Senior DevOps Engineer

On behalf of DWP, we are looking for a Senior DevOps Engineer for a 10 Month contract (Inside IR35) based Hybrid in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle.

You will work closely with Engineering and Architecture Leads to ensure systems are fit for purpose. With a focus on stability, availability, and quality, you will be accountable for the code you produce and the infrastructure you administer.

As a key member of the Change Integration and Platform Solution Team, you will develop API platforms to support the transition of HR and financial data across the DWP landscape. You'll be part of a dynamic team managing infrastructure, pipelines, and microservices across AWS, Azure, and Kubernetes platforms.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role involving modern DevOps tooling, while also offering the opportunity to coach and mentor other engineers. You'll work across both Linux and Windows environments, supporting cloud migration, secure access, and observability strategies.

As a Senior DevOps Engineer your main responsibilities will be to:
. Design, implement, and maintain AWS and Azure infrastructure using Terraform and GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
. Manage Kubernetes clusters and containerised microservices with observability via Prometheus, Grafana, Jaeger, and Kiali.
. Support secure API integrations using Kong Enterprise and data services such as MongoDB and SQL Server.
. Troubleshoot and maintain cloud networking, storage, proxies, and compute services across Windows and Linux.
. Create and manage reusable infrastructure libraries, pipeline templates, and DevOps toolchains.
. Coach and mentor junior engineers, promoting DevOps best practices and supporting skill development.
. Collaborate with senior officers and cross-functional teams to break down work into deliverable tasks and guide technical direction.

Essential:
. Strong experience with AWS and Azure, including networking and security configurations.
. Expertise in infrastructure-as-code using Terraform and Terragrunt.
. Deep hands-on experience with GitLab CI/CD pipelines and automation.
. Proficient in Kubernetes administration and troubleshooting within microservices environments.
. Scripting ability in both PowerShell and Bash.
. Familiarity with observability tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Jaeger, and Kiali.
. Working knowledge of SQL Server, PKI, Kong, MongoDB, and data porting.

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DWP guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

DWP guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".