Linux SME - DV Cleared

CBSbutler; Reading; On-site; GBP 28,782,000 - 31,181,000; Full time

Job summary

CBSbutler is seeking a Linux Subject Matter Expert to join a high-profile technical environment onsite in Reading. You will provide senior-level Linux, DevOps and automation expertise, influencing platform design and operational excellence.

The role demands a hands-on leader who can solve complex infrastructure challenges, act as a technical authority, and collaborate across engineering, development and operations teams. Active MOD DV clearance is essential.

Qualifications

• Extensive Linux experience in enterprise environments.
• Strong hands-on DevOps and platform engineering background.
• Excellent Linux administration and troubleshooting skills.
• Scripting experience in Bash and/or Python.
• CI/CD pipelines and DevOps tooling knowledge.
• Git and source control proficiency.
• IaC experience with Terraform/Ansible.
• Container tech and orchestration familiarity.
• Solid networking and systems integration understanding.
• Experience in secure, controlled environments.
• Ability to act as a senior SME, independent contributor.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Current, active MOD DV clearance.

Responsibilities

• Act as Linux and DevOps SME, providing technical leadership.
• Design and maintain robust Linux-based infrastructure and platforms.
• Develop and improve DevOps tooling and processes.
• Automate infrastructure, configuration and operations.
• Troubleshoot complex Linux and platform issues.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines and tooling.
• Support IaC and configuration management practices.
• Contribute to platform resilience, security and performance.
• Collaborate with engineering, security and operations teams.
• Create technical documentation and best-practice guidance.
• Mentor engineers and investigate new technologies.

Skills

Linux in enterprise

DevOps / Platform Engineering

Linux administration

Scripting – Bash/Python

CI/CD pipelines

Git / source control

Infrastructure as Code

Terraform

Ansible

Containers orchestration

Networking concepts

Secure environments

Senior technical SME

Problem-solving

Communication skills

MOD DV clearance

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

Kubernetes/OpenShift

GitHub Actions

GitLab CI

Jenkins

Job description

Linux SME

Location: Reading - fully onsite
Contract: 12-month rolling contract
Rate: £600-£650 per day
IR35: Outside IR35
Clearance: Active MOD DV clearance required
Working Pattern: Full-time

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Linux Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join a high-profile technical environment based onsite in Reading.

You will provide senior-level technical expertise across Linux infrastructure, DevOps tooling, automation and platform engineering. The role will suit someone who is comfortable operating as a technical authority, solving complex infrastructure problems and working closely with engineering, development and operational teams.

Due to the nature of the environment, active MOD DV clearance is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a Linux and DevOps SME, providing technical leadership and guidance across the environment.
• Design, implement and maintain robust Linux-based infrastructure and platforms.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of DevOps processes and tooling.
• Automate infrastructure, configuration and operational processes wherever possible.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex Linux, infrastructure and platform issues.
• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines and associated tooling.
• Support infrastructure-as-code and configuration management practices.
• Contribute to platform resilience, availability, security and performance.
• Work closely with engineering, development, security and operations teams.
• Provide technical documentation, standards and best-practice guidance.
• Mentor and support other engineers where required.
• Investigate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to the existing platform.
• Participate in technical design, architecture and implementation activities.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Extensive commercial experience working with Linux in an enterprise environment.
• Strong hands-on experience across DevOps / Platform Engineering.
• Excellent Linux administration and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong scripting/automation experience, ideally with Bash and/or Python.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps tooling.
• Strong understanding of Git and source control.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code, ideally Terraform and/or Ansible.
• Experience working with containers and container orchestration technologies.
• Strong understanding of networking, systems integration and infrastructure concepts.
• Experience working in secure, highly controlled or complex technical environments.
• Ability to operate independently as a senior technical SME.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Current, active MOD DV clearance.

Desirable

• Kubernetes / OpenShift experience.
• Docker / containerisation.
• Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions or similar.
• Ansible.
• Terraform.
• Cloud platform experience.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux or equivalent.
• Experience within UK Government / MOD / Defence environments.
• Experience working with security-hardened Linux environments.
• Relevant Linux, DevOps or cloud certifications.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a genuine hands-on SME, rather than someone purely focused on management. You should be comfortable getting into the detail, diagnosing difficult technical problems and making pragmatic engineering decisions.

You'll be joining a technically demanding environment where your experience in Linux, automation and DevOps will have a direct impact on the reliability and evolution of the platform.

Contract Details

• 12-month rolling contract
• £600-£650 per day
• Outside IR35
• Full-time
• 100% onsite - Reading
• MOD DV clearance required