Applications Operations Engineer - NCA - HEO

Manchester Digital; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking an Applications Operations Engineer to maintain and support critical digital forensic and intelligence applications. The role requires experience in providing technical support, installation of various operating systems, and collaboration with a team. Candidates must have SC clearance and a clean UK Driving Licence is desirable. This position offers a salary of £45,326 plus additional allowances, within a full-time contract.

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting digital forensic or intelligence applications.
• Ability to work in a team of IT professionals.
• Flexibility to adapt to operational demands.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and maintenance for critical applications.
• Deliver 1st, 2nd and 3rd line support efficiently.
• Install and configure a variety of operating systems and hardware.

Skills

1st, 2nd and 3rd line support

Installation and configuration of Windows Server

VMware and Hyper-V

Use of containerized technologies

Team collaboration

Education

SC clearance

Full UK Driving Licence (desirable)

Tools

Windows Server 2019, 2022

Windows 10 and 11

Job description

Overview

Applications Operations Engineer - NCA - HEO £45,326 plus RRA allowance £3,000 and London allowance £4,218. Published on 13 October 2025. Deadline 9 November 2025. Full-time (Permanent).

Location

Birmingham, Bristol, Calder (Normanton), Leicester, London*, Warrington. *For roles based in London, your contractual place of work will be Stratford. While the Stratford site is expected to become operational from November 2025 – March 2026, you will be required to carry out your contractual duties from Vauxhall or another reasonable location on a temporary basis during the interim period. Please note that, as Stratford will be your contractual place of work, any subsequent move from a temporary location will not entitle you to payments for travel time or costs under the Relocation and Excess Travel Policy.

About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking to recruit an Application Operations Engineer to join our DF Engineering Team, which works within the Specialist Operational Services (SOS) function. The SOS team works within the wider DDaT Enterprise Services function and runs and maintains the NCAs most sensitive operationally focused front-line IT services. The team is comprised of IT professionals, law enforcement and staff with a technology-focused mindset, willing to go that extra mile to achieve real world benefits for the UK. Together we ensure that specialist services are fit for purpose, agile, delivered 24/7 and have a direct impact on the NCAs mission of protecting the public from serious and organised crime (SOC). Through developing and provisioning of cutting edge technology services, the SOS function will enhance intelligence collection, surveillance and digital forensics capabilities to support the Agency’s fight against serious and organised crime.

The SOS function brings together Digital Forensics and Targeted Interception services which include International deployments. Additional teams and specialist services are also being identified to move into this Engineering function so the Agency is able to respond proactively to the changing nature of the SOC threats.

The Targeted Interception Engineering function is responsible for deployment, configuration and support of hi-end technical capabilities including infrastructure, networking and software used within Integrated Communications Intelligence (ICI) department, wider policing partners including NPCC and MPS and overseas partners. Targeted Interception Engineering leads on specifying, designing, developing, delivering and supporting new technical capabilities and for the requirements capture to make use of raw intelligence material for ICI and partners.

The Digital Forensics (DF) engineering function is responsible for deployment, configuration and support of hi-end digital forensics tools including infrastructure, networking and software used within the Investigations department and for overseas partners.

The purpose of the Applications Operations Engineer role is to support and maintain critical digital forensic and/or intelligence collection applications to ensure they meet the NCAs evolving operational demands. Working in a small team of highly enthusiastic IT professional staff, transferring skills within the team will ensure we are better placed to look after the SOS networks to provide full critical support, upgrades, development and maintenance.

The role involves supports the delivery of 1st, 2nd and 3rd line support of technical systems to a professional standard, adapting to and meeting user requirements; installing new hardware, installation and configuration of a mixture of operating systems including Windows Server 2019, 2019, 2022 and Windows 10 and 11, virtual servers (VMware and Hyper-V) and the use of containerized technologies; supporting systems maintenance in line with technical requirements for business area.

This post requires SC clearance as a minimum, with a possibility to gain DV within 12 months of being in post.

Due to the nature of this role, travel between sites may be required. A full, clean UK Driving Licence is desirable.

Please note, staff in our DF Engineering functions will form part of an on-call rota.