Infrastructure Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Milnrow; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Infrastructure Engineer to join their skilled team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology while contributing to national security. You'll be involved in troubleshooting infrastructure issues, developing solutions, and collaborating with a diverse range of professionals. With a focus on training and development, you'll rotate through various areas to enhance your skills and career. Enjoy a supportive environment that values innovation and teamwork, along with competitive benefits including flexible working options and generous leave policies.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Employee performance recognition

Interest-free season ticket loan

Excellent pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Facilities like gym, restaurant, coffee bars

Paid parental and adoption leave

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in IT and technology with a passion for learning.
• Ability to analyze problems and communicate solutions effectively.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot infrastructure issues and support operational tasks.
• Collaborate with teams to develop customer-driven infrastructure solutions.

Skills

Technical risk management

Operational security

Domain services (Windows/Linux)

Operating system administration

Web technologies (Tor/VPNs/Proxies/CDNs/Cloud)

Scripting (Python/PowerShell/Bash)

Virtualisation (vSphere, Hyper-V)

Networking (Cisco, Juniper, NSX)

Automation tools (Terraform, Ansible, Docker)

Monitoring and analysis (ELK, Splunk)

Storage (3PAR & Primera)

Education

GCSE grade 4/C or above

Level 2 qualification in Maths

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

vSphere

Hyper-V

ELK

Splunk

Job description

Job Description

Infrastructure Engineer Ref. 3481

Department: Engineering
Location(s): Manchester, Samlesbury

Salary: £36,408, plus a recruitment bonus of £2,000, dependent on skills assessed during the interview. Additionally, there is an opportunity to obtain a skills bonus of £4,513, based on a skills review during your first year in the role.

Job description

Flexible Working: This role is primarily office-based, with most work undertaken in the office and some time outside. We offer flexible hours, including compressed and part-time shifts. While working from home isn’t guaranteed, it may be possible occasionally, based on needs. Once fully trained, you may also join an on-call rota.

About Us

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied, fascinating work in a supportive, inclusive environment emphasizing teamwork.

The Role

As an Infrastructure Engineer, you’ll join a friendly, skilled team dedicated to finding end-to-end solutions that optimise our systems and support our mission. You’ll be assigned a specialism based on your suitability, either at recruitment or following an assessment. Specialisms include:

• Tailored Acquisitions
• Platform Engineers
• Network Engineers
• DevOps Engineers
• Web Technology SMEs

Regardless of your specialism, you’ll influence and impact our work, developing solutions for infrastructure and operational challenges. You’ll gain exposure to unique technologies, honing your skills and advancing your career. Your responsibilities include troubleshooting infrastructure issues and supporting operational tasks throughout their lifecycle.

This role involves collaboration within teams and with various customers. You’ll engage with analysts and the wider technical community to develop customer-driven infrastructure, meet requirements, and support our mission’s success.

About You

If you’re passionate about IT and technology, thrive in vibrant environments, and love learning, this opportunity is for you! The only formal qualification required is GCSE grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in Maths. No deep technical background is necessary; a background in STEM, experience in small companies, or a passion for IT is sufficient. Enthusiasm, motivation, and eagerness to learn are key.

You should be organized, adaptable, able to prioritize tasks, analyze problems, and communicate solutions clearly. We value collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation, regardless of your career stage.

Training and Development

New starters will be paired with a buddy and mentor. You’ll undergo formal and on-the-job training, taking ownership of tasks early on. You’ll rotate through three areas of our large team, spending six months in each, to gain comprehensive experience. After 18 months, you’ll be placed in the team that best matches your skills. Note that rotation and training are specific to our Samlesbury location; Manchester has a tailored program.

You’ll develop skills in:

• Technical risk management
• Operational security
• Domain services (Windows/Linux)
• Operating system administration and security
• Web technologies (Tor/VPNs/Proxies/CDNs/Cloud)
• Scripting (Python/PowerShell/Bash)
• Virtualisation (vSphere, Hyper-V)
• Networking (Cisco, Juniper, NSX)
• Automation tools (Terraform, Ansible, Docker)
• Monitoring and analysis (ELK, Splunk)
• Storage (3PAR & Primera)

We support your skill development through exposure, technology application, and external training, including funded qualifications.

Rewards and Benefits

Starting salary: £36,408, with potential for skills payments and benefits such as:

• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years, plus 10.5 public holidays
• Employee performance recognition
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Facilities like gym, restaurant, coffee bars (at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave

Equal Opportunities

We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including under-represented groups. Our culture and environment are inclusive. More info at our website.

GCHQ is a Leader in the DWP’s Confident scheme, ensuring fair recruitment practices for disabled candidates who meet role criteria.

Application Criteria

• GCSE or Level 2 Maths at Grade 4/C or above
• Motivation to work for GCHQ
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Awareness of emerging technologies

Support is available during recruitment. Details at our website.

What to Expect

The process includes application review, interview with skills assessment, and a conditional offer. The entire process may take 6-9 months, so continue current employment until final offer.

Before You Apply

You must be British or dual British, and eligible for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. Read full eligibility and vetting info on our website. For security, use a separate, non-identifiable email for applications, and consider practicalities like location and travel costs. Applications from outside the UK should be made when visiting the UK.