Azure Synapse Optimization Specialist

Azure Synapse Optimization Specialist

·       Type: Contract (Initial 8 weeks, expected 24-week duration/extension).

·       Location: Remote (US-Based).

·       Start Date: Immediate.

We are seeking a high-level Azure Synapse Optimization Specialist for an urgent, high-impact contract. This role is designed for a self-starting consultant capable of leading a client through complex technical hurdles. Your primary mission is to audit, tune, and stabilize an existing Azure Synapse environment, specifically focusing on large-scale data ingestion and CDC-based replication. You will act as the technical authority to ensure performance, cost-efficiency, and operational stability.

As a subject matter expert, you will diagnose performance bottlenecks and implement architectural refinements within Azure Synapse Dedicated SQL Pools. You will bridge the gap between high-volume data ingestion (specifically Oracle-to-Synapse CDC) and seamless BI reporting.

Key Responsibilities

·       Infrastructure Tuning: Evaluate DWU sizing, workload management, and pause/resume automation to balance performance with cost.

·       Architecture Optimization: Refine table designs using advanced distribution strategies (Hash, Round Robin, Replicated) and partitioning for large-scale fact tables.

·       Performance Engineering: Identify and resolve data movement issues, skew, and tempdb pressure; optimize complex joins and aggregations to reduce shuffles.

·       Capacity Planning: Develop scaling strategies tailored for initial loads, ongoing CDC pipelines, and concurrent BI workloads.

·       Governance & Documentation: Create actionable runbooks and cost-control frameworks to ensure long-term operational health.

Required Experience & Skills

·       Expertise: 5+ years in large-scale data warehousing; 3+ years of deep, hands-on experience with Azure Synapse (Dedicated SQL Pools).

·       MPP Mastery: Advanced understanding of Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) concepts, including data movement and parallel execution.

·       Pipeline Optimization: Proven track record of tuning high-volume data ingestion and Change Data Capture (CDC) pipelines.

·       Azure Ecosystem: Proficiency in Azure Data Factory (ADF), Azure Storage, and Azure Monitor.

·       Consultative Leadership: Ability to operate independently and lead stakeholders through technical transformations.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Experience with Oracle GoldenGate or similar CDC tools.

·       Understanding of Power BI concurrency and its impact on Synapse performance.

·       Background in regulated or high-availability environments.