Technology.

Chief Technology Officer Location: Hybrid working, IrelandSector: B2B SaaS, AI-enabled platforms An established and growing B2B SaaS business is seeking a Chief Technology Officer to join its executive leadership team at a pivotal stage of scale. The company operates a cloud-based platform used by enterprise customers globally and is entering a new phase of growth following recent external investment.This is a senior leadership role with full ownership of technology strategy, engineering execution and AI innovation. You will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership to ensure technology is a core driver of commercial success, product differentiation and long-term scalability. The roleAs CTO, you will be responsible for setting and executing the company’s technology and AI vision, while leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across platform, product and applied AI. You will balance strategic planning with hands-on leadership, ensuring delivery excellence, strong engineering culture and robust operational foundations. Key responsibilitiesTechnology and business strategy Define and own the long-term technology and architecture roadmap aligned to company growth objectivesTranslate commercial and product goals into clear, executable engineering and AI strategiesLead architectural decision-making across cloud, data and AI systems  AI and innovation Develop and deliver a practical AI strategy embedded into the product roadmapIdentify and assess emerging technologies with clear customer and business impactOversee experimentation, prototyping and the transition of successful initiatives into production  Engineering leadership Lead, scale and mentor high-performing engineering and AI teamsBuild a strong engineering culture focused on quality, ownership and continuous improvementAttract, retain and develop senior technical talent with clear progression pathways  Delivery and operations Ensure reliable, secure and scalable platforms that support enterprise customersOversee infrastructure, performance, availability and operational resilienceOwn technology budgeting, investment planning and vendor relationships  Security, compliance and governance Embed security and privacy by design across all systems and development practicesEnsure compliance with relevant standards and regulatory frameworksEstablish strong governance around data usage, AI ethics and model management  Stakeholder engagement Partner closely with Product, Customer and Commercial leadersCommunicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholdersProvide trusted technical leadership at board and executive level  Experience and backgroundEssential Extensive experience in software engineering, with several years in senior leadership rolesProven track record scaling engineering teams within a SaaS or product-led environmentPrior experience as a CTO, VP of Engineering or equivalent senior roleHands-on experience delivering AI-enabled features into productionStrong knowledge of modern cloud architectures and distributed systems  Desirable technical expertise Applied experience with machine learning, NLP and large language modelsExposure to generative AI, vector databases and retrieval-based systemsFamiliarity with MLOps, model deployment and monitoringExperience with AWS and containerised environments  Leadership attributes Strategic, commercially aware and outcomes-focusedConfident communicator with strong stakeholder management skillsComfortable leading change in fast-moving, scaling environmentsCurious, pragmatic and customer-centric in approach Package and benefits Competitive executive-level salary and performance bonusParticipation in an equity or long-term incentive schemePension contribution and enhanced family leave policiesHybrid working model with modern office spaceGenerous annual leave allowance and wellbeing benefits If you are a senior technology leader motivated by scale, AI innovation and building durable platforms with real-world impact, this role offers the opportunity to shape both technology and business outcomes at executive level. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

IT Automation Engineer (Automation / No-Code)Contract: Inside IR35Length: 3 months initiallyEnvironment: SaaS businessThe roleYou'll join a SaaS business as an all-round IT Support Engineer with a heavy focus on automation. Your job is to remove manual effort from the helpdesk by building no-code workflows and using AI as much as possible. The goal is simple: fewer tickets, faster outcomes, and systems that largely run themselves.This is a role where more automation is always the right answer.What you'll be doing:You'll design and build no-code / low-code automation workflows using tools like Workato, n8n or ZapierYou'll automate joiners, movers and leavers, with onboarding and offboarding as key use casesYou'll integrate workflows across the SaaS stack to eliminate repetitive, manual support tasksYou'll actively use AI to improve ticket triage, responses, routing, documentation and overall support efficiencyYou'll automate and support identity and access management, ensuring access is provisioned and removed cleanly and securelyYou'll focus on fixing root causes through automation rather than repeatedly resolving the same tickets Tech & tools you'll work withYou'll be comfortable working across most of the following:Automation / no-code: Workato, n8n, Zapier (or similar)Identity & access: Okta, IAM concepts, access models and security principlesGoogle Workspace: Google Admin and GAM (Google Apps Manager)SaaS tooling & integrations:Atlassian (Jira, Confluence)ZoomGoogle Meet / HangoutsSlack and similar collaboration toolsUnderstanding of AI models and how they're applied in real-world workflowsUsing AI practically within IT support and automation, not just conceptually What you'll bringYou've worked in IT support within a SaaS environmentYou've actively automated helpdesk workflows, not just supported themYou think in triggers, workflows and integrations rather than manual processesYou understand IAM, access controls and security fundamentalsYou're confident integrating multiple platforms and tools togetherYou're hands-on, pragmatic, and biased towards automation over manual intervention If this sounds like one you'd be interested in, please hit apply. