Senior Platform Engineer

Forwardrole; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Forwardrole is seeking a Senior Platform Engineer to design and evolve secure cloud platforms in Cheltenham, with hybrid working arrangements. You will drive automation, deployment improvements, and reliable platform provisioning in collaboration with Software and Cloud Engineers on live National Security programmes.

The role focuses on platform engineering rather than traditional infrastructure support, offering ownership and growth opportunities within a technically strong team.

Qualifications

• Owns and evolves secure cloud platforms for National Security programmes.
• Delivers automation and deployment improvements with strong ownership.
• Engages in technical decision-making and advocates best practices.

Responsibilities

• Build and evolve secure cloud platforms with emphasis on reliability and automation.
• Improve deployment pipelines and infrastructure as code.
• Collaborate with Software and Cloud Engineers across live programmes.

Skills

Cloud platform ownership

Automation

CI/CD

Python scripting

Linux administration

Security-conscious design

Platform engineering

Tools

AWS

Kubernetes

Terraform

Docker

Linux

CI/CD tooling

Python

Job description

If you’re spending more time maintaining platforms than improving them, this could be worth a look.

Senior Platform Engineer (National Security)

Location: Cheltenham / Gloucester area
Hybrid: Flexible depending on programme
Salary: £75,000–£95,000+
Clearance: Active DV / eDV required

I’m supporting a small, engineering-led National Security SME that’s built a strong reputation for doing things differently from the larger consultancies and primes.

The team is technically strong, low-ego and trusted to get on with the job. You’ll have real ownership, direct input into technical decisions and the freedom to improve how things are built rather than simply inherit someone else’s process.

What you’ll be working with

• AWS
• Kubernetes
• Terraform
• Docker
• Linux
• CI/CD
• Python / Bash
• Infrastructure as Code
• Monitoring, automation and platform reliability

The role sits firmly in Platform Engineering rather than traditional infrastructure support.

You’ll be building and evolving secure cloud platforms, improving deployment and automation, and working closely with Software and Cloud Engineers across live National Security programmes.

Why it’s worth a look

The strongest feedback I hear from engineers in environments like this is usually about the same things:

• More ownership
• Less red tape
• Better technical conversations
• Stronger team culture
• Modern tooling
• Progression without needing to move into management

It’s the kind of place where good engineers are trusted rather than micromanaged.

Clearance

Active DV or eDV clearance is required due to the nature of the live programmes.

If you’ve been wondering what life looks like outside the larger consultancies or primes, I’m happy to talk you through the role and give you an honest view of the wider market too.