Senior Desktop Support Engineer

Cloud Imperium Games; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Cloud Imperium Games in Manchester is seeking three Senior Desktop Support Engineers to own the full lifecycle of desktops, workstations, and laptops, and to build standard Windows images and deployment pipelines using Intune, Autopilot, SCCM/MECM, MDT, and WDS/PXE.

You will diagnose hardware faults, apply security baselines, manage AD/Entra ID, and automate tasks with PowerShell while collaborating with Engineering, Design, QA, and Production. Travel may be required; on-call rotates.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in desktop or end-user computing engineering, including at least 2 years at a senior or escalation level.
• Expert knowledge of PC hardware and Windows 10/11 internals with ability to build, diagnose and repair high-end workstations and laptops.
• Experience designing and running OS deployment at scale using Intune, Autopilot, SCCM/MECM, and/or MDT.
• Advanced PowerShell scripting for automating tasks and processes.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of desktops, high-performance workstations, and laptops from specification to secure disposal.
• Design, build, and maintain standardised Windows 10/11 images and deployment pipelines using Intune, Autopilot, SCCM/MECM, MDT, and WDS/PXE.
• Diagnose and resolve complex hardware faults to component level and act as escalation point for Windows issues using Sysinternals, WinDbg.
• Manage endpoint configuration, patching, driver and firmware updates, and application packaging and deployment (MSI, MSIX, Win32).
• Support identity and access on endpoints (AD, Group Policy, Entra ID join and hybrid join, Microsoft 365).
• Automate repetitive tasks with PowerShell and lead desktop projects such as OS upgrades and hardware refreshes.
• Partner with Engineering, Art, Design, QA, Audio, and Production as trusted IT adviser.
• Work with Senior IT Engineers for Network and Systems, mentor team members, and share knowledge via docs and runbooks.
• Provide after-hours support on a rotating on-call schedule; international travel may be required.

Skills

Desktop support engineering

Windows OS

PowerShell scripting

Active Directory & GPO

Hardware troubleshooting

Education

Associate degree in IT or related field

Tools

Intune

Autopilot

SCCM/MECM

MDT

WDS/PXE

Sysinternals

WinDbg

Job description

We are a crowdfunded company and have a dedicated and enthusiastic community of backers who are helping us create the "Best Damn Space Sim Ever". We want to build the best we can deliver and we believe wholeheartedly in the value of exceptional diverse talent.

Founded in 2012, Cloud Imperium Games creates cutting-edge videogames that defy expectations. We’re currently developing Star Citizen, a record-breaking multiplayer online space sim, and Squadron 42, a cinematic single-player adventure set in the same universe. Join us as we break boundaries and make video game history.

Cloud Imperium Games is looking for three skilled and talented Senior Desktop Support Engineers to support our studios worldwide!

What do our Senior Desktop Support Engineers do?

• Own the full lifecycle of desktops, high-performance workstations, and laptops, including specification, build, deployment, repair, refresh, and secure disposal.
• Design, build, and maintain standardised Windows 10/11 images and deployment pipelines using Intune, Autopilot, SCCM/MECM, MDT, and WDS/PXE.
• Diagnose and resolve complex hardware faults to component level, and act as the final escalation point for difficult Windows issues using tools such as Sysinternals, Windows Performance Toolkit, and WinDbg.
• Manage endpoint configuration, patching, driver and firmware updates, and application packaging and deployment (MSI, MSIX, Win32), while applying security baselines including BitLocker, Defender for Endpoint, Conditional Access, and LAPS.
• Support identity and access on endpoints, including Active Directory, Group Policy, Entra ID join and hybrid join, and Microsoft 365 apps.
• Automate repetitive tasks and workflows with PowerShell and other scripting tools, and lead desktop projects such as OS upgrades, hardware refreshes, and new studio or team set-ups.
• Partner with departments across Engineering, Art, Design, QA, Audio, and Production as a trusted IT adviser, learning how they work and recommending the tools, hardware, and processes that help them make games faster.
• Work alongside our Senior IT Engineers for Network and Systems, mentor other members of the IT team, and share knowledge through documentation, runbooks, and knowledge-transfer sessions.
• Work UK business hours and take part in a rotating on-call schedule to provide after-hours support to studios in other time zones. International travel may be required.
  

What does a good Senior Desktop Support Engineer look like to us?

A true passion for technology is a must, and we would also like it if you:

• Have 6+ years of experience in desktop or end-user computing engineering, including at least 2 years at a senior or escalation level.
• Have expert knowledge of PC hardware and Windows 10/11 internals, with the ability to build, diagnose, and repair high-end workstations and laptops to component level and tune them for GPU-intensive workloads.
• Have proven experience designing and running OS deployment at scale using Intune and Autopilot, SCCM/MECM, and/or MDT.
• Are an advanced PowerShell scripter with a demonstrable track record of automating tasks and processes.
• Have strong working knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy, Entra ID, and Microsoft 365 administration, plus a solid grasp of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, Wi-Fi, 802.1X) and endpoint security, encryption, and patch management.
• Bring a calm, methodical approach to troubleshooting and can resolve the issues others couldn’t.
• Have excellent customer service skills, communicate clearly with non-technical colleagues, and take a collaborative, team-first approach.
• Hold certifications such as CompTIA A+, MD-102, AZ-800/AZ-801, or CCNA (or equivalents). An associate degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, but equivalent professional experience is accepted.

Experience in game development, with developer workstations, Perforce, or build infrastructure, is a bonus, as is a passion for sci-fi games and space sims.

We are always keen to hear from passionate IT engineers, so join the ‘verse and become our latest Star Citizen!

CIG Diversity Statement

CIG is a global company, staunchly committed to cultivating a culture and workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. Together, we are creating a space where authentic recognition, appreciation, and understanding of the importance of diversity is fostered by everyone. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strive to build a team that represents all walks of life, and we want every employee to bring all the things that make them unique to the work environment. The universe is as vast and varied as the people in it, and it’s our differences that make it special.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!