Job Description

Job Introduction

We're looking for an exceptional

Lead Application Operations Engineer

to help us make a difference to our planet.


As our Lead Application Operations Engineer, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.


Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

We're a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact We're experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making We're better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

Within the National Capability Technology's Operational Suite team, you work alongside another Lead Application Operations Engineer to provide line management, leadership and management of the team to deliver outstanding services.


You promote knowledge collaboration and adoption of good practices - providing technical leadership, coaching, and mentorship for your team.


You have strong analytical skills using these to guide and mentor your team through complex technical challenges, and to interpret and present service performance reports.

Your key duties

:

Team Leadership: lead and develop the team to support and deliver its operational services, with line management responsibility for team members. Team Management: plan, direct and prioritise the activities of the team. Service Delivery: ensure the Operational Suite services are delivered in line with the SLA's/OLA's in a cost effective manner. The Operational Suite runs 24/7/365 and will at times require support outside of normal working hours. Service Improvement: Work with colleagues and stakeholders to continually improve the service we deliver. Technical expertise: manage high impact, complex changes; lead the investigation and resolution of incidents; be proactive in searching for potential problems; identify process improvements and contribute to the implementation of proposed solutions

We operate an on-call roster in Technology to provide 24/7/365 support to respond to operational service requirements. This post may be part of an on-call roster and the postholder would be required to participate in an on-call roster where in operation.

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their 'Best Workplaces in Tech' 2023, 2024 and 2025 lists, as well as their '54 Best Workplaces for Women' 2023 list.


As our Lead Application Operations Engineer, your total reward package will be up to 65,569 annually, which includes:

43,081 base pay An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97% Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) you will be paid 5,300 per annum as a market supplement to reflect the demand for your skills. Whilst in post, you will be paid this market driven allowance from April 2024 until March 2026 in your monthly pay Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

A demonstrable track record of successfully managing operational systems in support and development environments, or equivalent experience. (We're experts by nature) Understand the importance and benefits of implementing processes, such as ITIL, for managing information systems, and how to use them to ensure excellent service delivery. (We're experts by nature) Able to work under broad direction establishing own milestones, team objectives and delegate assignments. (We're better together) Have experience of leadership, planning and organising to deliver packages of work across teams. (We're better together) A proven ability to communicate with other departments, teams, customers or suppliers at a technical and business level. (We live and breathe it)

How to apply

If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.


Closing date 19/01/2026 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 09/02/2026. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

Using AI in your application

We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit

our approach to recruitment

How we can help

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at

careers@metoffice.gov.uk

If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.


We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.


We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.


If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact us at:

careers@metoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

info@csc.gov.uk