Infrastructure Engineer

GCHQ; Chorley; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks an Infrastructure Engineer to join a dynamic team dedicated to optimizing systems and supporting national security. This role offers the chance to work with cutting-edge technology and develop solutions for unique challenges. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, you'll gain exposure to various technologies and enhance your skills in a supportive environment. Enjoy flexible working hours and a range of benefits while making a real impact in safeguarding the UK. If you're passionate about IT and eager to learn, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Interest-free season ticket loan

Excellent pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Facilities like gym and restaurant

Paid parental and adoption leave

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths or equivalent Level 2 qualification required.
• No deep technical background needed, just enthusiasm for IT.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Technical risk management

Operational security

Domain services (Windows/Linux)

Operating system administration and security (Windows/Linux/Android/iOS)

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

Scripting languages (Python/PowerShell/Bash)

Virtualisation technologies (vSphere, Hyper-V)

Networking (Cisco, Juniper, NSX)

Automation Tooling (Terraform/Ansible/Docker)

Monitoring and analysis (ELK, Splunk)

Storage (3PAR & Primera)

Education

GCSE grade 4/C or above

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 of the work undertaken in the office and a small proportion of time working outside of the office. We offer flexible working hours, including options for compressed and part-time shifts. While working from home isn't guaranteed, it might be possible on occasion, based on personal and business needs. Once you're fully trained, you may also be required to 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 our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you'll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The Role

As an Infrastructure Engineer, you'll become part of a friendly and 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 stage or following an in-role assessment. Specialisms include:

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

Whatever your specialism, you'll have real influence and impact. You might develop solutions for existing and future infrastructure or create innovative approaches to operational challenges. By contributing to your team's success, you'll also hone technical skills that advance your career. Whether you're troubleshooting infrastructure issues or supporting operational tasks throughout their lifecycle, gain plenty of exposure to unique technology and grow in both confidence and experience.

This role involves collaboration in both big and small teams, depending on the project, and engagement with a range of customers. Additionally, you'll collaborate with analysts across varied missions and the wider technical community to develop customer-driven infrastructure, meet unique requirements, develop pioneering solutions, and enable our mission's success.

About You

Are you passionate about IT and technology? Do you thrive in vibrant environments and love learning new skills? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

You only need one qualification: GCSE grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in Maths. No other specific qualifications or deep technical background are required. You might have a background in STEM, experience working in a small company with exposure to end-to-end products, or simply a passion for IT and technology. Enthusiasm, motivation, and eagerness to learn are key.

Organised and adaptable, you prioritise tasks effectively and stay focussed under pressure. You analyse problems and explore different approaches to find creative solutions. You communicate those solutions clearly to customers. No matter your career stage, if you have a passion for learning and thrive in a collaborative, innovative environment, this opportunity is for you.

Training and Development

Upon starting, you'll be assigned a “buddy” and a mentor to help you settle into the role and life at GCHQ. You'll engage in formal and on-the-job training, with early ownership of tasks. Initially, you'll collaborate with your team and line manager on responsibilities to develop your skills and ease into projects. As an Infrastructure Engineer, you'll rotate through three areas of our large team, spending 6 months in each, gaining comprehensive knowledge and experience. After 18 months, you'll be placed in the team that best matches your skills. Note that the rotation and training programme is specific to Samlesbury; Manchester will have its own tailored programme.

Depending on your specialism, you'll have opportunities to develop skills such as:

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

We support your growth through exposure and appropriate technology use, encouraging applications for specialist skill payments and external training to enhance your knowledge.

Rewards and Benefits

You will receive a starting salary of £36,408, with potential for additional skills payments, plus benefits such as:

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

Equal Opportunities

GCHQ values diversity and inclusion, reflecting society and supporting our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. More info on our culture and diversity is available on our website.

We are a Disability Confident Leader, committed to fair and accessible recruitment processes. The essential criteria for securing an interview include holding a GCSE or Level 2 Maths qualification (Grade 4/C or above), demonstrating motivation, analytical skills, and awareness of emerging technologies. Additional support is available through our recruitment process, including reasonable adjustments.

What to Expect

Our fair, merit-based process includes:

1. Application Sift
2. Interview with skills assessment

If successful, you'll receive a conditional offer. The process may take 6-9 months, so we advise continuing current employment until final offers are made.

Before You Apply

Applicants must be UK citizens or dual nationals, and able to obtain Developed Vetting security clearance. Other considerations include residency, drug policy, and application security practices. Please prepare accordingly and ensure your application is submitted from within the UK.