Senior Database Developer

About Rethink First 

Rethink First is a leading behavioral health technology company working to make mental wellness, education, and support accessible and scalable. Through our suite of cloud-based platforms—including RethinkEd, RethinkCare, and RethinkBH—we serve educators, employers, and providers with tools that deliver measurable, inclusive outcomes. 

We're on a mission to make behavioral health more effective, equitable, and human—and we’re looking for a creative visionary to help lead that charge.

Role Summary
We are seeking a Senior Database Developer with deep expertise in Azure SQL Hyperscale environments managing very large databases (4TB+) . This role requires a hands-on technical leader who excels at designing and optimizing complex database solutions, building scalable data access patterns, and creatively solving performance and reliability challenges in cloud-native architectures.
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled SQL developer bringing strong Azure platform experience, a problem-solving mindset, and familiarity with compliance requirements in regulated environments such as healthcare.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and optimize complex T-SQL solutions including large-scale stored procedures, functions, and queries
• Optimize existing SQL code for performance, scalability, and maintainability
• Proactively identify and resolve query performance, indexing, and concurrency issues
• Support schema design, data modeling, and database changes for new features
• Collaborate with application engineers to design and improve data models, database logic, and access patterns
• Develop and maintain database objects, deployment scripts, and repeatable database changes aligned with application delivery needs
• Create and execute unit, integration, and regression tests for stored procedures and database logic to ensure correctness and performance
• Enforce security best practices, including Azure Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) authentication and authorization
• Support audits and compliance initiatives related to HITRUST, and SOC 2
• Lead database development standards, best practices, and documentation across the organization
• Support or contribute to Medallion (Bronze/Silver/Gold) Data Lake architectures using Microsoft Fabric

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience as a Database Developer, Database Engineer, or similar role
• Strong hands-on experience using MS-SQL for mission critical workloads
• Proven experience working with large-scale databases (>4TB)
• Expert-level T-SQL skills with a focus on developing and optimizing complex stored procedures and database logic
• Deep understanding of:
  • Query execution plans
  • Indexing strategies
  • Partitioning and data distribution
• Experience with Azure Entra ID authentication for SQL workloads
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a creative, analytical approach to solving data access challenges
• Experience supporting databases in highly available, production-critical environments
• Ability to translate business requirements into scalable database solutions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting healthcare systems or regulated SaaS platforms
• Familiarity with HITRUST, SOC 2, HIPAA, or similar compliance frameworks
• Experience with:
  • Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, or Datadog
  • CI/CD pipelines for database deployments
  • Performance testing at scale
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, OneLake, Pipelines, or SQL endpoints)
• Proven experience leading or contributing to data modernization initiatives, including evolving monolithic data architectures toward domain-oriented or data mesh models

What Success Looks Like

• Database code remains efficient, maintainable, and scalable under increasing application load
• Complex queries and stored procedures run efficiently and predictably
• Data access patterns evolve thoughtfully as application needs grow
• Security and compliance requirements are met without slowing development

• Engineering teams trust you as the go-to expert for database development, performance, and architecture

Benefits: 

• Generous health, dental, & vision benefits package
• Flexible paid time off   
• 11 paid company holidays
• 401k + matching
• Parental leave
• Access to our award-winning RethinkCare platform supporting neurodiversity in the workplace through parental success, professional resilience, and personal wellbeing.  

Location:  Remote opportunities are available to candidates who reside in the following states: AL, AZ, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY 

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace 

RethinkFirst is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because that is what drives curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. 

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