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm looking for a cloud automation engineer to join a scaling SaaS business in Manchester for the next 3 months, inside IR35. The role can be remote (UK) but some ability to get to the office infrequently would be beneficial, as the role is working with a small support team who are automating workflows across the business and in their SaaS Stack. I'm looking for someone with solid technical expertise in engineering, administering, and automating cloud-based and physical IT infrastructure. This will be tooling like: Okta, Google Workspace, Atlassian Suite, Zoom, Slack, Jamf (macOS/iOS), and Intune (Windows/Android)You'll have experience identifying and removing technical friction by automating solutions, and have strong experience with no-code automations toos like Zapier or Workato, and have done a bit of scripting with Python or similar. The role needs someone with strong leadership abolities, being the technical authority at times.you'll need to understand user lifecycle processes, and have experience automating those types of workflows. Some incident management experience would also be beneficial as would a focus on root cause analysis. Really, the contract is cloud based, SaaS stack, Apple products and ABM, Okta for IDM, Jamf & Intune for MDM. I'm looking for someone with proven ability to code and use tooling to integrate these systems for optimal automation and streamlining. If this sounds like it would fit your experience please hit apply!As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Cyber Security Consultants Salary: £65,000 - £90,000 (DOE)Location: Cheltenham, Gloucester (Hybrid Working)Clearance Required: SC cleared and willing to go through eDV clearanceJoin a Leading Consultancy Driving National Security InnovationFR Secure is partnering with a rapidly expanding consultancy that delivers cutting-edge cyber and information assurance solutions for high-security government and industry clients. We're looking for multiple Cyber Security & Information Assurance Consultants at junior to senior levels to support long-term, mission-critical programmes in the National Security sector.Your RoleAs a Cyber Security & Information Assurance Consultant, you will: Deliver expert security advice for BAU, technical refresh, and new project initiatives.Implement and improve governance models aligned with client business needs.Identify cyber risks and propose risk-based mitigation strategies.Conduct compliance assessments across systems and processes to evaluate cyber and information assurance posture.Develop, refine, or review security policies and procedures to align with corporate and regulatory standards.Build strong relationships with clients and internal teams to enhance the value of Cyber Security & Information Assurance services delivered. What You BringWe're looking for people who can make a real impact. You should have: Proven experience in Cyber Security & Information Assurance within Defence or UK Government environments.Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and secure-by-design principles.Familiarity with government and defence security standards such as: HMG/NCSC IA Policies and GuidelinesJSP440 and other MoD IA standardsCyber EssentialsNIST, NIS-DISO  - lead auditor/lead implementor cert preferred Excellent stakeholder communication skills - you can clearly explain complex security concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Security ClearanceDue to the highly sensitive nature of the work, all applicants must either currently hold valid eDV clearance or be willing to go through the process.Ready to advance your career in national security?  As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm looking for a Infrastructure support engineer to join a SaaS business in Manchester for the next 3 months. The role requires 2-3 days a week on site and is inside IR35.You will be responsible for driving end-to-end IT systems automation and acting as the final technical authority for complex issues across core infrastructure and business-critical processes. Your focus will be on eliminating manual effort through no-code automation and scripting, with particular ownership of user lifecycle management and wider systems optimisation.You’ll work closely with teams such as People & Culture and Security to streamline workflows, remove friction, and deliver faster, more reliable processes. You’ll proactively analyse support trends, engineer automated solutions to prevent recurring issues, and ensure hardware and SaaS environments remain fully compliant. You’ll also take ownership of technical delivery for high-profile internal events and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base documenting systems and automation workflows.With deep expertise across cloud and physical infrastructure—including identity platforms, collaboration suites, device management, and automation tooling—you’ll provide technical leadership, mentorship, and strong incident-management capability. You’ll manage vendors, lead technical projects from conception through to completion, and consistently deliver scalable, engineered improvements to the organisation’s IT ecosystem. Experience required:Engineering and automating cloud/on-prem infrastructure (Okta, Google Workspace, Atlassian, Zoom, Slack, Jamf, Intune).Removing technical friction through engineered automation and scalable fixes.Building workflows with no-code tools (N8n, Zapier, Workato) and scripting (Python, GAM).Automating user lifecycle and managing compliance processes.Overseeing