MS SQL Database Engineer

Location: 4 days per week remote + every 14 days 1 day onsite in Mechelen and Melle
Start: April 2026
Duration: 12 months + option for extension
Language: Dutch & English
Budget: €700/day excl. VAT

About the assignment

For a long-term freelance assignment in a complex enterprise environment, we are looking for a Senior MS SQL Database Engineer with strong expertise in high availability, performance tuning and database migrations. You will manage and optimize a critical SQL Server infrastructure (2019 and above) and work closely with infra, network and application teams.

Work regime

• 4 days per week remote
• Every 14 days 1 day onsite in Mechelen or Melle
• Long-term engagement in a high-tech enterprise environment

Responsibilities

• Installation, configuration & management of MS SQL Server 2019+
• Performance analysis & tuning (incl. Query Store)
• Setting up & managing AlwaysOn / HA-DR
• Configuration of Microsoft Clustering
• Database migrations, consolidations and upgrades
• Setting up and managing backup & restore strategies
• Monitoring & troubleshooting (Extended Events, alerting, PerfMon)
• Implementation of TDE, certificate management & encryption
• Automation with PowerShell
• Working according to ITIL processes & ITSM tooling (JSM is a plus)
• Close cooperation with infra, network and application teams

Must-have Skills (Senior – 6+ years experience)

• MS SQL Server 2019+
• Installation & configuration (DB Engine, SSRS, SSIS)
• Performance tuning & optimization
• AlwaysOn HA/DR
• Microsoft Cluster technology
• Database migrations
• Backup/Restore
• Windows Server 2019+
• Linux (RedHat)
• Basic network knowledge
• Dynatrace (API, scripting, custom dashboards)
• PowerShell scripting
• Windows PerfMon
• Certificate installations (TDE, encryption)
• ITIL & ITSM tooling
• Dutch CEFR C2

Should-have Skills

• Oracle or PostgreSQL
• Active Directory
• Virtualization
• CMS (Central Management Server)
• Commvault
• SCOM

Nice to have

• SQL Server on Azure (IaaS/PaaS)
• Visual Studio Database Projects
• Project management

Your profile

• Punctual, meticulous & quality-oriented
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills
• Persistent & result-oriented
• Team player with good communication
• Flexible (releases outside office hours)
• Documentation-minded
• Automation-oriented & creative in solutions