Job Description
Graduate Linux Engineer (Associate Systems / Services)
Location: Farnborough, Hampshire (On-site / Hybrid as you progress)
Salary: £29,000 – £33,000 base + £5,000 bonus target
About the Role
We are looking for a Graduate Linux Engineer to join our UK engineering team and begin a long-term career as a systems and services engineer within a highly secure, specialist technology environment.
This is a true graduate / early-career role, designed for someone early in their career who wants to build deep, hands-on engineering skills over time. You do not need commercial experience — we are looking for potential, curiosity, and strong foundations, particularly in Linux.
You will work closely with senior engineers, supporting secure systems and projects while learning how complex, high-availability platforms are designed, deployed, and supported.
What You’ll Be Doing (Initially)
During your first phase in the role, you’ll focus on learning and supporting senior engineers by:
* Working extensively with Linux operating systems (Red Hat–based environments)
* Assisting with:
* Method of Procedure (MOP) documentation
* High-Level and Low-Level Design validation (HLDs / LLDs)
* Supporting system configuration, testing, and validation tasks
* Joining customer and internal engineering meetings to observe and learn
* Helping maintain accurate technical documentation
* Gradually supporting live systems under supervision
As you develop, responsibilities will increase, including deeper system troubleshooting, deployments, and customer support.
What We’re Looking For
This role is ideal for someone who is early in their career and wants to grow into a full engineer over time.
Essential:
* A degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Engineering, IT, Cyber, or a related field
* Strong interest in Linux / operating systems
* Academic modules, labs, home projects, or certifications all count
* Basic understanding of:
* Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing basics)
* How systems communicate across networks
* Willingness to work on-site frequently at the start to learn from senior engineers
* Strong communication skills and a proactive mindset
* Must be eligible to achieve UK Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance
Nice to Have (but not required):
* Linux certifications (e.g. Linux Essentials, RHCSA, similar)
* Exposure to:
* Virtualisation (VMware, KVM)
* Containers (Docker, Kubernetes)
* Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)
* Basic firewall or network troubleshooting knowledge
* Personal labs or self-learning projects
Career Progression
This is a long-term development role.
Over 3–5 years, a successful candidate can progress into a full systems / services engineer, taking ownership of:
* Engineering tasks and customer projects
* System deployments and troubleshooting
* On-call support (introduced gradually)
* Eventually leading technical workstreams
We invest heavily in training and real-world exposure — motivated individuals will be supported as they grow.