Lead Technology Engineer (Database)

About us

About The Role

As part of the IT & Digital team at National Grid Electricity Distribution, you’ll play a key role in using technology to support and transform the electricity network that millions of people rely on every day.

As Database Lead Tech Engineer, you’ll help drive technological innovation and improve the performance, resilience and efficiency of our critical systems. You’ll work with modern technologies to optimise operations, enhance customer experiences and help ensure the continued reliability of our electricity distribution network.

Working alongside teams from across IT, Digital and the wider business, you’ll contribute to the design, implementation and ongoing development of technology solutions that underpin critical national infrastructure. It’s an opportunity to use your technical expertise in an environment where the systems you support have a real-world impact.

What You'll Do

As Database Lead Tech Engineer, you’ll provide technical leadership across our database platforms and services, combining hands-on technical expertise with responsibility for leading and developing the team.

What you’ll do:

• Act as the technical authority for our database platforms and services, defining engineering standards, patterns and best practices that support secure, reliable and high-performing solutions.
• Lead the delivery of key milestones and business-as-usual activities across our database estate, covering both on-premise and cloud environments.
• Lead, support and develop a team of technical specialists, contractors and vocational trainees, setting clear objectives and helping individuals build their skills and capabilities.
• Work closely with Audit, Cyber Security and Data teams to ensure our database platforms, objects and content meet the required standards for governance, compliance and security.
• Collaborate across Architecture, Product, Portfolio, Cyber Security and Agile Delivery teams to understand requirements and ensure database solutions integrate effectively across the wider technology landscape.
• Support the management, implementation and ongoing development of database technologies and platforms, including reporting, licensing and budget responsibilities.
• Provide clear technical leadership and direction, creating an environment that encourages high performance, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation.
• Help ensure the resilience of our critical services, with the potential to participate in a standby rota providing out-of-hours support when required.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced database engineering professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership skills. You’ll be comfortable taking ownership of complex database environments, leading engineers and technical partners, and making informed decisions that keep critical services secure, resilient and performing at their best.

You’ll have:

• Strong technical experience across Oracle, SQL Server and PostgreSQL, with a solid understanding of database tooling, configuration and engineering best practices.
• The ability to identify, analyse and manage technical risks across databases, infrastructure and wider technology platforms.
• A strong understanding of both physical and virtual infrastructure, alongside a working knowledge of networking, firewalls and technology licensing.
• Experience using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices to support consistent, automated and scalable infrastructure and database environments.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with experience leading engineers, technical specialists and partners to achieve successful outcomes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the confidence to tackle complex technical challenges and make well-informed decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and workstreams while maintaining a clear focus on quality, delivery and operational resilience.
• Experience supporting recruitment and conducting technical interviews, alongside a passion for developing people and creating a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

What You'll Get

• Competitive Salary: £63,000 - £78,000 per annum (based on capability, and experience)
• Annual performance incentive of up to 30% of eligible earnings
  

Additional benefits:

• A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%
• You will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance
• Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes
• Access to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness
• Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare
  

More information

This role is offered on a full time basis.
We are also offering hybrid /flexible working. Base location for this role will be Plymouth.
This role closes on 18th November however we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible.