- Act as a key decision-maker for technical and risk-related engineering matters.
- Identify opportunities to improve and automate processes.
Key Skills:
- Strong technical proficiency in database technologies (relational, NoSQL, distributed SQL), deployed on laaS or as part of DBaaS, with an understanding of consumer use cases and infrastructure capabilities.
- Proven experience leading large, enterprise-level engineering projects and delivering quality solutions.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal engineering role.
- Expertise in infrastructure components, performance tuning, and capacity planning.
- Hands-on experience with microservices, software development, infrastructure automation, API development, and basic application systems design.
- Strong understanding of Site Reliability Engineering, DevOps practices (CI/CD/CT pipelines, automated testing, code scanning), and Infrastructure as Code.
- Knowledge of industry-standard testing practices and tools.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, team-building, and influencing skills.
- Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and best practices in the financial industry.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience evaluating multiple technology solutions to determine the best fit for specific use cases.
Salary (Rate): £700/day
City: Sheffield
Country: UK
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
The Role: Head Database Engineer
Location: Sheffield, UK
Position Type: Contract Inside IR35
Remote work option Available: Hybrid – 2 Days Onsite
Job Description:
We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer with deep expertise in database technologies and strong engineering skills to help accelerate the delivery of DBaaS in 2026.
Role Overview
As a Principal Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping our technology direction and delivering solutions. This is a hands-on leadership position, working closely with cross-functional teams to design and implement new products and services that meet business needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Co-lead the design and architecture of on-premises DBaaS solutions for Postgres, MongoDB, and SQL Server, and work with teams to implement these solutions.
- Develop and maintain the long-term strategy for database infrastructure, ensuring alignment with Client's IT and business objectives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor on database technologies, providing guidance to senior leadership and IT teams.
- Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and stakeholders to define technical requirements and specifications.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements in engineering practices, and recommend relevant solutions. Support the Platform Lead in identifying and addressing engineering challenges. Facilitate the development of cross-functional capabilities to address common technical gaps.
- Act as a key decision-maker for technical and risk-related engineering matters.
- Identify opportunities to improve and automate processes.
Experience and Qualifications
- Strong technical proficiency in database technologies (relational, NoSQL, distributed SQL), deployed on laaS or as part of DBaaS, with an understanding of consumer use cases and infrastructure capabilities.
- Proven experience leading large, enterprise-level engineering projects and delivering quality solutions.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal engineering role..
- Expertise in infrastructure components, performance tuning, and capacity planning.
- Hands-on experience with microservices, software development, infrastructure automation, API development, and basic application systems design.
- Strong understanding of Site Reliability Engineering, DevOps practices (CI/CD/CT pipelines, automated testing, code scanning), and Infrastructure as Code.
- Knowledge of industry-standard testing practices and tools.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, team-building, and influencing skills.
- Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and best practices in the financial industry.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience evaluating multiple technology solutions to determine the best fit for specific use cases.
title: Director / Head Database Engineer
salary: £650 - £700/day
location: South Yorkshire
misc1:
misc2: