Salary Range: $110,000.00 To $120,000.00 AnnuallyPosition SummaryThe Software Engineering department is seeking a Senior Database Performance Engineer.Our products power mission-critical workflows used by thousands of customers across Canada, with data at the center of every experience. As our platform continues to scale, we are looking for a passionate and highly skilled developer with deep SQL expertise. You must excel at diagnosing complex performance issues, optimizing SQL query execution paths, and ensuring our database servers operate at peak efficiency. You will play a critical role in keeping our systems stable, reliable, and rapid as we introduce new applications, expand integrations, and evolve our backend services.As an ideal candidate, you bring a deep understanding of Microsoft SQL Server internals, performance tuning techniques, and modern ORM frameworks such as Hibernate. You are methodical and analytical, with a strong ability to translate application behaviour—particularly within Java-based systems—into database performance insights. You thrive on troubleshooting, data-driven decision making, and building long-term solutions that prevent issues before they occur.Success in this role means ensuring stable, well-performing database environments; establishing best practices across engineering teams; and collaborating closely with developers to promote a performance-first mindset. You will be the trusted expert for database performance, guiding teams to write efficient SQL, optimize schema designs, and tune server configurations for predictable, scalable throughput.Competencies Critical for SuccessPerformance & Analysis – Diagnose and resolve complex database performance issues while analyzing SQL execution behavior to identify and implement improvementsAdvocacy & Influence – Communicate database concepts clearly to developers, enabling actionable solutions and advocating proactive changesProactive Optimization – Drive strategies to prevent issues and deliver continuous, measurable performance gainsTechnical Depth – Apply expertise across SQL Server, ORM frameworks,



and Java systems to optimize application performanceBacklog Ownership – Maintain and prioritize a performance improvement backlog; determine what to own directly versus what to drive through development teamsPrimary ResponsibilitiesModel professionalism and lead by example, promoting database best practices across engineering teamsOwn database performance tuning activities including query optimization, indexing strategies, and execution plan analysisMonitor, analyze, and tune SQL Server instances in collaboration with Infrastructure DBA's to ensure high availability, low latency, and predictable capacityCollaborate with Java/Hibernate teams to advise on efficient data-access patterns and ORM configurationSupport development teams by reviewing SQL-related code, database migrations, and query-heavy featuresAuthor & submit pull requests to development teams that include SQL performance tuning changesDrive root-cause analysis for performance degradation, slow queries, blocking, and deadlocksMaintain comprehensive documentation for performance patterns, indexing strategies, and tuning guidelinesParticipate in architectural discussions to ensure database scalability and long-term stabilityTroubleshoot production issues, lead database recovery efforts, and guide teams through performance incidents & escalationsRemove operational impediments by improving tooling, observability, and database-related workflowsWork independently to investigate, develop, and deliver performance improvements end-to-endMaintain and prioritize a dedicated database performance backlog, identifying items for self-directed delivery versus items requiring coordination with feature teamsAdditional Duties and ExpectationsPromote QHR's "Blue Culture" framework to foster a collaborative, positive and efficient workplaceContribute positively to the organization's internal and external reputationDemonstrate empathy, patience,



and clear communication in all interactionsAdapt to changing strategic priorities, including evolution of team composition and responsibilitiesPerform other duties consistent with the position, as reasonably directed by your managerQualifications, Education and Experience RequirementsGeneral RequirementsA degree or diploma in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field7+ years in Database Administrator, Backend Developer, or equivalent roles with a strong focus on SQL and application performanceProven track record of SQL performance tuning, execution plan analysis, and server optimizationDemonstrated ability to write, test, and ship production code changes independentlyExperience supporting enterprise applications and large-scale data environmentsExperience working collaboratively with development teams, ideally in Java environmentsExperience with Agile methodologies; Scrum certification considered an assetTechnical RequirementsExperience with:Advanced MSSQL Server performance tuning (execution plans, indexing, statistics, wait analysis)Experience with profiling tools such as SQL Profiler, Extended Events, SolarWinds DPA and SQL SentryStrong SQL development skills (T‐SQL, stored procedures, views, triggers)Java ecosystem fundamentals and ORM frameworks, especially HibernateUnderstanding of how Java/Hibernate query generation affects database performanceSource control tools such as GitExtra consideration for candidates with:Experience with Microsoft Azure SQL or other cloud database platformsExperience with Web Technologies such as SpringBootExperience in healthcare or other regulated data environmentsCompensation and LogisticsBase salary, variable bonus established at the corporate level, and a competitive benefits packageHiring Range: $110,000 - $120,000 annualFinal pay for this position may depend on candidate knowledge, skills, experience and locationQHR is a dynamic, high-growth Canadian technology company and division of Loblaw Companies Limited. Our mission is to unite Canadian Healthcare, connecting Providers and their Patients to information and each other.

📌 Senior Database Performance Engineer (Kelowna)
🏢 Accuro EMR
📍 Kelowna