Senior Data Engineer

Leonardo; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Flexible hybrid working

Continuous learning via online courses

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to design and build secure, scalable data platforms supporting defence, government, and commercial operations. You will own data engineering solutions, mentor juniors, and work across hybrid and cloud environments.

In this role you will optimise SQL Server databases, implement security controls, and collaborate with DevOps, Data Scientists, Analysts and Cyber Consultants to deliver data-driven insights and ML deployment support.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in data engineering with ownership of deliverables.
• Strong Python and SQL skills; experience building and optimising data pipelines.
• Experience with SQL Server and large, complex databases.
• Knowledge of cloud technologies and data integration techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and optimise data platforms and databases.
• Collaborate with DevOps, Data Scientists and Analysts.
• Lead small work packages and mentor junior engineers.
• Support ML model deployment and data tooling.
• Ensure data security, reliability and performance.

Skills

Python

SQL

Data pipelines

Cloud platforms

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Degree in STEM or related field

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

NoSQL

Docker

Kubernetes

Spark/NiFi

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

At Leonardo, our Data Engineers play a hands-on role in designing and building secure, scalable data solutions that support defence, government, and commercial operations. Taking ownership of data engineering solutions and mentoring junior team members as you contribute to secure, scalable architectures. you’ll gain exposure to cloud platforms, big data technologies and the full data lifecycle - developing the skills to turn raw data into actionable insight across hybrid and cloud environments.

Your work at Leonardo UK will see you take the lead in solving customer problems in an agile, innovative and team-centric manner. The role may involve a blended hybrid working model, with a mixture of working from home and working on site at one of our Leonardo offices to ensure close collaboration with the wider team and with our customers.

What you will do as a Senior Data Engineer

• Design, administer and optimise SQL Server databases, ensuring performance, security, resilience, and availability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve database-related issues in development and production environments.
• Implement and maintain database security controls, backup strategies, replication, and high-availability solutions.
• Support change management activities and continuous improvement of data platform services.
• Develop tools for data-driven insights and task automation
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define data and tool requirements
• Work with cloud platforms and diverse operating systems
• Support development and deployment of machine learning models
• Collaborate with DevOps Engineers, Data Scientists, Analysts and Cyber Consultants
• Leverage big data technologies and orchestration tools
• Lead small work packages and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in data engineering with ability to work independently and take ownership of deliverables.
• Strong Python and SQL skills, with experience building and optimising data pipelines.
• Strong experience with Microsoft SQL Server and working with large, complex databases.
• Strong experience designing, administering and optimising database solutions, including performance tuning, troubleshooting, security, access controls, and working with SQL, NoSQL and cloud-based technologies.
• Experience with ETL processes and data integration techniques.
• Ability to lead small work packages and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.
• Experience contributing to design decisions and ensuring quality of outputs.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and ability to collaborate across teams.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging stakeholders and sharing technical insights.

Core Areas (must have):

• Strong experience with Microsoft SQL Server and large-scale database environments.
• Understanding of database architecture, including SQL and NoSQL technologies.
• Experience with ETL flows, data pipelines and orchestration tools.
• Experience with database query tuning and performance optimisation.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving issues in database and production environments.
• Understanding of database security and access management.
• Experience with cloud technologies.
• Exposure to Docker and APIs.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving mindset.
• Ownership of deliverables and quality.
• Leadership of small work packages.
• Mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• Proven experience in data engineering.
• Strong Python and SQL skills.

Desirable:

• Degree in STEM, Data, AI, or Programming-related field
• Experience influencing technical decisions and supporting capability growth.
• Experience with CI/CD practices
• Experience with big data tools e.g. Spark, Hadoop, NiFi
• Exposure to infrastructure scaling e.g. Kubernetes
• Exposure to Ansible and Terraform
• Understanding of ML algorithms and deployment
• Experience with SQL Server high-availability technologies, including replication, mirroring, or clustering.
• Experience with Windows Server administration.
• Exposure to PowerShell scripting and automation.
• Experience working within Agile delivery methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).
• Exposure to virtualised or cloud-hosted database environments, including Azure, AWS, or VMware.
• Experience with Visual Studio or related database development tooling.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, and plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and the customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid