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

• 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

• 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

• 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.