📍 Reading (Hybrid - 3 days per week onsite)
💰 £60.00 - £66.96 per hour (Inside IR35)
📅 12-Month Contract
🔒 Active SC Clearance Required
🇬🇧 Sole UK Nationals Only
We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join a high-profile Secure Digital Platform (SDP) programme supporting critical UK Defence and Aerospace projects. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a secure environment, delivering and supporting modern enterprise infrastructure across cloud and on-premise platforms.
Essential Requirements
Active SC Clearance (must already hold current clearance).
Sole UK National due to project security requirements.
Previous experience within UK Defence, MOD, Defence Digital or Aerospace environments.
Ability to work 3 days per week onsite in Reading.
The Role
Working within the Infrastructure & Platform Services team, you will help support, maintain and enhance enterprise infrastructure, cloud services and platform technologies. You'll contribute to secure, reliable and resilient services across Microsoft Azure and on-premise environments while supporting automation and modern infrastructure initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Support and administer cloud and on-premises infrastructure.
Maintain Windows Server and Linux environments.
Deploy, configure and support Microsoft Azure services.
Support virtualisation platforms including VMware and Hyper-V.
Assist with Kubernetes and OpenShift platform administration.
Monitor infrastructure performance, availability and capacity.
Support incident, problem and change management activities.
Assist with backup, disaster recovery and business continuity processes.
Contribute to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation initiatives.
Produce and maintain technical documentation.
Work closely with senior engineers to improve platform reliability and operational performance.
Essential Skills & Experience
Experience supporting Windows Server and/or Linux environments.
Understanding of Microsoft Azure services and cloud technologies.
Knowledge of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs and firewalls.
Experience with virtualisation technologies such as VMware or Hyper-V.
Familiarity with infrastructure monitoring and operational support.
Understanding of security principles and access management.
Knowledge of backup, recovery and disaster recovery concepts.
Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work within a collaborative engineering team.
Desirable Skills
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) and/or Azure Administrator (AZ-104).
Experience with Kubernetes, OpenShift and Docker.
Exposure to Terraform, Ansible or other Infrastructure as Code tools.
Scripting skills in PowerShell, Bash or Python.
Experience with Grafana, Prometheus or Azure Monitor.
Knowledge of DevOps practices and hybrid cloud environments.
ITIL Foundation certification.
What's on Offer?
12-month contract
£60.00 - £66.96 per hour (Inside IR35)
Hybrid working with 3 days onsite in Reading
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge secure digital platforms supporting critical UK Defence programmes
Collaborative technical environment with modern cloud and infrastructure technologiesIf you hold active SC Clearance, are a sole UK national, and have experience within Defence or Aerospace, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to discuss this opportunity in confidence
Salary description
£60.00 - £66.96 per hour