Job Description

We are looking for an experienced IT Support Engineer to be based in the Whittle Laboratory. The Laboratory undertakes world-leading experimental and computational aerodynamic research, with long-established links with international manufacturers of turbomachinery, and currently undertaking exciting work towards sustainable, zero-carbon flight. The new Laboratory building (opening in October) will house the National Centre for Propulsion and Power (NCPP), which will play an important role in tackling climate change, accelerating the transition to zero-emission technologies.
The Whittle Laboratory is part of the Department of Engineering, which is the largest Department in Cambridge University. The Engineering Department has a long record of world-leading teaching and research across the engineering disciplines, and continues to break new ground in response to the challenges facing the world today. Based in the Whittle Laboratory, you will be a member of the Engineering Department's Information and Computing Services group (ICS) which provides IT and AV services that underpin the Department's teaching and research, as well as the administration that supports them. ICS comprises approximately 30 IT professionals, working closely in teams focused on user support, infrastructure, AV, research support and DevOps.
As Senior IT Engineer, you will be responsible for leading IT support within the Whittle Laboratory, including the NCPP. You will work closely with the academics, providing support for teaching, research and administration. You will be involved at all levels in the support and development of the IT infrastructure associated with the activities of the Laboratory, and you will liaise with organisations for which the Laboratory is undertaking research. Work activities would include the specification of standard and specialist computer hardware; integrating computer hardware with experimental research equipment; planning and implementation of IT projects; maintaining network and data security and advising research staff on computational platforms and data storage facilities. An ideal candidate would have demonstrable skills and experience with:

• Providing IT services in an academic environment
• Network and Data Security such as ISO/IEC 27000
• Source Control and Secure Code Management
• Delivering front-line, customer-facing IT support
• Troubleshooting PC and Server hardware and software issues
• Microsoft Windows (10, 11) and Office products
• Microsoft Server (2019), Active Directory and GPOs
• Linux system management (Rocky, Ubuntu, Raspberry P)
• Computer deployment tools (Windows and Linux)
• Networking (DNS, DHCP, Cisco)

Familiarity with python, AWS, and WordPress would all be an advantage.
As a member of ICS's Divisional Support team, you will work alongside other IT professionals embedded in the Department's academic divisions, including an IT technician in the Whittle Laboratory. You will also collaborate closely with ICS's Department-wide Support and Infrastructure teams, escalating and receiving requests, and sharing information and best practice across the teams. For the NCPP, there will be a particularly strong requirement for network security, and you will work with the network specialists in the Infrastructure team to ensure requirements are met.
In this role, you will use and be exposed to a wide range of technologies in a dynamic environment. You will work independently, as well as part of a larger team, and you will be supported to manage your own workload. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work as a pro-active, persuasive and enthusiastic team member. You will be educated to degree level or have an equivalent level of experience. The responsibilities of the role mean that you will normally work on-site at the Laboratory.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 December 2028 in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Office at the Department of Engineering ( , 01223 332615).
Please quote reference NM47714 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Further information

Skills Required