vendors and resolving complex technical issues.Leading incident management with strong root-cause focus.Delivering technical projects end-to-end.Holding relevant cloud, identity, or SaaS certifications. If you'd be interested in this role, please hit apply.As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Machine Learning Engineer (National Security) SFIA 3 to 5 Location: Available at Multiple Sites across South West, North West or Greater LondonHybrid with 3 days a week high-side access£80,000 to £130,000 base (depending on experience)Most ML roles talk a big game about being “cutting edge.” Then you dig deeper and realise it’s mostly proof-of-concept work, internal dashboards, or commercial problems dressed up as innovation.This role is actually different.You’ll be joining a modern, R&D-friendly environment known for looking after its people.Engineers rotate across projects so they never stagnate. The culture is younger, supportive and progression-led.If you’re already cleared to operate at the highest levels of UK National Security and want your AI/ML work to matter, this is where the interesting problems live. What you’ll be doing Distilled from the official spec :• Designing, developing and deploying ML models for real National Security use cases• Using LLMs to build agents, improve retrieval and enhance user interaction • Running research sprints, reading papers and prototyping new algorithms • Applying MLOps best practice to build scalable, secure, maintainable pipelines • Translating stakeholder problems into workable AI solutionsThis sits cleanly between ML engineering, MLOps and applied research. Not academic-only. What you’ll bring You don’t need everything below — but you should recognise a good chunk of it:• Strong Python engineering skills • Hands-on model development with PyTorch, TensorFlow or scikit-learn • Experience working with LLMs, prompt engineering, RAG, fine-tuning or LangChain/LangGraph • MLOps experience with MLflow, DVC or Weights & Biases • Experience deploying ML solutions on AWS • Containerisation experience (Docker) • Ability to read research papers and turn them into working prototypes • Strong grounding in evaluation, monitoring and retraining • Clear communication and comfort engaging with non-technical stakeholders Why people join this team Consistent themes across engineering disciplines:• A younger, modern culture compared with typical Defence suppliers • Real R&D autonomy and space to experiment • Rotation across programmes to keep skills broad• Stable long-term work backed by a major parent company• A healthy approach to hybrid high-side workingThis is the closest you get to R&D freedom inside a structured Defence environment.   Non-negotiables • Must meet the criteria for the highest level of UK security vetting within National Security (if you know, you know...) • Must be a sole UK national • Must be willing to work high-side when required (typically hybrid basis) This isn't right for... • Poor communicators • People who avoid stakeholder interaction• Pure research backgrounds with no engineering delivery Inclusion If you don’t tick every single requirement, you’re still encouraged to apply.People from underrepresented groups often opt out even when they are fully capable.If you’re already cleared for high-side work and have strong ML or MLOps foundations, you’ll be taken seriously. Adjustments can be made throughout the hiring process.As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Data Architect (MoD DV) SFIA 5 - 6 P(rincipal to Architect)Multiple UK locations (with regular London visits) £80,000 to £120,000 base (depending on experience)Most “Data Architect” roles in Defence claim to be strategic. Then you show up and discover you’re really a glorified data steward, updating documentation no one reads, bolting frameworks onto legacy systems no one intends to fix.This role is genuinely architectural.You’ll be working in a younger, modern, progression-driven environment that treats data architecture as an actual discipline, not a ceremonial function. Engineers rotate across programmes to broaden skills, leadership invests heavily in talent development, and the culture is far healthier than the traditional Defence suppliers that talk about innovation but never actually do it.We've had strong feedback from placed candidates into Architect-level and Transformation-level with this client - "good people, good environment, and a business that actually promotes you when you’re ready instead of when someone finally leaves"They’re scaling again across  a MoD programme and now they need a Data Architect who can shape how data flows, how platforms evolve, and how their client makes decisions. What you’ll be doing • Acting as the Data Architecture SME, influencing strategy and guiding major decisions• Assessing existing data ecosystems, identifying gaps, risks and opportunities • Designing and maintaining data models, standards and enterprise frameworks• Working across engineering, analytics and business stakeholder groups to ensure performance, security and compliance • Establishing data architecture principles, policies and governance standards • Documenting architecture artefacts in the enterprise repository • Shaping future tech decisions in areas like AI, ML, automation and analytics • Supporting delivery teams and mentoring more junior engineersThis is hands-on architecture with influence, not paperwork. You will actually shape how secure Defence data platforms evolve. What you’ll bring • Proven experience as a Data Architect in Defence or National Security • Strong grounding in data management, governance, modelling and interoperability • Experience with relational, NoSQL and cloud-based data solutions • Knowledge of modern architectures, big data technologies and distributed systems • Familiarity with AWS, Azure or GCP • Strong communication and influencing ability• Awareness of AI/ML data requirements and cross-domain