Infrastructure Engineer

GCHQ; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Infrastructure Engineer to join their dynamic team in Manchester. This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a vibrant environment focused on developing innovative solutions that support national security. With a starting salary of £36,408 and additional bonuses based on skills, you'll engage in diverse tasks while receiving comprehensive training and support. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits, including generous annual leave, an excellent pension scheme, and on-site facilities. If you're eager to learn and grow in a collaborative setting, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Performance recognition schemes

Interest-free season ticket loan

Excellent pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site facilities (gym, restaurant, coffee bars)

Paid parental and adoption leave

Qualifications

• Passionate about IT and technology, with a willingness to learn.
• Organized and adaptable, able to prioritize and analyze problems.

Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end solutions to optimize systems supporting our mission.
• Collaborate with teams to meet infrastructure requirements.

Skills

Technical Risk Management

Operational Security

Domain Services

OS Security

Web Technologies

Scripting

Virtualization

Networking

Automation

Monitoring

Storage

Education

GCSE grade 4/C or above in Maths

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 outside. We offer flexible hours, including compressed and part-time shifts. Working from home isn't guaranteed but may be possible occasionally. Once fully trained, you may join an on-call rota.

About Us

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber, and security agency dedicated to keeping the UK safe. We utilize advanced technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyze, and disrupt threats. We collaborate with MI5 and MI6 to protect against terrorism, cyber-attacks, and espionage. Working here offers varied, fascinating work in a supportive, inclusive environment emphasizing teamwork.

The Role

As an Infrastructure Engineer, you'll join a friendly, skilled team focused on developing end-to-end solutions to optimize systems supporting our mission. You'll be assigned a specialism—such as:

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

Contributing to your team's success, you'll develop technical skills, troubleshoot infrastructure issues, and support operational tasks, gaining exposure to unique technologies and growing your confidence and experience.

This role involves collaboration within teams and with various stakeholders to develop customer-driven infrastructure, meet requirements, and enable 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 qualification needed is GCSE grade 4/C or above, or equivalent Level 2 in Maths. No deep technical background is required—just enthusiasm, motivation, and eagerness to learn. You should be organized, adaptable, able to prioritize, analyze problems, communicate solutions clearly, and enjoy working collaboratively.

Training and Development

You'll be supported by a buddy and mentor, engage in formal and on-the-job training, and initially collaborate on tasks. The rotation through three team areas over 18 months provides comprehensive experience. Afterward, you'll be placed in the team best suited to your skills. Training programs are location-specific.

Skills Development Opportunities

Depending on your specialism, you'll develop skills in areas such as technical risk management, operational security, domain services, OS security, web technologies, scripting, virtualization, networking, automation, monitoring, and storage. We support external training and applications for specialist skill payments to recognize your abilities.

Rewards and Benefits

Starting salary of £36,408, with potential skills payments, plus benefits like:

• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years, plus holidays
• Performance recognition schemes
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site facilities (gym, restaurant, coffee bars)
• Paid parental and adoption leave

Equal Opportunities

We value diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including women, ethnic minorities, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals. Learn more at our website.

We are a Disability Confident Leader, committed to fair recruitment practices for disabled candidates who meet role criteria. See our website for support details.

Application Process

Our process is fair and merit-based:

1. Application Sift: Review of motivation and skills
2. Interview: Skills assessment and potential skills payment

If successful, you'll receive a conditional offer. The process may take 6-9 months, so continue current employment until final offer.

Eligibility and Security Clearance

You must be a British citizen or dual national, and undergo Developed Vetting (DV). Full criteria are on our website.

Additional Notes

Applicants should consider the location's practicality, as relocation costs aren't covered. Applications from outside the UK should be made when visiting the UK. Please keep application details confidential.