DataOps Engineer

The DataOps Engineer is responsible for the reliability, administration, automation, release management and continuous improvement of Shawbrook's database and data platform services. The role requires strong core SQL DBA capability across production SQL Server and Azure SQL database platforms, including performance tuning, backup and restore, security, availability, capacity management, monitoring and incident/problem resolution. This is combined with SQL PaaS, Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, PowerShell automation and modern DevOps tooling.

Working within the DataOps function, the role supports engineering, data platform and application teams by providing robust database administration, deployment automation, performance tuning, monitoring and operational governance. The DataOps Engineer will help ensure that database changes are delivered safely and consistently through source control, CI/CD pipelines and database deployment tools such as Git and Redgate Flyway.

The role suits a hands-on engineer who can combine strong SQL DBA fundamentals with cloud platform knowledge, automation skills and structured DevOps delivery, while collaborating effectively across technical and non-technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer, monitor, maintain and optimise Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL Database and SQL PaaS services to ensure performance, resilience, security, recoverability and availability.
• Perform core SQL DBA activities, including database maintenance planning, backup and restore validation, recovery testing, access/security administration, index and statistics management, database integrity checks and operational health reviews.
• Support the design, operation and governance of cloud data platform services, including Cosmos DB and Azure SQL Database, in line with architectural and operational standards.
• Develop and maintain PowerShell automation for database administration, operational tasks, environment management, monitoring, reporting and repeatable platform processes.
• Implement and support database release management using DevOps practices, including Git-based source control, branching strategies, pull requests, code review and deployment pipelines.
• Use Redgate Flyway and related database DevOps tooling to manage schema changes, version-controlled migrations, repeatable deployments and release traceability across environments.
• Work with engineering teams to embed CI/CD practices for data-driven applications, ensuring database changes are tested, approved and deployed safely.
• Provide core SQL DBA support across performance tuning, capacity management, query optimisation, indexing strategy, execution plan analysis, blocking/deadlock investigation, statistics maintenance and database health checks.
• Implement monitoring, alerting and operational controls for database platforms, ensuring incidents and problems are identified, investigated and resolved effectively.
• Maintain data platform standards, documentation, runbooks and automation scripts to improve operational consistency and reduce manual effort.
• Ensure compliance with Shawbrook data governance, information security, access control and audit requirements.
• Collaborate with Data Platform, Engineering, Architecture, Information Security, Service Operations and Change teams to support delivery and platform stability.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to automate, simplify, secure and standardise database and data platform operations

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Strong core SQL DBA skills across Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database, including T-SQL troubleshooting, performance tuning, indexing, query plans, backup/restore, recovery models, high availability/disaster recovery, database security, monitoring, maintenance and operational support.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve production SQL issues, including slow-running queries, blocking, deadlocks, failed jobs, storage/capacity constraints, integrity issues, and restore/recovery scenarios.
• Experience working with SQL PaaS services in Azure, including operational management, configuration, scaling, resilience and cost/performance considerations.
• Hands-on experience with Cosmos DB, including data modelling considerations, partitioning, indexing, throughput management, monitoring and operational support.
• Strong PowerShell scripting skills, with proven experience using PowerShell to automate database, platform, deployment or operational processes.
• Experience with DevOps practices and tooling, including Git, repository management, pull requests, CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment workflows.
• Experience using Redgate Flyway, or equivalent database migration tooling, to manage version-controlled database changes and deployments.
• Good understanding of database release management, change control, environment promotion and deployment governance in a regulated or controlled environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex data platform issues across databases, scripts, deployments, infrastructure and application dependencies.
• Strong documentation, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering and operational teams.

Desirable

• Experience with Azure DevOps, YAML pipelines, deployment approvals, release gates and automated testing for database changes.
• Working knowledge of Python or other scripting languages used in data engineering or platform automation.
• Understanding of data governance, audit, access management and security controls in a financial services environment.
• Experience supporting incident, problem and change management processes, with a focus on service improvement and operational resilience.

Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:

• Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app
• Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause
• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on gym membership
• Contributory pension scheme & death in service

Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.

• Minimum of 27 days holiday per year
• Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme
• Discounts on gym membership nationwide
• Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands
• Community support and charitable giving

Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.

• Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success
• Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done