data handling • Ability to work autonomously across high-side programmesTechnical experience across scripting, modern tooling and integration patterns is a bonus. Why people join this team Placed engineers have consistently fed back:• A younger, modern consultancy culture • Progression pathways that actually move • Leadership that backs you and treats you like an adult• Investment in learning, certifications and career direction • High-side work that is genuinely meaningful • Long-term Defence programmes with stability and variety   Non-negotiables • Active MoD DV clearance• Must be able to travel to London regularly • Must bring credible data architecture experience This won't be right for... • “Architects” with no delivery or modelling experience• Individuals who struggle to communicate with non-technical stakeholders • Those who resist modernisation or cross-domain collaboration Inclusion Even if you don’t meet every requirement, you’re encouraged to apply. People from underrepresented groups often self-exclude unnecessarily.If you have DV clearance and strong architectural foundations, you’ll be considered. Adjustments are available throughout the process.As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Data Engineer (MoD DV Cleared) SFIA 3 to 5 (Mid-to-Senior to Senior/Principal)Flexible on Location (Regular trips to London)£60,000 to £90,000 depending on experienceMost Defence data roles will tell you they’re “fast-paced,” “mission-focused” and “cutting-edge.”But then you walk through the door and it feels like 1998, complete with outdated tooling and a culture that hasn’t moved on since the early internet.This team is the opposite of that.You’d be joining a younger, modern, people-first environment that actually invests in developing its engineers. Promotion isn’t something you wait years for; it’s something the business genuinely pushes you toward.They actively track progression, support certifications and training, and create opportunities for their engineers to take ownership instead of being hidden behind layers of hierarchy.Combine that with long-term Defence work and a roadmap full of high-priority projects, and you get somewhere DV-cleared Data Engineers actually enjoy working. What you’ll be doing From the official spec (interpreted for a more human read):• Designing and building ETL frameworks that ingest, transform and validate large datasets • Profiling data, validating requirements and ensuring accuracy across complex sources • Creating data models and managing storage solutions (S3, Blob, BigQuery, Snowflake) • Improving governance, interoperability and data standards across programmes • Developing anonymisation, synthesis and security controls for sensitive datasets • Monitoring and tuning workflows for performance, efficiency and reliability • Supporting analytics teams by shaping the data backbone they rely on • Researching emerging tech, evaluating new tools and contributing to engineering strategyThis is proper data engineering. Not BI cleanup. Not dashboard assembly. Real pipelines, real modelling and real ownership inside a high-side environment. What you’ll bring • Proven data engineering experience in complex, multi-source environments • Proficiency in SQL and Python • Experience with ETL tools and distributed frameworks (Airflow, Spark) • Practical cloud experience (AWS, Azure or GCP) • Solid grounding in data modelling, integration and governance • Awareness of AI/ML data requirements and secure-domain constraints • Strong problem-solving and the ability to work autonomouslyYou don’t need experience with every tool. You do need to think clearly, build well and operate confidently in sensitive domains. Why people join this team Feedback from Engineers that have already joined this team:• The culture is young, modern and progression-focused• Talent development and upskilling are treated as part of the job, not an afterthought • Leadership is approachable, human and not ego-driven • There’s long-term Defence work secured, giving engineers both stability and varietyIt feels like the best parts of a consultancy without the stereotypical churn and burn. Who is this right for... • Data Engineers with ACTIVE DV clearance • People frustrated with stagnant career paths in other Defence suppliers• Those who can visit London semi-regularly and work high-side when required   ...and not right for • Pure analysts with minimal engineering delivery • People who want narrow, repetitive work • Engineers who avoid ownership or stakeholder engagement Inclusion If you don’t meet every requirement, you’re encouraged to apply. People from underrepresented groups often self-select out even when they’re highly capable. If you have DV clearance and strong data engineering foundations, you’ll be considered. Adjustments can be made throughout the hiring process.   As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Data Engineer (National Security Solution Provider) SFIA 3 to 5 (Mid to Senior/Prinicpal level) Locations: Hampshire or Surrey Hybrid with 3 days a week high-side £65,000 to £95,000 base (depending on experience) If you’ve spent any time working high-side, you’ll know most data engineering roles in National Security look identical on the surface. Same tools. Same mission. Same cultural wallpaper. This one is different. This organisation has become known for treating people well and rotating engineers across projects to keep skillsets fresh rather than letting them stagnate on the same legacy workload. The culture is healthy, supportive and collaborative, and the technical problem-space is modern. Great leadership, strong engineering standards, and a genuinely progressive environment compared to the usual NS suppliers. They’re scaling again thanks to long-term work secured with the "West" client and renewed support from their parent company. They want Data Engineers who can operate confidently in high-side environments and build the data services that