Junior IT Engineer

Thorn SDS Ltd; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life Insurance

Health & Dental Cashback

GP & Physiotherapy

Training & Certifications

Career progression

Job summary

Thorn SDS Ltd in Farnborough, UK, is seeking a Junior IT Engineer to gain hands-on experience across IT hardware, software, networks and infrastructure in secure, mission-critical environments.

You will progress toward IT Engineer roles under mentorship, with exposure to Space, Defence and Security projects and structured training and certification support.

Qualifications

• Hands-on IT experience with hardware and software troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with Windows desktop and server environments.
• Experience or knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Active Directory.
• Experience building/configuring PCs and deploying hardware.
• Networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS and DHCP.
• Knowledge of switches/routers/VLANs and network troubleshooting is a plus.
• Linux or other OS familiarity; IT infrastructure or structured cabling helpful.

Responsibilities

• Installing, configuring and commissioning IT hardware and software.
• Setting up PCs, workstations, servers and associated equipment.
• Supporting network and infrastructure installations.
• Troubleshooting hardware, software and connectivity issues.
• Supporting upgrades, deployments and decommissioning.
• Working with structured cabling and physical IT infrastructure.
• Assisting experienced engineers on technical projects and on-site activities.
• Managing IT equipment, assets and technical documentation.

Skills

IT hardware troubleshooting

IT software troubleshooting

Windows desktop/server environments

Microsoft 365 & Active Directory

PC builds & deployment

Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS,

Job description

Ready to Take Your IT Career to the Next Level?

Perhaps you’ve spent the last year or two working in IT Support, Service Desk, Desktop Support, Infrastructure or Networking and you’re ready for something more hands-on — with a clear route to progress your career.

At Thorn SDS, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers supporting technology within the Space, Defence and Security sectors.

This isn’t a traditional IT support role. You’ll gain practical engineering experience across hardware, software, networks and infrastructure, working in secure and mission-critical environments while building the skills to progress into more advanced engineering roles.

Develop Your Engineering Career

We want this role to be a genuine step forward in your career.

You’ll work alongside experienced engineers, gaining hands‑on exposure to technologies and secure environments you may not encounter in a conventional IT support role.

As your skills and confidence grow, you’ll take on greater technical responsibility, more complex engineering work and increased ownership of projects.

Your progression could look like:

Junior IT Engineer → IT Engineer → Senior IT Engineer → Beyond

We’ll support your progression through:

• Hands‑on mentoring from experienced engineers
• Structured technical learning and development
• Support towards recognised industry certifications
• Exposure to different technologies, projects and environments
• Increasing technical responsibility as your skills develop
• Opportunities to move into specialist technical roles

What You’ll Be Doing

No two projects are the same. As a Junior IT Engineer, you could be:

• Installing, configuring and commissioning IT hardware and software
• Setting up PCs, workstations, servers and associated equipment
• Supporting network and infrastructure installations
• Troubleshooting hardware, software and connectivity issues
• Supporting upgrades, deployments and decommissioning
• Working with structured cabling and physical IT infrastructure
• Assisting experienced engineers on technical projects and on‑site activities
• Managing IT equipment, assets and technical documentation

As you progress, the work progresses with you — moving from supporting engineering activities to taking ownership of increasingly complex technical tasks and projects.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with practical IT experience who is ready to build on their existing skills and develop into an accomplished IT Engineer.

Experience or knowledge in some of the following would be useful:

• IT hardware and software troubleshooting
• Windows desktop and/or server environments
• Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
• PC builds, configuration and deployment
• Networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS and DHCP
• Switches, routers, VLANs or network troubleshooting
• Linux or other operating systems
• IT infrastructure or structured cabling

Qualifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Microsoft certifications or Cisco CCNA would be an advantage, but they’re not essential. Hands‑on experience, technical aptitude and a willingness to learn are just as important.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys solving problems, is curious about technology, communicates well and is comfortable getting hands‑on with IT equipment.

What You’ll Get

• £25,000 – £30,000 salary, depending on experience
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Monday-to-Friday working
• Company pension and Life Insurance
• Health & Dental Cashback Plans
• Wellbeing services, including access to a GP and physiotherapy
• Ongoing technical training and development
• Support towards professional certifications
• Clear Junior IT Engineer → IT Engineer → Senior IT Engineer progression
• Opportunities to specialise in Infrastructure, Networking, Cloud or Cyber Security

Ready for Your Next Move?

Don’t just take another IT support job. Build your engineering career.

Important Information

All applicants must already hold the Right to Work in the UK.

Successful applicants will be required to obtain the appropriate UK Government Security Clearance prior to appointment and must meet the required eligibility criteria.

Due to the nature of our work, factors including nationality, previous nationalities and country of birth may affect the projects or roles for which an individual is eligible. Further information on national security vetting and clearance eligibility is available on GOV.UK.

A full UK driving licence would be advantageous, as occasional UK travel may be required.