Infrastructure Engineer - Server & Virtualisation - salary £46,160 p.a. + digital allowance + benefits

We are currently looking for an Infrastructure Engineer - Server & Virtualisation to join our Technology Service & Operations function within the Digital & Technology group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU or South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

This role will also be required to participate in the Agency's out of hours on-call rota on a periodic basis. An on-call payment will be added to the salary depending on the frequency of participation in the rota., We plan to be at the heart of one of the most digitally advanced medical regulators in the world and we need people who can help us deliver that ambition. D&T is a great place to build your career and we are committed to enabling our people to do the best work of their lives.

The Technology & Service Operations function is responsible for managing the existing IT infrastructure including both software and hardware, databases, and other technology platforms; leading the support and maintenance of applications; development and testing of new applications and platforms; and cyber and information security for the Agency.

What's the role?

The Infrastructure Engineer will be responsible for assisting in the management and delivery of infrastructure projects and business-as-usual (BAU) tasks, focusing primarily on the our data centre infrastructure. This role is vital for maintaining the stability, performance, and security of the Infrastructure as the MHRA undertakes a significant overhaul of its IT infrastructure, including the deployment of new equipment.

The successful candidate will apply their technical expertise in core Infrastructure technologies to support day-to-day operations. You will collaborate with other engineers to troubleshoot and resolve issues, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives. The role involves working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that infrastructure activities align with overall IT strategy and operational objectives.

An on-call component is required, as this role involves providing support for critical issues outside regular working hours, ensuring minimal disruption to services.

Key responsibilities:

This is a hands-on technical role where you will be expected to interact daily with core IT Infrastructure technologies. You are expected to be able to configure, manage and diagnose the IT Infrastructure components detailed in this advert.

Technical skills and IT systems we use:

We are undertaking a program of works that is focused on reducing our suppliers and vendors to ensure we can build skillsets around vendor technology stacks. This roll will require the technical skills in HPe and VMWare, with networking.

• HPe Synergy frame management - Understanding of Synergy networking and interconnections with networks
• Using HPe Synergy Compute in a virtual environment
• VMWare vSphere (ESXi) in a managed environment (vCenter)
• HPe DL and ML standalone server deploy and manage (optional) with nVidia graphics accelerators for AI and high-capacity compute
• Windows server OS management in a VM environment
• Active Directly management and use as an admin tool
• (optional) Redhat and BSD Linux in a virtual environment

Leadership and Escalation:

• Lead and manage the successful execution of Infrastructure projects, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and within scope while supporting the MHRA's IT strategy.
• Serve as the main escalation point for junior engineers, providing advanced troubleshooting and technical expertise in resolving complex infrastructure issues, ensuring high-quality resolutions that prevent future incidents.
• Mentor and support junior engineers, fostering a collaborative environment and encouraging skills development across the team.

Infrastructure Stability, Security, and Performance:

• Take ownership of the overall stability, performance, and security of our IT Infrastructure, which includes assisting in the management of data centre services such as blade systems, virtualisation platforms, servers, Storage, Backup and power systems.
• Implement and maintain robust security protocols to safeguard the infrastructure, ensuring compliance with security policies and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively monitor and assess core network performance, identifying potential risks or weaknesses and applying pre-emptive solutions to minimise downtime and service disruptions.
• Play a pivotal role in the agency's ongoing IT infrastructure overhaul by recommending, testing, and integrating cutting-edge infrastructure technologies., Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:
• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk., * UK nationals

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Do you have experience in vSphere?, * Experience in supporting Infrastructure operations, particularly in Virtualisation and server/Compute components of on-prem infrastructure in data centre environments.

• A track record of identifying deeper underlying problems and opportunities and anticipating problems before they occur.
• Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with suppliers, making sure services and products are delivered and aligned to industry best practice and regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Proven experience in troubleshooting and maintenance, including experience in configuring and managing Infrastructure components.
• Understanding of server Operating Systems including Windows Server (all current versions) and Linux in enterprise environments.
• Technical knowledge of Infrastructure technologies, including an understanding of HPe Synergy BladeSystem's and VMWare virtualisation services.
• Understanding of industry standards and best practices related to IT Infrastructure deployment such as Windows server deployments, Active directory, GPO's, ESXi in a vSphere managed deployment., Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks., Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

A Digital Allowance of up to £12,823 per annum may be available for exceptional candidates based on our assessment of your skills and experience. This allowance is non-pensionable and may change on an annual basis., Alongside your salary of £46,160, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £13,372 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
• Privilege Leave: 1 day
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
• Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
• Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
• Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)
• Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
• On-going learning and development

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The Digital and Technology Group (D&T) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general public. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU. The work we do matters!