genuinely enable mission outcomes. What you’ll be doing (From the official spec) • Designing and developing data pipelines, ingestion workflows and orchestration tooling• Working with diverse data sources: batch, streaming, real-time and unstructured• Modelling and designing schemas for both relational and NoSQL data stores• Integrating and enriching data from multiple sources while maintaining consistency and quality• Building and coding ETL processes (including NiFi)• Maintaining and enhancing data ingest components and data stores• Investigating data issues and supporting operational systems• Writing clean, secure, test-driven code that is reusable and open by default• Supporting the team in decomposing user requests into meaningful epics and stories• Implementing security best practice for sensitive data• Monitoring and tuning data systems for performance and reliability This is hands-on, meaningful work where the quality of the data systems you build has a direct impact on mission capabilities. What you’ll bring This organisation looks for engineers with a mix of analytical skill, curiosity and delivery strength. • Experience with ETL processing (Python, NiFi, similar)• Experience with distributed compute frameworks (Spark, Kafka)• Experience with relational databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL• Experience with NoSQL technologies like MongoDB or Cassandra• Knowledge of AWS and its data services• Exposure to platforms like Palantir Foundry• Experience operating in secure environments is highly valued You don’t need to tick every box. What matters is that you can think clearly, write good code, collaborate with others and understand the difference between what a user wants and what a user actually needs. Why people join this team (Feedback from Engineers that we've already placed into this client's NS Division) • Supportive and healthy culture• Rotation across programmes to keep skills sharp• Better than the bureaucracy found in many traditional primes• Modern data engineering challenges, not stale enterprise reporting• Stable growth backed by long-term frameworks• Real progression opportunities and meaningful mission impact• High-trust working environment with flexibility built in This is right for... • Cleared Data Engineers already operating in National Security• Based near Hampshire or Surrey and able to work high-side 3 days a week• Looking for progression, exposure and a better environment• Tired of rigid culture and slow career movement in other NS suppliers• Interested in operating across ingestion, transformation, architecture and operational support 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 in Hampshire or Surrey 3 days per week• Must have a strong data engineering background with real delivery evidence Not quite right for... • Pure analysts with no engineering delivery• Engineers who want narrow data silo work only• People without secure-sector experience• Those who avoid collaboration or cross-discipline working Inclusion Even if you don’t meet every bullet point, you’re encouraged to apply. People from underrepresented backgrounds often self-exclude when they’re more than capable. If you have NS experience and the core data engineering capabilities, you’ll be considered. Adjustments are available throughout the hiring process if needed. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

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. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Cloud Architect (National Security) Multiple locations across South West and North WestHybrid with high-side work required approx 3 days a week£80,000 - £120,000 depending on experience Most cloud architecture roles in National Security claim to offer variety. This one actually does. This team rotates engineers across projects so people don’t get stale. Skills stay sharp. Workloads stay interesting. The culture is far more inclusive and supportive than you normally find in this part of the market. The feedback from engineers we’ve placed there has been consistently strong. Good leadership. Collaborative delivery. People who actually enjoy spending time together outside work. They are scaling organically after major backing from their parent organisation, with a lot of new work coming online from the 'West' Client. They want a Cloud Architect who can bring experience, calm confidence and real architectural thinking into high-side environments. If you’re already operating in National Security and want somewhere with better culture, better people and broader technical exposure, keep reading... What you’ll be doing From the official spec : • Developing and maintaining cloud architecture strategy, standards and best practices• Designing secure, scalable, highly available cloud solutions (primarily AWS)• Leading infrastructure build, deployment automation and cloud migration work• Implementing governance: IAM, security controls, compliance frameworks, cost management• Monitoring and optimising cloud performance and reliability• Identifying opportunities for automation and improvement• Providing architectural guidance to engineering, ops and development teams• Acting as a subject matter expert in cloud technologies within the organisation This is hands-on architecture. The kind where you influence the strategy but still feel connected to real engineering work and real mission outcomes. What you’ll bring Directly from the spec, and lifted from conversations with engineers doing this job today: • Strong experience delivering cloud-based programmes in Public Sector, Defence or National Security • Deep grounding in AWS (EC2, VPC, S3, Lambda, IAM, RDS)• Experience designing secure architectures and performing risk analysis• Knowledge of containerisation and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)• Solid grasp of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, load balancing, DNS, VPNs, firewalls)• Experience with IaC (Terraform, CloudFormation)• Familiarity with CI/CD tooling and DevOps practices• Scripting experience (Python, Bash or PowerShell) Being detail-oriented and comfortable absorbing large quantities of information is important. So is spotting risk early and explaining it to people who aren’t technical. Why people join this team Based on conversations with placed candidates and your briefing: • You’re not stuck on the same project for years. Rotation keeps your skills broad.