Job Description
Infrastructure Engineer Ref. 3481
Department: Engineering
Location(s): Manchester, Samlesbury
Salary: £36,408, plus a recruitment bonus of £2,000, dependent on skills assessed during the interview. Additionally, there is an opportunity to obtain a skills bonus of £4,513, based on a skills review during your first year in the role.
Job description
Flexible Working: This role is primarily office-based, with most work undertaken in the office and a small proportion outside. We offer flexible hours, including compressed and part-time shifts. While working from home isn’t guaranteed, it might be possible occasionally, based on personal and business needs. Once fully trained, you may be required to join an on-call rota.
About Us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyze, and disrupt threats. Working with MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks, and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive, inclusive environment emphasizing teamwork.
The Role
As an Infrastructure Engineer, you’ll join a friendly, skilled team dedicated to finding end-to-end solutions that optimize our systems and support our mission. You’ll be assigned a specialism based on your suitability, either at recruitment or after an in-role assessment. Specialisms include:
* Tailored Acquisitions
* Platform Engineers
* Network Engineers
* DevOps Engineers
* Web Technology SMEs
Regardless of your specialism, you’ll have influence and impact, developing solutions for infrastructure or operational challenges, and honing technical skills to advance your career. You’ll troubleshoot infrastructure issues and support operational tasks, gaining exposure to unique technology and growing in confidence and experience.
This role involves collaboration within teams of various sizes, engaging with customers, analysts, and the wider technical community to develop customer-driven infrastructure, meet requirements, and enable our mission’s success.
About You
Are you passionate about IT and technology? Do you thrive in vibrant environments and love learning? If so, this opportunity is for you!
You only need one qualification: GCSE grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in Maths. No other specific qualifications or deep technical background are required. You might have a STEM background, experience in a small company with exposure to end-to-end products, or simply a passion for IT. Enthusiastic, motivated, and eager to learn, you’ll thrive here.
Organized and adaptable, you prioritize tasks effectively, analyze problems, and communicate solutions clearly. No matter your career stage, if you’re passionate about learning in a collaborative, innovative environment, this role suits you.
Training and Development
On starting, you’ll be assigned a buddy and mentor to help you settle in. You’ll engage in formal and on-the-job training, taking ownership of tasks early. You’ll rotate through three team areas over 18 months, gaining comprehensive knowledge and experience. Afterward, you’ll be placed in the team that best matches your skills. Note: rotation and training are specific to our Samlesbury location; Manchester has its own program.
Depending on your specialism, you’ll develop skills in areas such as:
* Technical risk management
* Operational security
* Domain services (Windows/Linux)
* Operating system administration and security
* Web technologies (Tor/VPNs/Proxies/CDNs/Cloud)
* Scripting (Python/PowerShell/Bash)
* Virtualization (vSphere, Hyper-V)
* Networking (Cisco, Juniper, NSX)
* Automation tools (Terraform, Ansible, Docker)
* Monitoring and analysis (ELK, Splunk)
* Storage (3PAR & Primera)
We support your development through exposure, technology use, external training, and funded qualifications.
Rewards and Benefits
Starting salary: £36,408, with potential skills payments and benefits including:
* 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years, plus 10.5 days public holidays
* Performance recognition schemes
* Interest-free season ticket loan
* Excellent pension scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Facilities like gyms, restaurants, coffee bars (at some locations)
* Paid parental and adoption leave
Equal Opportunities
We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. Our culture emphasizes inclusivity, and we aim to reflect society in our workforce. More info on our website.
We’re Confident
GCHQ has achieved Leader status in the DWP’s Confident scheme, supporting disabled applicants through fair recruitment and development practices. To secure an interview, you must meet essential criteria, including GCSE Maths Level 2 or equivalent, motivation, analytical skills, and awareness of emerging technologies. Support is available through our recruitment process, with details on our website.
What to Expect
The recruitment process includes:
* Application Sift
* Interview with skills assessment
* Conditional Offer
Applications take about 6-9 months, including vetting. Continue current employment until final offers are made.
Before You Apply
You need to be British or hold dual citizenship, and meet security clearance requirements. Review our eligibility criteria and support options on our website. The role is based in Samlesbury or Manchester; consider travel and relocation implications. Apply from within the UK only. Discuss your application only with close contacts.
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