The Recruitment Bureau (Kent) Ltd

SQL Server and Infrastructure Engineer Northampton (Rural High-Tech Site) Full Time Permanent Office Based The Opportunity My client is a UK based innovator in advanced security and intelligence technology, designing and manufacturing products that are trusted by law enforcement and government agencies around the world. From Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM) and lawful interception to border security and specialist training, they deliver mission-critical solutions with precision and integrity. Their products have recently been recognised with a prestigious international industry award at a major counterespionage conference in the US. These are people at the very top of their field. They are now looking for a Database and Infrastructure Engineer to join their team at their rural high-tech headquarters near Northampton. This is a unique role that bridges Database Administration and Systems Engineering, built for someone who thrives on variety, ownership and real technical challenge. Please note this is a fully office based position and due to the rural location your own transport is essential. The Role You'll be responsible for the heartbeat of their customer platforms, keeping complex, high-availability systems running 24/7 for clients who simply cannot afford downtime. This is far more than a maintenance position. You'll be optimising performance, designing resilient architectures, and on occasion travelling internationally to support client deployments. Key Responsibilities Database Mastery: Performance-tuning and maintaining Microsoft SQL Server (Availability Groups and Replication), ensuring rock-solid reliability across all environments. Infrastructure Resilience: Configuring firewalls, VPNs and networking to deliver seamless, secure connectivity at all times. Virtualisation: Managing vCenter and vSphere environments that host mission-critical applications. Client Support: Providing technical expertise for internal systems and occasionally supporting international client installations when needed. Best Practice: Documenting processes and maintaining a standard of excellence across every deployment. What They're Looking For You're a pragmatic problem-solver who enjoys the variety of managing both the data and the infrastructure it lives on. You don't need to be handed a task list. You spot what needs doing and you get on with it. Essential Experience Strong proficiency in Microsoft SQL Server and preferably, but not essentially, also MySQL, with solid High Availability knowledge including Clusters, Replication and Galera. A firm understanding of networking and security (firewalls, VPN configuration), hands-on VMware experience (vSphere and vCenter), and a full UK driving licence. As the site is rurally located, your own transport is a must. Nice to Have Exposure to Neo4J or cloud technologies, knowledge of Linux (Ubuntu) and Active Directory, an interest in IoT protocols such as MQTT or LoRaWAN, IP camera systems, or experience delivering technical training to non-technical audiences. Why This Role? This is an environment where innovation is genuinely rewarded and your contribution is visible. The package reflects that. Reward: Competitive salary plus a Class A share reward scheme for exceptional contributors, company pension and financial planning services. Growth: Structured mentoring and a clear pathway into broader Cyber Security or Lead Infrastructure roles. Culture: A collaborative, open-door team where your voice carries real weight, built on three simple values: collaborative, supportive, innovative. Wellbeing: Health and wellbeing programme and free on-site parking. Purpose: You'll be working on award-winning, UK-designed products that have a genuine real-world impact on global security. Secure Today. Protect Tomorrow. Next Steps If you're looking for more variety, more responsibility and more meaning than a standard DBA or SysAdmin role can offer, we'd love to hear from you.

C++ / C# Software Developer Permanent • Full-time • Near Northampton, UK • £45,000-£60,000 DOE Are you a skilled C++ or C# developer who wants to write software that genuinely matters? Our client builds cutting-edge security and intelligence systems used by law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and national security operations across the globe. This is a rare opportunity to work on technically challenging, high-impact software - all designed and manufactured in the UK. Our client is looking to make more than one hire as they grow the team, so if you know someone who might also be a good fit, feel free to point them this way too. This is deliberately a broad list of skills that are useful to our client across a range of projects. We're not expecting any one person to have them all. If you're a strong C++/C# developer with some of these capabilities and a genuine interest in this field, we want to hear from you - applications from developers at all levels of experience are welcome. What you'll be doing Full-stack development - building high-performance, scalable solutions across frontend and backend technologies Real-time programming - writing software to process and handle live incoming data streams Integrating products with third-party APIs Contributing across all phases of the software development lifecycle Working closely with the software team lead and QA Engineer What we're looking for The essentials - you'll need to bring: 5+ years of hands-on C++ and/or C# development experience Solid experience with SQL, HTTP, JSON, FTP and WPF Proven real-time programming skills - processing live, streaming data A sound understanding of networking protocols and the OSI model A genuine appetite to learn new technologies, frameworks and research areas Bonus points if you have You don't need all of these - but any of the following will make your application stand out: VoIP/SIP/RTP/RTSP/TCP/UDP - deep working knowledge Experience with SS7, DIAMETER, VoLTE, SCTP or streamed video Unreal Engine development (C++ backend) CUDA and AI development GStreamer, FFmpeg, WebRTC and hardware-accelerated video pipelines MSSQL and large databases, HTML, Fluent 2 IoT and edge-device integration, distributed systems or event-driven architecture Knowledge of cellular telecoms networks Software defined radio - Python, Matlab, DSP, IQ processing Experience working in an Agile team What's on offer Salary of £45,000-£60,000 depending on experience and skillset 33 days' annual leave including Bank Holidays, rising to 38 days after 5 years Primarily office-based near Northampton, with one day per week working from home available after a settling-in period Travel insurance covering leisure trips for you, your partner and children 4% employer pension contribution, matched Share scheme recognising employees who consistently go above and beyond Free on-site parking Real opportunities for progression, skill development and international travel About our client With over two decades of experience, our client is a trusted partner to government agencies and law enforcement worldwide. They develop innovative, award-winning security and intelligence solutions spanning lawful interception, border security, counter-terrorism and technical surveillance countermeasures - all designed and built in the UK. The culture This is a collaborative, open and supportive team where people are given real autonomy and encouraged to take initiative. Our client operates with a fail-fast philosophy - they move quickly, learn from experience, and continuously improve. Personal development is taken seriously, with regular one-to-one manager interactions, mentoring, and access to external learning. Exceptional contributions are recognised and rewarded. Interested? If you have the right qualifications and experience, hold the permanent right to work in the UK, and live within a commutable distance of Northampton, we'd love to hear from you.