• Supportive team culture and actual work-life balance.• Real social scene if you want it.• Strong leadership but no ego.• Backed by a major parent company with significant investment.• Lots of secure-side work already flowing, especially awith the 'West' Client.• Clear progression path with investment in development and career direction.• A better environment than most large NS suppliers, without the bureaucracy. Who is this role for? Engineers already cleared to operate in National Security who: • Want variety instead of stagnation• Want a healthier culture and credible progression• Are based near high-side hubs in South West or North West• Want architecture responsibility without losing technical depth Non-negotiables • Must meet the criteria required to operate at the highest level of UK vetting• Must be a sole UK national• Must be willing to work high-side on a hybrid basis   Inclusion Even if you don’t meet every bullet point, you’re encouraged to apply. People from underrepresented groups often opt out unless they hit every requirement. If you have secure-sector experience and strong cloud engineering or architecture skills, you’ll be considered. Adjustments can be made throughout the hiring process on request. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Backend Software EngineerLocation: Hampshire (Hybrid)Clearance: eDV Security ClearanceSalary: £55,000 - £85,000 + DV Bonus + BenefitsThe RoleJoin a specialist engineering team delivering mission-critical software for UK National Security. You'll develop backend solutions that protect people, platforms and information from evolving threats, using modern technologies in a highly secure environment.What You'll Do Develop clean, secure and scalable backend softwareBuild, test and maintain software across the lifecycleContribute to code reviews and documentationTranslate technical designs into working featuresWork with both established and emerging technologies Essential Skills PythonLinuxBashGitDocker  Desirable Skills Apache Pulsar / KafkaAgile/ScrumAtlassian / GitLabCI/CD pipelines Why Apply?Work on impactful national-level projects, collaborate with leading engineers, and grow your expertise in one of the UK's most advanced security environments. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

DevOps Engineer (National Security) SFIA 4 (mid to senior) Locations: South West hubs (Cheltenham / Bristol) or Manchester Hybrid working with visits to High-side approx 3 days a week £60,000 to £90,000If you’ve worked in National Security for any length of time, you already know the difference between a consultancy that genuinely empowers engineers and one that treats them like ticket-closers. This team sits firmly in the first category.They are a younger, more energetic outfit with a reputation for treating people like adults. The interview process is quick. The L&D is serious. The culture is better than what you’ll find at many of the primes.Right now, they are growing a high-performing engineering unit inside a major secure programme.They want a DevOps Engineer who can operate confidently on the high side, contribute to a real product build, and help shape the future of a quietly successful division.What you’ll be doing You’ll join an Agile engineering team building a bespoke software solution for a National Security customer. Your day to day will cover:• Designing, implementing and maintaining cloud infrastructure across AWS, Azure and private cloud environments • Deploying, scaling and managing Kubernetes clusters • Building automation for deployments, monitoring and testing • Improving infrastructure performance, resilience and cost efficiency • Troubleshooting infrastructure and application issues • Working closely with systems engineers and customer stakeholders • Mentoring junior engineers and setting strong technical standards • Contributing to a genuinely collaborative delivery culture instead of a process-driven oneThis is hands-on engineering, not PowerPoint engineering.The tech you’ll touch (This comes directly from the official spec )Kubernetes Docker Helm Terraform GitLab / Jenkins Packer Vault Serverless Elastic Stack Prometheus Grafana Nexus / Artifactory AWS and Azure cloud services Who this would suit • DevOps Engineers already delivering in National Security • Engineers based near South West NS hubs, or willing to commute to high-side sites • People who enjoy working in smaller, high-impact teams • Those who like real engineering problems, not service desk–adjacent tasks • Engineers who want genuine progression and access to structured L&DWhat “good” looks like • Clear communicator • Comfortable working with cross-functional delivery teams • Able to run with ownership rather than waiting for instruction • Practical problem solver, not a theoretical purist • Values collaboration over hierarchyNon-negotiables • Must already hold the level of clearance required to work on UK high-side systems • Sole UK nationals only • Able to work on site in secure locations on a regular hybrid pattern • Strong DevOps or platform engineering experience with real delivery outcomesWhy people join • Fast and respectful interview process • Genuine progression and investment in your development • Access to multiple high-side locations, making commutes easier • A culture that feels more supportive and less bureaucratic than many NS consultancies • Real autonomy and the chance to contribute to a growing division rather than a legacy structureInclusion If you don’t meet every single requirement, that is fine. Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often self-select out. If you have secure-sector experience and the core DevOps skills, you are encouraged to apply. Adjustments can be made throughout the interview process on request.As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Solution ArchitectLocation: London or Milton KeynesSalary: £90,000 - £115,000 + excellent benefitsClearance: Active UKIC eDV requiredAre you driven by meaningful work and looking to make a real impact? We're seeking an experienced Solution Architect to help shape innovative, secure digital services that support the UK's national security mission.Our client delivers high-performance technology solutions for the UK Public Sector, using modern open-source tooling and operating within Agile and DevOps environments. This role is ideal for someone passionate about designing robust, scalable architectures and influencing digital transformation at scale.Role tasksYou'll take a leading role in designing end-to-end solutions and guiding teams through architectural best practice. Key responsibilities include: Engaging with senior stakeholders to identify opportunities for transformation and contribute to strategic technology decisionsDeveloping strong customer relationships and spotting new areas where the business can add valueSupporting multiple delivery teams and championing emerging technologies and best-practice approachesMentoring and inspiring fellow architects, helping them align with organisational goalsOwning architectural governance, resolving complex technical challenges and shaping secure, high-quality solutionsCollaborating across a variety of projects and customer environmentsPresenting solution options clearly to technical and non-technical audiencesWorking closely with internal teams to share knowledge, improve processes, and drive continuous improvement Required exposureYou'll have significant hands-on experience across several of the following areas: End-to-end technical and solution architecture designModern open-source technologiesCloud platforms (AWS preferred)Security principles and best practiceIAM, OAuth, Cognito, OIDC (highly beneficial)Containerisation and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)DevOps / DevSecOps tooling and methodologiesProficiency in multiple programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, and Python As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Digital Project Executive/ Junior Digital PM | Manchester city centre (1 Day/Week) | £28K FTC *This is a 12-month fixed term contract, £28,000 per annum* Great opportunity for a junior PM or recent graduate looking to get stuck into a proper data transformation project with a household name brand. What's Going On Our client is in the middle of consolidating all their customer data into one platform, you’ll work as part of a big migration project working with external suppliers. They need someone to support the Project Lead day-to-day and make sure everything runs smoothly through to handover. It's a proper hands-on role. You'll be the one keeping tabs on suppliers, chasing up stakeholders, sorting out blockers, and making sure all the project documentation is actually up to date (risk logs, decision logs, migration plans - the works). Day to Day You'll be reporting directly to the Project Lead and helping them keep the whole thing on track: Managing the external supplier, making sure they're delivering what they said they would, when they said they would Coordinating with internal teams and other suppliers to unblock issues Running and attending workshops Keeping all the project docs current and accurate Tracking milestone payments Getting involved in the handover planning: test strategies, training materials, BAU transition Basically, being proactive and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. What They're After You'll either have a couple of years doing project support/coordination, or you're a recent grad with some data or digital experience. You will communicate well, be organised and you'll fit in with the team. Nice to have experience with data platforms or customer insight tools, but not essential. What’s in it for you? Based in central Manchester but only in the office once a week £28K + benefits including free transport 12-month fixed term to cover the project implementation Other benefits include wellbeing support, retail/ lifestyle discounts, generous annual leave If you're looking for something where you'll actually learn a lot and get real responsibility (not just sitting in meetings taking notes), this could be the role for you. APPLY now, interviews are taking place this week… Digital Project Executive/ Junior Digital PM | Manchester city centre (1 Day/Week) | £28K FTC As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Senior DevOps Engineer Dublin, hybridSalary flexible depending on experience  About the RoleThe company is seeking a Senior DevOps Engineer to take ownership of cloud infrastructure, reliability, and deployment platforms. This role will be responsible for designing and running the AWS + Kubernetes foundation, building robust CI/CD pipelines, and ensuring services are observable, secure, and cost-efficient. The successful candidate will be joining a small, agile team where autonomy, ownership, and collaboration are essential. Key Responsibilities Build and optimise CI/CD pipelines to streamline deployments ⚡Manage and scale containerised applications with Kubernetes ☸️Oversee AWS infrastructure and services (EC2, EKS, S3, RDS etc.) ☁️Ensure services are reliable, secure, and performant Collaborate with engineers on product features and infrastructure ️Develop and maintain Python-based backend services and APIs Enable easy monitoring of services ✅ Requirements 5+ years in DevOps, Platform, or SRE roles with strong Kubernetes and AWS experienceProficiency with Terraform and Infrastructure