DevOps Engineer (National Security Solution Provider)

SFIA 3 to 5

Locations: South West and North West NS hubs

Hybrid with 3 days a week high-side access

£60,000 to £90,000 base (depending on experience)

Most DevOps roles in National Security feel the same. Same mission, same tools, same culture.

This one is different.

This team has a reputation for actually looking after its people. Engineers rotate across programmes so they get broader exposure instead of being left to fossilise on a single project for years. There’s cross-pollination with other disciplines, a social scene that people genuinely enjoy, and a culture that feels a lot more supportive than the red tape you get in larger primes.

They’re scaling again thanks to organic growth with a major west-based client and backing from their parent company. It’s the kind of place cleared engineers move to when they want progression, variety and a healthier day-to-day environment.

If you’re already operating in the NS world and you’re wondering if there’s a better option out there, this is probably the one you were hoping existed.

What you’ll be doing

(From the official spec)

• Providing technical leadership and acting as the strategic link between engineering teams and customers
• Ensuring the operational integrity of mission-critical services in high-side environments
• Deploying and supporting containerised services (Kubernetes, Helm, Docker)
• Managing pipelines with Jenkins or GitLab
• Working with IaC tools like Ansible or Terraform
• Contributing code using languages such as Python or Java (Go or Rust if you’re so inclined)
• Handling incident and problem management for operational systems
• Setting best practice for the DevOps function while staying hands-on
• Taking responsibility for catching issues early and safeguarding availability

This is not a passive DevOps role. You’ll be leading, influencing, and getting close to the important stuff. The work directly impacts national security outcomes.

Why people join this team

(From feedback of the Engineers we've placed into this client's NS Division)

• A culture that supports people rather than burning them out
• Rotation across programmes to keep skills broad and careers moving
• A genuinely progressive environment that doesn’t feel like the usual NS bureaucracy
• Backing from a strong parent company, making growth stable and predictable
• Modern engineering practices, not legacy firefighting
• Real progression, real investment, real impact

This is right for:

Engineers who are:

• Already cleared to operate in NS environments
• Based near SouthWest or NorthWest high-side hubs
• Feeling undervalued or culturally stuck in their current NS consultancy
• Wanting broader engineering exposure and a better team environment
• Looking for progression without moving into soulless management
• Keen to work across DevOps, software and cloud rather than a narrow infra remit

Non-negotiables

• Must meet the criteria for the highest level of UK vetting
• Must be a sole UK national
• Must be able to work high-side on a hybrid basis (3 days per week)

Not quite right for:

• Deep but narrow infra-only backgrounds
• Tech purists who can’t adapt outside their comfort zone
• Engineers who want isolation rather than collaboration
• Rigid personalities unable to work across multiple teams and disciplines

Inclusion

If you don’t tick every single requirement, you’re still encouraged to apply. Candidates from underrepresented groups often self-exclude even when they’re highly capable. If you have secure-sector experience and a strong DevOps skillset, you’ll be considered.

Adjustments can be made throughout the hiring process if needed.

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