Infrastructure Engineering Specialist - GCHQ - EO
Government Digital & Data -
This role is primarily office-based, with most of the work undertaken in the office. We offer flexible working hours, including options for compressed and part-time shifts. While working from home isn’t guaranteed, it might be possible on occasion, based on personal and business needs. Once you are established in the role, you may also be required to join an on-call rota.
About Us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
Job description
The Role
As an Infrastructure Engineering Specialist, you’ll play a key role in supporting, maintaining, and developing capabilities that drive our critical operations. You’ll work alongside colleagues who share your passion for technology, building strong relationships with internal teams, industry networks, and our intelligence partners. Whether you’re tackling complex challenges or discovering new innovations, you’ll enjoy a vibrant environment filled with variety, impact and collaborative teamwork.
You could find yourself working in exciting areas such as Networks, Operating Systems, Applications, Data Transfer, or Cyber Security. Depending on the team, you might be developing cloud-native technologies, deploying innovative applications, automating processes through Infrastructure as Code, or shaping new and efficient workflows. Whatever the task, you’ll be contributing to unique infrastructure projects that make a meaningful difference, driving substantial progress and creating lasting change.
Please note that while this role does not involve shift work, you may be required to join our on-call rota to ensure continuous support. Additionally, in most cases, this role includes line management responsibilities, providing you with the opportunity to lead and mentor team members.
Person specification
About You
You’ll have experience working with and knowledge of various technologies. While you don’t need to be familiar with all of them, some of the key areas include:
- Cloud Services: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
- CI/CD Workflows & Tools: Jenkins, Concourse, Bamboo, AWS Code Deploy
- Programming & Scripting Languages: PowerShell, Python, Ruby, GoLang
- Infrastructure: Physical, virtual, cloud, container-based e.g., VMWare, AWS
- Operating Systems: Linux, Windows, MacOS
- Networking Technologies: WAN/LAN
- Authentication & Authorisation Protocols: OpenID Connect
You have a solid background in IT, having worked as part of a collaborative team or been involved in end-to-end product development. Your enthusiasm and motivation drive you to stay ahead of technology trends, ensuring you bring the latest innovations to your work. You thrive in a fast-paced, Agile environment, where collaboration and adaptability are key. Your creative problem-solving skills shine through as you navigate changes and challenges. Under pressure, you remain focused and prioritise tasks effectively, delivering high-quality results consistently.
As you work with a range of colleagues and customers, you’ll take the time to understand their requirements, share your knowledge, and translate technical information for non-technical people. In addition, you’ll have a desire to learn new skills and further your knowledge in an environment that encourages fresh thinking and innovation.
Training and Development
When you start, you’ll receive a 3-day departmental induction, followed by a comprehensive business induction to help you meet the team and settle into life at GCHQ. You’ll have a dedicated line manager who will act as your “buddy” offering advice and guidance whenever you need it.
From day one, you’ll be encouraged to pursue training tailored to your needs and role. You might attend relevant supplier conferences, be paired with mentors for both technical and personal development, or join an internal, friendly group that shares your passion and enjoys knowledge sharing. Additionally, you’ll have opportunities to engage in bespoke, in-house training designed to develop the specific skills and experience valued by the organisation. You may also have opportunities to apply for professional registration with esteemed bodies such as the institution of Engineering and Technology or the British Computer Society, with funding provided for these registrations. The specific learning opportunities may vary based on the skills needed to undertake your role.