as Code best practicesStrong CI/CD experience (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, CircleCI etc.) and GitOps workflowsConfident troubleshooting Python REST services in productionComfortable working in a small, fast-paced team with high ownershipMust hold a valid visa to work in Ireland (no sponsorship available) As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Senior Machine Learning Engineer Role: Senior ML EngineerLocation: Dublin (hybrid working)Salary: flexible depending on experience + great benefitsAll applicants must be based in Ireland, with a valid work permit. Opportunity to join a fantastic Dublin-based AI start-up. Where the people make the product and the founders ethos is that happy employees make for happy customers.Want autonomy? Strategic product input? Want to see your works direct success impact? Be seen and heard, not counted as a number?This could be the opportunity for you! Delivering new-age solutions, integrated with the latest LLMs and ML tools, seen as the go to B2B SaaS solution in their respective markets, for household names in the tech market and beyond...What we need from you: Keen technologist, love keeping up to date with latest tech, tools, and trendsHumble, open mind to learning and collaborative working, happy to knowledge share and develop othersTeam player, happy to join in with office socials, dinners/drinks after work, team events, company daysPassion and enthusiasm, you'll be working alongside great people with a fantastic team ethos, sharing vision for the products and the business goals is important.Management, the ability to coach and develop other team members, as well as ensuring technical understanding for key stakeholders across the business, whilst engaging regularly with the Leadership team. Skills and experience: Delivered full lifecycle machine learning solutions, from data ingestion to model deployment, using Python and leading ML frameworks.Hands-on experience building and optimising models with TensorFlow, PyTorch, and/or related libraries.Developed scalable data pipelines and preprocessing workflows to support ML applications.Proficient in core data engineering practices, including data wrangling, transformation, and storage optimisation.Applied MLOps best practices for model versioning, reproducibility, and continuous deployment.Skilled in containerisation and orchestration using Docker and Kubernetes to manage ML workloads.Leveraged MLflow and/or similar tools for experiment tracking, model registry, and deployment automation.Strong advocate of cross-functional collaboration in Agile and DevOps-driven engineering teams. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Client Success Specialist- Altrincham - Hybrid  Altrincham, Manchester - Hybrid Working – 4 days in the office, 1 day working from home after passing your 3 months’ probation35 hours per week - 9am - 5pm - Monday - Friday £25,400 + Benefits Looking for a role where you can make a real impact in a growing, purpose driven company?Want to be part of a team where your voice is heard and your ideas matter?Ready to grow your career while making a positive difference for customers and the planet?Our client is on the lookout for a proactive and personable Customer Success Specialist to join their certified B Corp SaaS business that's leading the way in innovation and customer experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a value led organisation where your contribution is genuinely recognised with plenty of room to grow your career.What’s in it for you? 25 days annual leave + 1 extra day for your birthday off + options to buy an additional 3 days per year after passing probationSalary of £25,400Career development and progression opportunities in a scaling SaaS businessEnhanced Maternity and Paternity LeaveMedical Health Cash PlanA flexible, supportive working environment that promotes work life balanceThe chance to be part of a certified B Corporation, committed to making a positive impact for people, customers and the planetRegular team socials and an inclusive, collaborative culture You will be joining an existing small team of customer centric Customer Service Advisors. You will be supporting customers with inquiries post sale, onboarding and offering continuous high levels of service. This could include raising customer tickets and seeing the customer enquiry through to completion.What You'll Be Doing? Acting as the first point of contact for customers, delivering friendly and professional support via phone and emailManaging customer queries end-to-end, ensuring timely resolutions and effective follow upsBuilding strong relationships with clients, keeping them informed and ensuring a positive experience throughoutWorking closely with internal teams to continuously improve the customer journeyIdentifying common trends in customer queries and suggesting improvements to products or processesStaying informed about company products, services, and systems to provide the best possible support You'll be a great fit if you: Have a positive, problem-solving mindset and a friendly approach to customer serviceEnjoy working in a fast paced environment and are able to adapt to shifting prioritiesCommunicate confidently and clearly, both verbally and in writingAre organised, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to qualityThrive as part of a team and are keen to learn and developIdeally have worked within Customer Services, Contact Centre or in an environment where you have to offer high levels of Customer Support on a daily basis including communication channels like phone and emailBring experience in a similar customer service or advisor role or have relevant transferable skills with the right attitude This is a 1 stage process, so if interested APPLY NOW or email alicia@forwardrole.com  for immediate consideration…Client Success Specialist- Altrincham - Hybrid As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.