Infrastructure Engineer

GCHQ; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Infrastructure Engineer to join a dynamic team dedicated to safeguarding the UK. This role offers the chance to work with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with skilled professionals to develop innovative solutions. With a focus on teamwork and a supportive environment, you'll have the opportunity to grow your technical skills while contributing to vital projects. The position includes flexible working options and a competitive salary, making it an exciting opportunity for those passionate about IT and technology. If you're eager to learn and thrive in a collaborative setting, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave

Interest-free season ticket loan

Excellent pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site gym and restaurant

Paid parental leave

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths required, no deep technical background necessary.
• Passion for IT and technology is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end solutions that optimise systems.
• Collaborate with teams to meet unique customer requirements.

Skills

Technical risk management

Operational security

Domain services (Windows/Linux)

Operating system administration

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)

Education

GCSE grade 4/C or above in Maths

Tools

vSphere

Hyper-V

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

ELK

Splunk

Job description

Some of the data collected by this provider is for the purposes of personalization and measuring advertising effectiveness.

Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

__smVID Necessary for the sign-up function on the website. This function is provided by Sumo.com. Maximum Storage Duration: 30 days Type: HTTP Cookie

AWSALB[x2] Registers which server-cluster is serving the visitor. This is used in context with load balancing, in order to optimize user experience. Maximum Storage Duration: 7 days Type: HTTP Cookie

AWSALBCORS[x2] Registers which server-cluster is serving the visitor. This is used in context with load balancing, in order to optimize user experience. Maximum Storage Duration: 7 days Type: HTTP Cookie

csrfToken Helps prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

Some of the data collected by this provider is for the purposes of personalization and measuring advertising effectiveness.

_ga[x3] Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie

_ga_#[x2] Used by Google Analytics to collect data on the number of times a user has visited the website as well as dates for the first and most recent visit. Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie

_gat[x2] Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie

_MadgexTracking[x2] Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie

_MadgexTracking_gid[x2] Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie

__eoi Used in order to detect spam and improve the website's security. Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie

_gid[x2] Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie

collect Used to send data to Google Analytics about the visitor's device and behavior. Tracks the visitor across devices and marketing channels. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker

AMP_unsent_# Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

_dd_s Registers the website's speed and performance. This function can be used in context with statistics and load-balancing. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie

dd_cookie_test_# Registers data on visitors' website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie

JobSearchCriteria Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

JobSearchResultIds Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

m_tempUsrId Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

MdgxArticlesLastSearchParams Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

giphyPingbackId Used to track the visitor's usage of GIFs - This serves for analytical and marketing purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

Some of the data collected by this provider is for the purposes of personalization and measuring advertising effectiveness.

Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

goog:cached:topics Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

NID Registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user's device. The ID is used for targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 6 months Type: HTTP Cookie

Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

pagead/gen_204 Collects data on visitor behaviour from multiple websites, in order to present more relevant advertisement - This also allows the website to limit the number of times that they are shown the same advertisement. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker

pcs/activeview Used by DoubleClick to determine whether website advertisement has been properly displayed - This is done to make their marketing efforts more efficient. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker

pcs/view Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker

csi Collects data on visitors' preferences and behaviour on the website - This information is used make content and advertisement more relevant to the specific visitor. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker

#-# Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

__Secure-ROLLOUT_TOKEN Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie

iU5q-!O9@$ Registers a unique ID to keep statistics of what videos from YouTube the user has seen. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

LogsDatabaseV2:V#||LogsRequestsStore Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: IndexedDB

remote_sid Necessary for the implementation and functionality of YouTube video-content on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

ServiceWorkerLogsDatabase#SWHealthLog Necessary for the implementation and functionality of YouTube video-content on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: IndexedDB

TESTCOOKIESENABLED Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie

VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE Tries to estimate the users' bandwidth on pages with integrated YouTube videos. Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie

YSC Registers a unique ID to keep statistics of what videos from YouTube the user has seen. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie

ytidb::LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

YtIdbMeta#databases Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: IndexedDB

yt-remote-cast-available Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

yt-remote-cast-installed Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

yt-remote-connected-devices Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

yt-remote-device-id Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage

yt-remote-fast-check-period Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

yt-remote-session-app Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

yt-remote-session-name Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage

JSMRI Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie

List of domains your consent applies to: [#BULK_CONSENT_DOMAINS#]

[#IABV2_TITLE#] [#IABV2_BODY_INTRO#]

[#IABV2_TITLE#] [#IABV2_BODY_INTRO#] [#IABV2_BODY_LEGITIMATE_INTEREST_INTRO#] [#IABV2_BODY_PREFERENCE_INTRO#] [#IABV2_BODY_PURPOSES_INTRO#] [#IABV2_BODY_PURPOSES#] [#IABV2_BODY_FEATURES_INTRO#] [#IABV2_BODY_FEATURES#] [#IABV2_BODY_PARTNERS_INTRO#] [#IABV2_BODY_PARTNERS#]

About Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient.

