Senior DevOps Engineer - DfE - SEO
Government Digital & Data -
These are exciting times at the Department for Education. In 2025, we will continue to build services for all our users and in STA we are digitizing our assessment platforms.
Our diverse and inclusive culture reflects the society we live in. This helps us to achieve better outcomes for all our users. We work in multi-disciplinary teams using Agile methods to innovate and radically improve services that:
- Raise education standards and provide the best start in life for children
- Support disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people
- Drive economic growth
You can read more about our strategy on the DfE digital and technology blog, by visiting our LinkedIn page, or by following us on Twitter @DfE_DigitalTech .
Job description
We are recruiting a DevOps Engineer to work in our Digital Technology Portfolio. We work with the digital/data teams in Standards Testing Agency(STA) to design and build assessment platforms. The DevOps Engineer will design, implement, and optimize cloud-based infrastructure and deployment pipelines to support STA's assessment delivery platforms. Focusing on automation, scalability, and security, the role ensures seamless integration of both vendor solutions.
Job Responsibilities:
- Cloud Infrastructure Design & Deployment: Design and implement scalable Azure-based infrastructure, leveraging services like Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), App Services, and Logic Apps. Develop high-availability and disaster recovery solutions using Azure Site Recovery, Backup Vaults, and Load Balancers.
- Automation & Continuous Delivery: Build and manage CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions. Automate infrastructure provisioning and configuration with tools like Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates.
- Security & Compliance: Implement security best practices, including RBAC, AAD, and Azure Key Vault for secrets management. Monitor vulnerabilities using Azure Security Center, Defender for Cloud, and Sentinel, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards like FERPA and ADA.
- Performance Monitoring & Optimization: Use Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Application Insights for performance tracking and troubleshooting.
- Optimise cloud resources with auto-scaling and cost-saving strategies.
- Conduct load testing to ensure performance under peak traffic conditions.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Agile Working (Practitioner): Skilled in identifying and implementing effective delivery methods while measuring outcomes and adhering to MVP priorities. Proficient in helping teams visualise workflows, manage tasks, and prioritise effectively.
- DevOps Expertise: Experience in managing Azure-based infrastructures, including setting up CI/CD pipelines, automating deployments, and optimizing cloud resources for performance and cost efficiency.
- Problem Investigation and Service Improvements: Adept at identifying and analysing problems and opportunities within existing and new services. Capable of delivering actionable recommendations that drive system reliability and user satisfaction.
- Technical Communication: Experienced in translating technical concepts into clear, actionable language for stakeholders, business users, and non-technical audiences to ensure alignment and understanding.
- Agile Methodologies: Understanding of agile ways of working, including Scrum and Kanban, with a focus on iterative development and user-centred design.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
- CI/CD Pipelines
- Scripting & Automation
- Cloud Architecture
- Azure Core Services
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- CI/CD Pipelines
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £41,458, Department for Education contributes £12,010 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
