Junior Operations Engineer

GradBay; Wallingford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

GradBay is seeking an Infrastructure Operations professional to help keep our systems reliable, secure and performing across on‑premises and AWS cloud environments. You will monitor Linux servers, databases and services, manage patches, backups and DR testing, and collaborate with software engineers to improve reliability.

The role emphasizes practical hands‑on learning and clear operational playbooks. You will gain experience across Linux, databases, monitoring, networking and cloud services,

Qualifications

• Solid grounding in Linux system administration and troubleshooting.
• Experience maintaining on-premises infrastructure and cloud environments.
• Familiarity with backup, disaster recovery and recovery testing.
• Willingness to patch and maintain Linux, Windows and VMware environments.
• Interest in AWS cloud services and cyber security principles.
• Ability to document processes and recovery procedures clearly.

Responsibilities

• Monitor infrastructure, databases and services to identify issues and support resolution.
• Maintain clustered database environments for availability, security and performance.
• Manage backups and support recovery testing to protect critical systems and data.
• Carry out system patching and routine maintenance across Linux, Windows and VMware.
• Support operation of on‑premises hardware and AWS cloud infrastructure.
• Keep operational documentation and recovery procedures up to date.
• Collaborate with engineers to improve reliability and monitoring.

Skills

Linux

AWS

Monitoring

Databases

Backups and DR

Patching and maintenance

Scripting

Documentation

Teamwork

Cyber security awareness

Tools

VMware

GitLab

Grafana

Prometheus

Loki

Tempo

Puppet

Job description

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am–5.30pm
• Additional requirements: Occasional planned out-of-hours maintenance and patching

Build your career in infrastructure, cloud technology and IT operations with a technology business whose digital platforms help people explore career opportunities and connect with employers.

Joining the Technology team, you’ll help keep critical systems reliable, secure and performing effectively across on-premises infrastructure and AWS cloud environments. You’ll gain practical experience across Linux, databases, monitoring, networking and cloud services, with hands‑on training and clear operational playbooks to support your development.

What you’ll be doing

• Monitoring infrastructure, databases and services to identify issues and support their resolution.
• Helping maintain clustered database environments, including their availability, security and performance.
• Managing backups and supporting recovery testing to ensure critical systems and data can be restored.
• Carrying out system patching and routine maintenance across Linux, Windows and VMware environments.
• Supporting the operation of on-premises hardware and AWS cloud infrastructure.
• Keeping operational documentation and recovery procedures accurate and up to date.
• Working with software and product engineers to improve system reliability, monitoring and operational processes.
• Developing the skills to take ownership of systems and work more independently over time.

This is a broad infrastructure operations role. Some SQL knowledge would be useful, but the main focus is maintaining the systems and platforms that support digital services.

• Linux skills: A practical grounding in Linux and a willingness to develop your system administration capabilities.
• Technical aptitude: An engineering mindset, with curiosity about how systems work and a logical approach to troubleshooting.
• Attention to detail: A methodical approach to maintenance, monitoring, documentation and following operational procedures.
• Reliability and ownership: Dependable, proactive and motivated to keep systems available, secure and performing well.
• Willingness to learn: Enthusiasm for developing across infrastructure, databases, AWS cloud services and cyber security.
• Teamwork and adaptability: Comfortable collaborating with technical colleagues and responding to changing priorities.
• Availability: Willingness to support occasional planned out-of-hours maintenance and patching.

Useful experience — not essential

Exposure to any of the following would be beneficial:

• SQL or database platforms such as MySQL, PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server.
• AWS services, virtualisation or Windows administration.
• Backups, disaster recovery, networking or system monitoring.
• Git, configuration management or infrastructure automation tools.

You do not need experience across the full technology stack to apply.

What you’ll have the opportunity to learn

The environment includes AWS services such as RDS, Aurora, EC2 and S3; Linux, Windows and VMware; Dell hardware; Cisco Meraki and pfSense networking; Puppet; Git and GitLab; Grafana, Prometheus, Loki and Tempo; and Microsoft Entra.

You’ll receive training and practical guidance, with increasing responsibility as your skills and confidence develop.

What success looks like

Reliable systems, effective monitoring, tested backups, accurate documentation and well‑maintained infrastructure with minimal unplanned downtime.

The role has a three-month probationary period. Appointment is subject to background screening.