Job Description:

Infrastructure Engineer - (3rd Line Infrastructure)

Southampton City Council is recruiting a highly experienced Infrastructure Engineer to provide third line (Level 3) technical expertise across a complex, enterprise-scale infrastructure environment. This role is aimed at seasoned infrastructure engineers with strong hybrid Microsoft and data-centre experience, typically gained in large corporate or public-sector environments.

About the role

3rd Line Infrastructure Engineer supporting a hybrid Microsoft and datacentre environment. You will lead on complex incident resolution, infrastructure improvements, automation and lifecycle management across critical council services.

This is a hands-on third line role supporting systems that underpin vital council operations and frontline public services. You will be expected to troubleshoot complex cross platform issues, implement service improvements, and ensure infrastructure platforms remain secure, resilient and fully supported.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide third line (Level 3) technical support and problem resolution across infrastructure platforms.
• Support and enhance a hybrid Microsoft estate including Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID and Exchange Hybrid.
• Administer and maintain on prem Active Directory, Azure AD Connect, DNS, DHCP and Group Policy.
• Support Windows Server infrastructure (2019–2025) and Linux server estates.
• Manage and support virtualisation platforms including VMware and Hyper-V.
• Support end-user and server patching via SCCM (Microsoft Configuration Manager) and Intune.
• Monitor infrastructure and applications using SCOM and respond to alerts and performance issues.
• Support Citrix virtual application and desktop environments.
•  Support enterprise SAN storage platforms (IBM FlashSystem or equivalent).
• Support backup and recovery platforms, including restore testing and DR processes.
• Develop, maintain and run PowerShell scripts and automation, including runbooks and runbook workers.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, runbooks and standards suitable for a local government environment.
• Work with vendors, project managers and service teams to deliver infrastructure changes and improvements.

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven 3rd line infrastructure experience in an enterprise environment.
• Strong experience with Microsoft 365, Exchange Online and Exchange Hybrid.
• Hands-on experience with Azure / Entra ID and hybrid identity integration (Azure AD Connect).
• Deep understanding of on prem Active Directory and Windows Server infrastructure.
• Experience supporting Windows Server 2019–2025 and Linux servers.
• Experience administering SCCM (ConfigMgr), Intune and SCOM.
• Strong PowerShell scripting skills including automation and runbook development.
• Experience with VMware and/or Hyper-V virtualisation.
• Experience supporting SAN storage and enterprise backup platforms.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex, multisystem issues across cloud and on prem platforms.

Important – role clarity
This position is a genuine third line infrastructure role. It is not suitable for candidates whose experience is limited to first or second line support, or who have only worked in standalone Microsoft 365 environments without on prem or hybrid infrastructure exposure.

Please note that all interviews for this role will be conducted face to face at the Civic Centre, Southampton.

Why work for Southampton City Council?
You will work on systems that directly support residents and frontline council services, within a stable and collaborative public-sector environment. We offer meaningful technical challenges, long-term platform ownership, and a strong focus on security, resilience and service improvement.

We support flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enabling employees to balance working from home with regular attendance in the workplace, subject to service requirements.

We are committed to helping you grow and succeed through a wide range of learning, development, coaching and mentoring opportunities.

Your application or CV should clearly demonstrate recent hands-on experience with the technologies listed above and include examples of complex technical issues you have resolved.

What we can offer you:

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit:  Employee benefits ((url removed))