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Salary
≈ $86k – $151k per year (Estimated)
Location
Hybrid (Bristol, London, Southampton, Basildon, Gloucester, United Kingdom)
Seniority
Staff
Visa
Licensed UK visa sponsor
Employment
Full-Time

Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 22, 2026. First seen by Alion on Mar 28, 2024. Leonardo scores B on the Alion truth index.

Overview
Company
Impact
Profile match
Leonardo is an Italian aerospace, defence and security group headquartered in Rome that builds helicopters, aircraft, aerostructures, defence electronics, space systems and cyber security solutions. Founded in 1948 as Finmeccanica and renamed in 2017, it is listed in Milan with the Italian state as its largest shareholder, employs more than 50,000 people and has major industrial operations in Italy, the UK, Poland and the US. Its openings span cyber security engineers, systems, software and quality engineers, ground station and test engineers, project managers and customer service officers at sites such as Rome, Edinburgh, Luton, Southampton and Turin.

Job Description:

We are looking to recruit a Principal SQL Developer to work on the support of a truly unique capability, NAS. NAS is understood to be the largest number plate recognition database in the world supporting UK Policing and Law Enforcement in the detection and prevention of serious crime. The system processes over 50 million vehicle movements per day and holds a dataset of up to 60 billion records in what has been described to us as the largest Microsoft SQL Server instance in the UK.

We are looking for a forward thinking individual with strong SQL capabilities. In return, we offer our award-winning flexible benefits plan, having won the Best Flexible Working Policy Award, Best Flexible Benefits Strategy and Best Flexible Benefits Plan in 2023.

What you’ll do as a Principal SQL Developer:

  • Performance Tuning: Analyse and optimise SQL Server Databases for performance efficiency. This includes tuning complex queries, indexes, and server configurations.
  • Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve database performance issues. Provide solutions for query optimisation and server tuning.
  • Best Practice Implementation: Develop and implement best practices for database design, tuning, and maintenance.
  • Collaboration: Work closes with customer and development teams to optimise SQL queries and database schemas based on application requirements.
  • Monitoring: Support in implementing database monitoring tool to pre-emptively identify potential issues.
  • Capacity Planning: Assist in capacity planning and resource optimisation for SQL Server environments
  • Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation regarding database configuration, optimisations and best practices.

What we need from you:

You really must have:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field.
  • Strong proficiency with SQL and its variation among popular databases
  • In-depth knowledge of SQL Server performance tuning techniques
  • Proficiency in T-SQL, including writing and optimising queries, Index Management
  • Ability to plan resource requirements from high level specifications
  • Understanding of Database Engine Internals, i.e. Understanding of SQL Servers internal architecture, including how queries are processed, how data is stored and how indexes are utilised
  • Familiar with clustered SQL setups and architectures for replicating data
  • Knowledge of Locking, Concurrency Partitioning
  • Experience in configuring SQL Server Resource Governor
  • Experience in using SQL Server Profiler and Extended Events
  • Understanding of Database Sharding
  • Understanding of high availability and disaster recover
  • Proficient understanding of database structures, theories and best practices.

It would be nice if you had:

  • Certifications in SQL Server or related fields
  • Experience with cloud-base database solutions
  • Familiarity with other database technologies

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

  • Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
  • Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
  • Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us
  • Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, access to Mental Health support, Financial wellbeing support, network groups (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
  • Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
  • Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
  • Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
  • Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member
  • Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below

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

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 7,000 are based in the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location:

GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Additional Locations:

GB - Basildon - Home Based, GB - Gloucester, GB - London, GB - Southampton

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid
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