DevOps Engineer

National Physical Laboratory; Teddington; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned scientific organization in Teddington is seeking a Senior Software Engineer skilled in DevOps automation and container orchestration. This role involves overseeing software release management, developing automation scripts, and managing content deployment. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and technical proficiency in various tools including Docker and Terraform. Applicants must be eligible for SC security clearance.

Benefits

Flexible working

Broad range of rewards

Social activities

Qualifications

• Recent experience delivering DevOps solutions is required.
• Interest in Physics and measurements is desirable.
• Ability to obtain SC security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee automated software release management for various environments.
• Develop scripts for automation of DevOps functions.
• Manage all content going live.

Skills

DevOps solutions delivery

Team leadership

Risk assessment and management

Clear communication

Tools

Packer

Terraform

Ansible

CI/CD practices

Docker

Python

Shell scripting

Job description

Our world‑leading Time & Frequency department are seeking an experienced and practising Senior Software Engineer with proven expertise in DevOps automation and container orchestration.

About the role

You will be joining our team at an exciting time – we maintain the UK’s National Time Scale, UTC (NPL), and are currently developing a new resilient Time Scale facility that will underpin our Critical National Infrastructure. This will address the risks associated with our dependency on global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS) that are vulnerable to both natural and intentional interference.

You’ll work closely with the Product Manager(s) and Delivery Manager(s) to align product and business requirements, develop proposals, and balance tech debt to deliver product functionality.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee software release management – automated deployment to multiple on‑prem and cloud environments
• Develop scripts to automate DevOps functions
• Manage all content going live

About you

Reporting to a Programme Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in the design of critical UK infrastructure that pushes the boundaries of measurement accuracy for the UK’s new resilient Time Scale.

To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills, experience, and qualifications:

• Proven and recent experience in the delivery of DevOps solutions
• Team leadership
• Risk assessment and management
• Security mindset
• Clear communicator

Essential technical skills

• Automation – Packer, Terraform, Ansible, CI/CD practices, developing pipelines
• Unix system administration
• Cloud platform administration
• Docker, container orchestration
• Python and shell scripting
• Professional software development experience

It is also desirable if you have interest in Physics, measurements, and communications, for example:

• Time and frequency measurement and time scale steering
• Real‑time monitoring and control of electronic hardware
• Satellite communication, optical fibre and GNSS‑based systems

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role in the Time & Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

About NPL

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world‑leading centre of excellence that provides cutting‑edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here (The measure of us – Overview).

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, provided they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well‑being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work‑life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.