Infrastructure Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Great Harwood; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Infrastructure Engineer to join a skilled team dedicated to optimizing systems and supporting national security. This role offers the chance to develop solutions for complex infrastructure challenges while gaining exposure to cutting-edge technologies. With a focus on collaboration and continuous learning, you'll enjoy a supportive environment that values diversity and innovation. The position comes with competitive salary options, flexible working arrangements, and numerous benefits, including generous leave and professional development opportunities. If you're passionate about IT and eager to grow your skills, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.

Benefits

25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years

Recognition through performance schemes

Interest-free season ticket loan

Excellent pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Facilities like gyms and cafes

Paid parental and adoption leave

Qualifications

• Passion for IT and eagerness to learn are essential.
• Organized, adaptable, and able to communicate solutions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop solutions for infrastructure and operational challenges.
• Collaborate within teams and with customers to meet requirements.

Skills

Technical risk management

Operational security

Domain services (Windows/Linux)

OS administration and security (Windows/Linux/Android/iOS)

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

Scripting (Python/PowerShell/Bash)

Networking (Cisco, Juniper, NSX)

Automation tools (Terraform, Ansible, Docker)

Monitoring tools (ELK, Splunk)

Storage solutions (3PAR & Primera)

Education

GCSE grade 4/C or above in Maths

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

vSphere

Hyper-V

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 a small proportion 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 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 and 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 solutions that optimise our systems and support our mission. You’ll be assigned a specialism—either at recruitment or after an assessment—such as:

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

In your role, you’ll develop solutions for infrastructure and operational challenges, contributing to your team’s success and honing your technical skills. You’ll troubleshoot issues and support operational tasks, gaining exposure to unique technologies and growing professionally.

This role involves collaboration within teams and with customers, analysts, and the wider technical community to develop infrastructure that meets specific requirements and enables our mission.

About You

If you’re passionate about IT, thrive in vibrant environments, and love learning, this is an exciting opportunity! You only need one qualification: GCSE grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent Level 2 in Maths. No other specific qualifications are necessary. Experience in STEM, working in small companies, or a passion for IT is beneficial. Enthusiasm, motivation, and eagerness to learn are key.

You should be organized, adaptable, able to prioritize, analyze problems, and communicate solutions clearly. Regardless of your career stage, if you value collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation, this role suits you.

Training and Development

New starters will be assigned a buddy and mentor. You’ll receive formal and on-the-job training, with early responsibilities to develop your skills. You’ll rotate through three areas of our team, spending six months in each, to gain comprehensive experience. After 18 months, you’ll be placed in the team best suited to your skills. Note: Rotation and training are specific to the Samlesbury location; Manchester has a tailored program.

Depending on your specialism, you can develop skills in:

• Technical risk management
• Operational security
• Domain services (Windows/Linux)
• OS administration and security (Windows/Linux/Android/iOS)
• 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 tools (ELK, Splunk)
• Storage solutions (3PAR & Primera)

We support your growth through exposure, training, and applications for specialist payments. External training and qualifications are encouraged to enhance your skills.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll start with a salary of £36,408, with potential for skills payments and benefits like:

• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years, plus 10.5 days holidays
• Recognition through performance schemes
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Facilities like gyms and cafes (at some sites)
• Paid parental and adoption leave

Equal Opportunities

We value diversity to reflect society and encourage applications from under-represented groups, including women, minorities, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals. Learn more at our website: https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/life-at-gchq/-.html

We’re Confident

GCHQ is a Leader in the DWP’s Confident scheme, supporting disabled applicants. To secure an interview, you must meet the essential criteria, including a GCSE/Level 2 Maths qualification, motivation, problem-solving skills, and awareness of emerging technologies.

Additional support is available through our website: https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/how-to-apply.html

What to Expect

Our process is fair and merit-based, including:

• Application Sift
• Interview with skills assessment
• Conditional Offer

Applications may take 6-9 months, so continue current employment until final offer.

Before You Apply

You must be British or dual British. Full eligibility info is on our site. The role requires Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. We advise setting up a separate, non-identifiable email for applications. The role is based in Samlesbury or Manchester; consider travel and relocation costs, as we do not cover these. Applications from overseas should wait until visiting the UK. Discuss your application only with close contacts.