Infrastructure Engineer Placement - 12 months - Pontefract

NEXT plc; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

NEXT plc is offering a 12-month Tech Placement in Pontefract. As a Trainee Infrastructure Engineer you’ll gain hands-on experience, supporting server infrastructure, storage, and security across our retail operations and head office, with guidance from senior engineers.

You’ll study a STEM degree with a dedicated placement year, ideally in Computer Science, IT, Cyber Security or related field. The role emphasises learning, documentation, and cross-team collaboration with Infosec and

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a STEM degree with a dedicated placement year.
• Strong attention to detail and systematic problem solving.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support build, configuration, and maintenance of server infrastructure and storage.
• Carry out security remediation activities such as patching and vulnerability identification.
• Assist in building/maintaining virtualization platforms and cloud environments.
• Follow Infosec guidance and help ensure safety and reliability of data systems.
• Update and follow technical standards and documentation with the team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Curiosity

Self-motivated

Education

STEM degree with placement

Job description

The role

Technology drives what we do at NEXT, and as a Tech Placement, you will be a vital part of our evolution. This role is designed to help you learn and grow by giving you hands‑on experience and real responsibilities.

As a Trainee Infrastructure Engineer on a 12-month placement at our Pontefract hub, you will play a hands‑on role in keeping our warehouse infrastructure secure, robust, and future‑ready. You will make a real difference by supporting the vital systems that power NEXT, working closely with our Information Security and Infrastructure teams to identify weaknesses and build secure, innovative solutions.

We don’t expect you to know everything from day one; you will be fully supported with clear technical standards, detailed documentation, and expert guidance from our Senior Engineers to help you hit the ground running and gain invaluable real‑world experience.

This is a 12-month industrial placement and applicants must be studying a relevant University Degree course that includes a dedicated placement year July 2027 to July 2028.

What you’ll take on

• - Support the build, configuration, and maintenance of server infrastructure and storage solutions across our retail operations and head office.
• - Carry out essential security remediation activities, such as patching systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and strengthening security across our wider networks.
• - Assist in building and maintaining virtualisation platforms and cloud‑based environments, ensuring our systems run efficiently.
• - Follow the strategic direction set by our Infosec team, contributing to the overall safety and reliability of our data science and server infrastructure.
• - Work collaboratively to follow established technical standards, actively using and updating documentation to support the wider team.

About you

• - Currently studying towards a STEM degree (on track for a 2:1 or higher) or a STEM Master’s degree, that includes a 12-month placement- ideally with relevant studies in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security, or a similar field.
• - An exceptional eye for detail and a systematic, logical approach to solving complex problems.
• - Natural curiosity and a strong desire to understand how systems work, and how they might break.
• - Clear and professional communication skills, allowing you to articulate findings to both technical and non-technical team members.
• - A self‑motivated, ambitious attitude with an eagerness to learn and build strong, collaborative working relationships.

BE BRAVE. BE YOU. BE NEXT.