DevOps Engineer (National Security)

If you've worked in National Security for any length of time, you already know the difference between a consultancy that genuinely empowers engineers and one that treats them like ticket-closers. This team sits firmly in the first category.

They are a younger, more energetic outfit with a reputation for treating people like adults. The interview process is quick. The L&D is serious. The culture is better than what you'll find at many of the primes.

Right now, they are growing a high-performing engineering unit inside a major secure programme.

They want a DevOps Engineer who can operate confidently on the high side, contribute to a real product build, and help shape the future of a quietly successful division.

What you'll be doing

You'll join an Agile engineering team building a bespoke software solution for a National Security customer. Your day to day will cover:

• Designing, implementing and maintaining cloud infrastructure across AWS, Azure and private cloud environments
• Deploying, scaling and managing Kubernetes clusters
• Building automation for deployments, monitoring and testing
• Improving infrastructure performance, resilience and cost efficiency
• Troubleshooting infrastructure and application issues
• Working closely with systems engineers and customer stakeholders
• Mentoring junior engineers and setting strong technical standards
• Contributing to a genuinely collaborative delivery culture instead of a process-driven one

This is hands-on engineering, not PowerPoint engineering.

The tech you'll touch

(This comes directly from the official spec )

Kubernetes Docker Helm Terraform GitLab / Jenkins Packer Vault Serverless Elastic Stack Prometheus Grafana Nexus / Artifactory AWS and Azure cloud services

• Engineers based near South West NS hubs, or willing to commute to high-side sites
• People who enjoy working in smaller, high-impact teams
• Those who like real engineering problems, not service desk-adjacent tasks
• Engineers who want genuine progression and access to structured L&D

What "good" looks like

• Clear communicator
• Comfortable working with cross-functional delivery teams
• Able to run with ownership rather than waiting for instruction
• Practical problem solver, not a theoretical purist
• Values collaboration over hierarchy

Non-negotiables

• Must already hold the level of clearance required to work on UK high-side systems
• Sole UK nationals only
• Able to work on site in secure locations on a regular hybrid pattern
• Strong DevOps or platform engineering experience with real delivery outcomes

* A culture that feels more supportive and less bureaucratic than many NS consultancies * Real autonomy and the chance to contribute to a growing division rather than a legacy structure Inclusion If you don't meet every single requirement, that is fine. Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often self-select out. If you have secure-sector experience and the core DevOps skills, you are encouraged to apply. Adjustments can be made throughout the interview process on request. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.