Deputy Head of Engineering - DV Cleared

Sanderson Government & Defence; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Part time

Job summary

A UK Government consultancy is seeking an experienced Deputy Head of Engineering to oversee engineering operations and support digital transformation efforts. The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge in cloud, infrastructure, security, and automation, combined with strong leadership and communication skills. This role offers a day rate of circa £650+ inside IR35 and requires DV Clearance. The position is primarily located in Milton Keynes or Glasgow, with a focus on collaborative team dynamics.

Qualifications

• Broad technical knowledge across cloud, infrastructure, security, and automation.
• Hands-on experience with Azure, Intune, Entra, PKI, and containerisation technologies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Engineering in setting the strategic direction for the Platform Engineering Team.
• Oversee day-to-day engineering operations and resource planning.
• Lead governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Champion DevOps culture and continuous improvement.

Skills

Cloud knowledge

Infrastructure knowledge

Security knowledge

Automation knowledge

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Project Management

Tools

Azure

Intune

Entra

PKI

Containerisation technologies

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Deputy Head of Engineering. Day rate: Circa £650+ per day, inside IR35. Clearance Required: DV Clearance (Developed Vetting). Location: Milton Keynes OR Glasgow, 3 days per week. Duration: 6 Months.

We are seeking an experienced Deputy Head of Engineering to support the Head of Engineering in driving the strategic direction, operational excellence, and continuous improvement of the Platform Engineering Team. This is a key leadership role helping to shape and deliver the digital transformation goals of a major UK Government department. You will oversee engineering operations, resource planning, and the delivery of key initiatives, while fostering a culture of technical excellence, DevOps practices, and collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Engineering in setting the strategic direction for the Platform Engineering Team.
• Oversee day-to-day engineering operations and resource planning to ensure successful delivery of key projects.
• Lead governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Champion DevOps culture, automation, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience

• Broad technical knowledge across cloud, infrastructure, security, and automation.
• Hands-on experience with Azure, Intune, Entra, PKI, and containerisation technologies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Notes

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in a high-profile digital transformation programme, shaping engineering practices and delivering secure, cutting-edge platforms for government services.

Reasonable Adjustments

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.