Job Description:

Systems Engineer - Secure Digital Platform (SDP) Data & Integration

📍 Reading (Hybrid - 3 days per week onsite)
💰 £60.00 - £66.96 per hour (Inside IR35)
📅 12-Month Contract
🔒 Active SC Clearance Required
🇬🇧 Sole UK Nationals Only

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join a high-profile Secure Digital Platform (SDP) programme supporting critical UK Defence and Aerospace projects. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a secure environment, delivering and supporting modern enterprise infrastructure across cloud and on-premise platforms.

Essential Requirements

• Active SC Clearance (must already hold current clearance).
• Sole UK National due to project security requirements.
• Previous experience within UK Defence, MOD, Defence Digital or Aerospace environments.
• Ability to work 3 days per week onsite in Reading.

The Role

Working within the Infrastructure & Platform Services team, you will help support, maintain and enhance enterprise infrastructure, cloud services and platform technologies. You'll contribute to secure, reliable and resilient services across Microsoft Azure and on-premise environments while supporting automation and modern infrastructure initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and administer cloud and on-premises infrastructure.
• Maintain Windows Server and Linux environments.
• Deploy, configure and support Microsoft Azure services.
• Support virtualisation platforms including VMware and Hyper-V.
• Assist with Kubernetes and OpenShift platform administration.
• Monitor infrastructure performance, availability and capacity.
• Support incident, problem and change management activities.
• Assist with backup, disaster recovery and business continuity processes.
• Contribute to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation initiatives.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation.
• Work closely with senior engineers to improve platform reliability and operational performance.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience supporting Windows Server and/or Linux environments.
• Understanding of Microsoft Azure services and cloud technologies.
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs and firewalls.
• Experience with virtualisation technologies such as VMware or Hyper-V.
• Familiarity with infrastructure monitoring and operational support.
• Understanding of security principles and access management.
• Knowledge of backup, recovery and disaster recovery concepts.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work within a collaborative engineering team.

Desirable Skills

• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) and/or Azure Administrator (AZ-104).
• Experience with Kubernetes, OpenShift and Docker.
• Exposure to Terraform, Ansible or other Infrastructure as Code tools.
• Scripting skills in PowerShell, Bash or Python.
• Experience with Grafana, Prometheus or Azure Monitor.
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and hybrid cloud environments.
• ITIL Foundation certification.

What's on Offer?

• 12-month contract
• £60.00 - £66.96 per hour (Inside IR35)
• Hybrid working with 3 days onsite in Reading
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge secure digital platforms supporting critical UK Defence programmes
• Collaborative technical environment with modern cloud and infrastructure technologies

If you hold active SC Clearance, are a sole UK national, and have experience within Defence or Aerospace, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to discuss this opportunity in confidence.