Do not sell or share my personal information

Infrastructure Engineer Ref. 3481

Department: Engineering
Location(s): Manchester, Samlesbury
Salary: GBP36,408, plus a recruitment bonus of GBP2,000, dependent on skills assessed during the interview. Additionally, there is an opportunity to obtain a skills bonus of GBP4,513, 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 plenty of collaboration. Work in both big and small teams, depending on the project and engage with a range of customers. Additionally collaborate with analysts across varied missions and the wider technical community to develop customer-driven infrastructure. In doing so, meet unique requirements, develop pioneering solutions and help enable the success of our mission.

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. If you're enthusiastic, motivated, and eager to learn new skills, you'll thrive in this role.

Organised and adaptable, you prioritise tasks effectively and stay focussed under pressure. You analyse problems and are willing to explore different approaches to find creative solutions. Moreover, you communicate those solutions to customers with clarity. No matter where you are in your career, if you have a passion for learning new skills in an environment that values collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation, this opportunity is for you.

Training and Development

When you start, you'll be assigned a "buddy" and a mentor to help you settle into the role and life at GCHQ. You'll engage in a mix of formal and on-the-job training and be given ownership of tasks early in your role. At the beginning, you'll collaborate with your team and line manager on initial responsibilities to develop your skills and ease into the types of projects you'll be working on. As an Infrastructure Engineer, you'll rotate through each of the three areas of our large team, spending 6 months in each area. This will help you gain comprehensive knowledge and a well- rounded experience. After 18 months, you'll be placed in the team that best matches your skills. Please note that the rotation and training programme described is specific to our Samlesbury location. Manchester will have its own tailored training programme.

Depending on your specialism, you'll have the opportunity to develop a wider range of valuable skills including:

• Technical risk management: Learn to identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks.
• Operational security: Gain expertise in protecting systems and data from threats.
• Domain services (Windows/Linux): Master the management of domain services across different operating systems.
• Operating system administration and security (Windows/Linux/Android/iOS): Enhance your skills in administering and securing various operating systems.
• Web technologies (Tor/VPNs/Proxies/CDNs/Cloud): Dive into the world of web technologies and learn to navigate complex networks.
• Scripting languages (Python/PowerShell/Bash): Develop proficiency in scripting languages to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
• Virtualisation technologies (vSphere, Hyper-V): Explore virtualisation technologies and their applications.
• Networking (Cisco, Juniper, NSX): Build your knowledge in networking with industry-leading technologies
• Automation Tooling (Terraform/Ansible/Docker): Get hands-on experience with automation tools to streamline processes.
• Monitoring and analysis (ELK, Splunk): Learn to monitor and analyse systems using powerful tools.
• Storage (3PAR & Primera): Understand the intricacies of storage solutions and their management.

We aim to develop your knowledge through exposure and using the right technologies for the problem. So, you'll get experience of a wide variety of tech tools and programming languages, and as your skills develop, we'll support your applications for specialist skill payments that recognise your abilities. We'll also encourage you to pursue external training when necessary to enhance your knowledge of new technologies and provide opportunities to gain relevant funded qualifications.

Rewards and Benefits

You'll receive a starting salary of GBP36,408, with the opportunity for additional skills payments once in role, plus other benefits including:

• 25 days of annual leave, automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years of service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan (travel and parking)
• Excellent pension scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal Opportunities

At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:

We're Disability Confident

GCHQ is proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP's Disability Confident scheme. This initiative encourages employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. As a Disability Confident employer, we aim to offer a fair and proportionate number of person-to-person interviews to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our 'Offer of Interview' (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:

• You must hold a GCSE or Level 2 qualification in Maths at Grade 4/C or above. This will be assessed during application sift.
• Demonstrate a strong motivation for applying to work for GCHQ as an Infrastructure Engineer. This will be assessed during the application sift.
• Exhibit analytical and problem-solving skills. This will be assessed during the application sift.
• Show an awareness of up-and-coming technologies. This will be assessed during the application sift.

There is a wide range of extra support available through the recruitment process to enable you to do your best. See our website for information on reasonable adjustments we can offer:

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

• Application Sift: We'll review your motivation for the role and the organisation, as well as your essential skills.
• Interview: The interview will include a skills assessment, and there will be an opportunity to obtain a skills payment, although this is not guaranteed.

Conditional Offer: If you're successful, you'll receive a conditional offer of employment.

Please note . click apply for full job details