GCP Platform Engineer

IO Associates; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based consulting firm seeks an experienced GCP/Kubernetes Platform Engineer for a transformation programme supporting critical systems for the UK Government. The role is for 6 months and outside IR35, requiring active SC clearance and up to 3 days onsite in London. Candidates should have strong Kubernetes experience and familiarity with GCP, along with skills in Terraform and CI/CD automation. This position offers a competitive daily rate of £400-£450. The role emphasizes security and collaboration with architecture teams.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in Kubernetes platform engineering (on-prem or cloud).
• GCP experience or strong transferable Kubernetes background.
• Understanding of hybrid/on-prem Kubernetes environments.
• Experience in regulated, secure or classified environments.
• Deep skills in IaC, automation and platform operations.
• Security-first mindset with strong stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Design and operate secure GCP and Kubernetes platforms.
• Build solutions for disconnected/air-gapped environments.
• Own IAM, networking, GKE and core platform services.
• Automate infrastructure using Terraform and CI/CD pipelines.
• Optimise platform performance, reliability and cost.
• Partner closely with security and architecture teams.

Skills

Kubernetes platform engineering

GCP experience

IaC and automation

Hybrid Kubernetes environments

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Terraform

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Overview

SC Cleared GCP/Kubernetes Platform Engineer | Outside IR35 | 6 Month Contract

Duration: 6 months (likely extensions)  
IR35: Outside IR35 
Rate: £400-£450 per day 
Location: Hybrid - London (3 days onsite)

I'm looking for a GCP Platform Engineer/Kubernetes Engineer to join a multi-year transformation programme delivering some of the UK Government's most critical systems.

The client is open to candidates with strong Kubernetes platform experience, even if you haven't worked directly with GDC - as GDC is fundamentally Kubernetes-based.

Responsibilities

• Design and operate secure GCP and Kubernetes platforms (GDC exposure a bonus)
• Build solutions for disconnected/air-gapped environments
• Own IAM, networking, GKE and core platform services
• Automate infrastructure using Terraform and CI/CD pipelines
• Optimise platform performance, reliability and cost
• Partner closely with security and architecture teams

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in Kubernetes platform engineering (on-prem or cloud)
• GCP experience or strong transferable Kubernetes background
• Understanding of hybrid/on-prem Kubernetes environments
• Experience in regulated, secure or classified environments
• Deep skills in IaC, automation and platform operations
• Security-first mindset with strong stakeholder communication

Bonus

• Exposure to Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) or Anthos
• Government or secure data centre experience
• AI on GCP
• Google certifications

Clearance

Must hold active SC clearance (DV preferred).

This role is Outside IR35 and requires up to 3 days onsite in the London office.

If this sounds of interest, please send your updated CV and we can have a chat.