Senior SQL Engineer 3-6 month contract | Outside IR35 | 3 days per week in Halifax Exalto Consulting is supporting an organisation that is modernising and improving the way it manages and operates its SQL Server estate. We are looking for a hands‑on Senior SQL Engineer who enjoys getting deeply technical, solving problems quickly and improving the reliability and performance of core data platforms. This role is not about overseeing an environment from a distance. It is about getting under the bonnet, removing blockers, strengthening low‑level design and ensuring the platform is robust, well‑monitored and resilient. The Opportunity You will work directly with the internal engineering and operations teams to understand where issues are coming from, how the estate is behaving and where improvements can be made. Your work will help stabilise the platform, reduce risk and increase productivity across the business. This is a role for someone who enjoys making a tangible impact in a short space of time. What You'll Be Working On Investigating and resolving SQL Server performance issues at engine level Improving low‑level platform design, including schema, indexing and storage decisions Reviewing and strengthening backup and recovery strategies Enhancing monitoring and alerting to increase visibility and reduce noisy or missing signals Identifying and removing blockers affecting performance, stability or throughput Providing clear technical recommendations and working collaboratively with in‑house teams What We're Looking For Strong, hands‑on SQL Server engineering experience Deep understanding of performance tuning, query optimisation and execution plans Experience working at low level on SQL platform design and configuration Solid knowledge of backup, recovery and high availability strategies Ability to assess, improve and implement monitoring approaches Someone who can work independently, get up to speed quickly and drive real change Contract Details 3-6 month initial contract Outside IR35 3 days per week onsite in Halifax Competitive day rate If you are a highly capable SQL Engineer, who lives in West Yorkshire (local to Halifax), who thrives on solving complex technical problems and improving the way SQL environments operate, please apply immediately!