Oracle Database Engineer

BAE Systems is looking for an Oracle Database Engineer to join the Christchurch team on a full-time, on-site basis. This role sits within a foundation-focused programme that delivers systems and software to MoD locations from the Christchurch site. It’s a chance to work on advanced, technology-led defence and security solutions with a global company that emphasises purposeful work and continuous learning. The salary goes up to £58,900 a year, dependent on your skills and experience.

Underpinning the work is a strong focus on security, reliability and patch management in Oracle environments. The role is onsite in Christchurch, and it suits someone who likes hands-on database work, collaborating with a cross-functional team, and contributing to mission-critical systems. If you enjoy turning complex requirements into robust database solutions and you’re comfortable with security controls and patch cycles, this could be a good fit.

The Foundation team covers a wide range of activities, from design and installation to integration, testing and training, delivering on MoD-related projects from the Christchurch site. BAE Systems positions this as a place where you can grow with purpose, supported by a culture that values inclusivity, wellbeing and steady development.

Across the Oracle lifecycle in Christchurch

In this role you’ll participate across the full development lifecycle for Oracle databases, helping translate requirements into practical database design, specifications and validation. You’ll help shape database tables, implement Oracle packages via SQL, and monitor performance to keep systems responsive and stable. On top of that, you’ll work on configuring Windows, Linux and RHEL hosts and manage the installation of Oracle software, including upgrading and migrating versions. Automation comes into play too, with patching tasks being automated using PowerShell to keep processes efficient while maintaining strong security controls.

Day to day, you’ll balance hands-on technical work with collaboration across teams to ensure patches, updates and configurations align with production needs. You’ll stay alert to Oracle updates and vulnerabilities, engaging with Oracle when patches are required and staying ahead through horizon scanning for security gaps. The environment emphasises a practical, lifecycle-driven approach to delivering reliable database services in a government-focused setting.

What you’ll bring to the role

To step into this position, you should demonstrate a solid track record with Oracle databases in production environments, particularly Oracle 19c on Windows Server. You’ll be comfortable managing users, roles and profiles to enforce secure, least-privilege access, and you’ll have hands-on experience with Oracle patch updates and patch set updates, including the assessment, planning and application of patches via OPatch. You’ll also be able to discuss your experience supporting production systems, including incident troubleshooting and root cause analysis, and you’ll be familiar with the systems development lifecycle from design through testing. Finally, you should be able to install Oracle and migrate patches to newer versions, ideally with PowerShell handling the automation.

• Solid hands-on experience running Oracle Database 19c on Windows Server environments
• Strong practices for user management, roles and profiles to maintain secure, least-privilege access
• Practical knowledge of Oracle CPU and PSU patches, including patch assessment, planning and OPatch-based implementation
• Experience supporting production environments with incident troubleshooting and root cause analysis
• Familiarity with the systems development lifecycle from design to testing
• Ability to install Oracle and migrate to newer versions, ideally using PowerShell for automation

Nice-to-haves that would help

• Experience configuring Windows and Linux operating systems in support of database services
• Exposure to multi-disciplinary project teams and environments that mirror the Foundation team’s scope

Pay, benefits and practical details

The role offers a salary up to £58,900 per year, with the final figure dependent on your skills and experience. It’s an on-site position based in Christchurch. The company highlights an inclusive workplace and rewards that align with what matters to you and your family, plus support for financial and personal wellbeing and a balanced lifestyle. Note that many roles at BAE Systems may be subject to security and export restrictions. Applicants must, at minimum, achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard, and higher levels of National Security Vetting may require 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the role. The Closing Date for applications is 22nd October 2026, and the company reserves the right to close early if enough strong applicants are found.

Advice for applicants

Tip 1: Lead with your Oracle 19c administration experience on Windows Server in your resume, and call out concrete achievements where you implemented secure access controls and robust patching processes.

Tip 2: Show how you’ve handled CPU and PSU patches, including patch assessment, planning and deployment with OPatch, and describe any PowerShell automation you’ve built to streamline those tasks.

Tip 3: Prepare to discuss production support work, including a specific incident you investigated and the steps you took to identify the root cause and implement a lasting fix.

Tip 4: If you want to ask a thoughtful question in the interview, ask how the Foundation team collaborates with MoD customers on delivery and what success looks like for this role within that context.

How to apply

To be considered, submit your application for requisition 00137928 by the Closing Date of 22nd October 2026. The position is on-site in Christchurch, NZ, and the salary sits up to £58,900 depending on experience. Prepare to discuss your experience with Oracle 19c, patch management with OPatch and your approach to secure, lifecycle-driven database operations.