Job Description

Careers

UK Based

Platform Engineer - Hereford (L6)
Hereford (onsite)

Salary Negotiable
Role Overview
The

Platform Engineer

role is critical in designing, building, and maintaining secure, scalable, and resilient platform services that support defence applications and operational capabilities.


In this role, you will work within a multi-disciplinary team across DevOps, cybersecurity, software development, and systems engineering, helping to deliver infrastructure and platform solutions for national security-critical systems.


Due to the security restrictions of this role, applicants need to hold, or be able to obtain, the necessary security clearance level of DV. (SC with the ability to obtain DV will be considered.) See Gov.UK for further information: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)


The role may require travel to various sites within the UK which will require overnight stays.
Key ResponsibilitiesDesign and implement secure, automated, and scalable platform environments to support software delivery and operational systems. Manage infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Pulumi). Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins, Azure DevOps) to streamline deployments across environments. Collaborate with development teams to enable secure, repeatable environments for application hosting, testing, and delivery. Implement and maintain container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker) and serverless infrastructure where applicable. Monitor platform performance, availability, and security using observability tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK). Ensure platforms meet stringent defence compliance standards (e.g., NIST 800-53, MOD JSP 604, IRAP, or DISA STIGs). Lead or contribute to threat modelling, incident response, and platform hardening activities. Support legacy system migration to modern platforms in both connected and air-gapped environments.
Requirements

Essential

Proven experience as a Platform Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, or DevOps Engineer. Strong skills in Linux and/or Windows server administration, scripting (e.g., Bash, Python, PowerShell), and automation. Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, MODCloud, or on-prem private clouds). Deep understanding of containerisation, orchestration (Kubernetes/OpenShift), and networking concepts. Familiarity with defence security standards and controls (e.g., JSP 604, ISO 27001, NCSC guidance). Experience working in Agile/Scrum or scaled Agile environments.

Desirable

Certifications: CKA, CKAD, AWS/Azure DevOps Engineer, CISSP, Security+, or similar. Experience with secure enclave design, cross-domain solutions, or air-gapped systems. Familiarity with secrets management (e.g., HashiCorp Vault), service mesh (e.g., Istio), or Zero Trust Architecture. Exposure to defence or intelligence domains, either in MOD, defence primes, or high-assurance systems integrators.
Thorn BenefitsCompetitive salary. A collaborative team of experts committed to innovation and national security 25 days Annual Leave (plus Bank Holidays) Employer Pension Contributions Group Life Insurance Dental Cashback Plan Health Cashback Plan Wellbeing Services (includes GP, Physio and Savings Benefits) Thorn Wellbeing Support Contribution Cycle to Work Scheme Supported Training & Personal Development Opportunities
Job Details

Role:

Platform Engineer (L6)

Location:

Hereford

Salary:

Salary Negotiable