Job Description

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 90,000
If 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 one

This 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&D

What "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 hierarchy

Non-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 outcomes

Why 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 structure

Inclusion
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.
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Skills Required