Senior Cloud Engineer

Health Research Authority; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health research organization is seeking a Senior Cloud Engineer to drive innovative cloud solutions supporting health care research in the UK. The successful candidate will design and deploy cloud infrastructure, optimize performance, and collaborate with teams to implement effective solutions. A Bachelor’s degree and experience in cloud engineering, particularly with Microsoft Azure, are required. The role offers flexible remote working options, aiming to create an inclusive and supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working

Home-based contracts

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Microsoft certification or equivalent self-study knowledge.
• Knowledge in cloud engineering or architecture focused on Azure.
• Understanding of networking, security, and identity management in Azure.
• Experience collaborating with project teams on solutions.
• Experience with DevOps practices/tools, including Azure DevOps and Git.
• Proven experience delivering digital transformation in complex organizations.
• Anticipates customer needs to improve service quality.
• Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy cloud infrastructure solutions.
• Monitor and optimise cloud environments.
• Automate processes with Infrastructure as Code tools.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define cloud solutions.
• Perform troubleshooting and optimisation of systems.
• Implement and manage cloud security protocols.
• Provide training and support for team members.
• Stay updated on industry trends and technologies.

Job description

As Senior Cloud Engineer, you will be the driving force behind the implementation and maintenance of innovative cloud tools, technologies, and solutions delivered to support health and care research applications across the United Kingdom.

You will play a pivotal role in providing support and guidance across the HRA working with our suppliers to help design, implement, and maintain our cloud infrastructure, ensuring our systems are scalable, reliable, and secure.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

• Design, develop, and deploy cloud infrastructure solutions using Microsoft Azure & M365 technologies.
• Monitor and optimise the performance, cost, and security of cloud environments.
• Automate processes and workflows using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Bicep, Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Collaborate with software developers, DevOps engineers, and other stakeholders to define and implement cloud solutions that meet business needs.
• Perform system troubleshooting, optimisation, and improvement to ensure high availability.
• Implement and manage security protocols to ensure the safety and compliance of cloud environments.
• Providing effective, training, and support for direct reports to ensure that they are empowered to carry out the responsibilities of their role,
• Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, cloud technologies, and best practices.

About us

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.

Working at the HRA, our approach to flexible working is designed to support us all, recognising that for many people, home based or hybrid working provides us with the most productive environment to work well. We will try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible.

The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle based staff can be office based. For staff based in Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol, hybrid working arrangements may be possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.

When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.

We recognise that generative AI tools can be helpful in supporting applicants during the recruitment process, particularly for tasks such as proofreading, structuring, or refining written responses. However, we encourage candidates to use AI responsibly and sparingly. Applications should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and genuine qualifications. Over reliance on AI-generated content can result in generic or inaccurate submissions that fail to meet the criteria or convey your individuality. Misrepresentation of skills, knowledge, or experience, including through AI-generated content, may lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of your offer, or your dismissal if you do start with us. If you choose to use AI, please ensure it enhances rather than replaces your own input, and be transparent about its use where appropriate. False and insincere examples go against our values of integrity and transparency.

We are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered.

Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted.

Only the information provided in the application form will be considered. CVs will not be reviewed.

We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.

Our fixed term positions are also open to applicants who wish to apply for the role on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their Line Manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.

Organisational structure and directorate overview

The HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources.

This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The directorate owns, develops, and delivers the HRAs digital strategy in line with government digital and functional standards.

The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Microsoft certification or equivalent self‑study knowledge

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

• Knowledge in cloud engineering or cloud architecture with a focus on Microsoft Azure

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

• Strong understanding of networking, security, and identity management in Azure.

Experience

• Experience of collaborating with a wider project team to identify and deliver the right solutions
• Experience with DevOps practices and tools, including Azure DevOps, Git, or similar
• Proven experience of delivering digital transformation in a complex organisation with multiple stakeholders.

Interpersonal Skills

• Anticipates customer needs to provide excellent service continually striving to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Other

• Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK with occasional overnight stays

Full‑time,Flexible working,Home or remote working,Compressed hours