Database architect Jobs in Burlington, ON

Job Title: Software Developer – SME (Subject Matter Expert)
Location: Toronto, ON
Experience: 9+ Years
Job Type: Contract

Job Summary

We are seeking a Software Developer Subject Matter Expert (SME) with extensive experience in application architecture, software engineering, API design, data integration, ETL/data pipelines, front-end/back-end integration, and database technologies. The SME will provide technical leadership across the software development life cycle, establish development standards, guide complex implementation decisions, and ensure the delivery of secure, scalable, high-performance applications. This role requires deep expertise in programming languages, query languages, relational and hierarchical databases, and rapid application development practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical design, development, integration, modernization, and maintenance of complex software applications.

• Define application architecture, technical design patterns, API standards, and integration strategies.

• Architect, develop, and optimize APIs and web services for reliable communication across enterprise systems.

• Lead front-end and back-end integration efforts, ensuring performance, scalability, security, and maintainability.

• Design and oversee robust ETL processes and data pipelines, including data transformation, validation, reconciliation, and error recovery.

• Establish programming standards and guide the use of object-oriented programming principles and relevant 3GL languages.

• Design and optimize complex database queries, data access strategies, and database interactions.

• Provide technical expertise in relational and hierarchical database environments, including data modeling, query optimization, and data integrity.

• Evaluate and recommend technologies, frameworks, RAD tools, and development approaches based on business and technical requirements.

• Lead the development and modernization of internet-ready applications and enterprise application platforms.

• Diagnose and resolve critical production issues involving APIs, application logic, data pipelines, database performance, and system integration.

• Establish best practices for application security, exception handling, logging, monitoring, testing, and performance optimization.

• Conduct architecture and code reviews, assess technical risks, and ensure adherence to enterprise development standards.

• Provide technical mentorship to junior and senior developers and support knowledge transfer across development teams.

• Collaborate with architects, project managers, business stakeholders, database administrators, security teams, and quality assurance professionals.

• Develop technical roadmaps, design documentation, implementation guidelines, and recommendations for application improvements.

• Support technical assessments, proof-of-concept development, complex troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 9+ years of professional experience in software development, application engineering, or a related technical discipline.

• Expert-level knowledge of application design, development, integration, and software engineering best practices.

• Extensive experience designing and implementing APIs, web services, and enterprise application integrations.

• Strong expertise in front-end/back-end integration and development of internet-ready applications.

• Significant experience designing and optimizing ETL workflows, data pipelines, and data integration solutions.

• Advanced proficiency in object-oriented programming, software design principles, and one or more 3GL languages, such as Java, C#, C++, or Python.

• Expert-level SQL and query optimization skills, with substantial experience in relational databases and working knowledge of hierarchical database environments.

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and implement RAD approaches, frameworks, and development tools.

• Experience with application architecture, scalability, performance tuning, security, and production support.

• Strong understanding of software development life cycles, testing strategies, version control, deployment, and release management.

• Proven ability to lead technical design discussions, review complex code, resolve high-impact issues, and mentor development teams.

• Excellent communication, analytical thinking, technical documentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise application modernization or system integration initiatives.

• Knowledge of distributed systems, cloud platforms, API gateways, messaging, and enterprise data architectures.

• Experience establishing reusable development frameworks, coding standards, and engineering governance practices.

• Ability to assess emerging technologies and recommend solutions aligned with organizational objectives.