DevOps Developer

• Build and refine CI/CD pipelines and implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) in Azure.
• Automate deployments and troubleshoot configuration, performance, and security issues.
• Collaborate with architects, developers, and platform teams to deliver secure, scalable solutions.
• Contribute to a project designed to scale for the future, introducing new technologies along the way., The DevOps Engineer supports the design and implementation of enterprise applications within our Azure environment. DevOps Engineers are responsible for building platforms and frameworks to create consistent, verifiable, and automatic management of applications and infrastructure between non-production and production environments.

This role requires extensive experience in application development within Azure coupled with detailed understanding of Azure DevOps. This role takes ownership of our DevOps pipelines ensuring that we comply to the required standards for security and performance on all projects. Maintaining up to date knowledge and a full appreciation of the future roadmap for Azure DevOps is required. The role requires hands-on software development alongside DevOps responsibilities.Landscape: The Assessment Technology group reports directly into the Chief Executive Officer. The group operates in close partnership with the Enterprise Technology and Central Hubs departments

The Assessment Technology group is responsible for the operational systems that deliver millions of GCSE and A-level results annually. It includes the technology for assessment design and production, and the full lifecycle of exams series delivery from entry to post-results services.

Given the seasonal nature and criticality of the Summer exams series, the role will be required to provide hands-on technical expertise through critical issues during the Summer series which may require some unsociable hours.

The DevOps Engineer works within a delivery team using an Agile approach to development. The team consists of a Product Owner, Scrum Master, Business Analysts, Developers and Quality Control resources. Together they are responsible for the delivery of features from a prioritised product backlog.

Activities: DevOps Set clear documented standards for DevOps and ensures consistency across all projects. Work with the Solutions Architect to ensure that our DevOps environments meet the required standards for performance and security. In addition, align and support smart monitoring features that alert developers to security and functionality issues. Work with Lead and Solutions Architects to design and implement proposed solutions. Implementation of automated scripts and pipelines for deploying, configuring, scaling, and securing Azure environments and components. Problem solving issues in Azure environments around configuration, performance, and security. Delivery of our continuous integration strategy that supports constantly testing new code and merging it into existing software. Provide technical leadership for a team of developers who have a dual responsibility as DevOps Engineers. Holding regular meetings and ensuring skills and knowledge are shared and kept up to date.

Software Development Work with Business Analysts, Architects and the QC team with own initiative to produce quality code with good unit test coverage. Review User Stories to define tasks assigning appropriate Story Points and estimates. Be responsible for the management of implementation through effective breakdown into tasks, estimates and timely updates in Azure DevOps. Build unit tests that prove the correct operation of the code to a specified level of coverage. Demonstrate a pro-active approach to communication within the team including any impediments to be escalated to the team leader. Highlight opportunities for improvement of system's stability, performance, supportability and overall processing Provide technical leadership to more junior members of the team Adhere to documented departmental procedures and methods. Participate in Sprint Planning, Daily scrums, Retrospectives and Peer reviews Support production use of systems through customer fixes, including on-call and some out of hours support

Quality framework Adhere to documented company and departmental quality procedures, standards, and methods. Help to evolve the documented departmental procedures and methods. Create efficiency in development through promoting continuous process improvement.

Team working Report progress and provide regular feedback to the Principal DevOps Engineer, Development Manager, Team Leaders, Scrum Master and team members Work closely with other team members, e.g. peer programming and code reviews

Other responsibilities associated with the role: Risk Management - Participate in the identification, assessment, planning and management of threats and opportunities as appropriate. Information Security - take an active part in the preservation of confidentiality, availability and integrity of information assets used in conducting the role and follow additional security procedures associated with specific activities where applicable.

AQA Milton Keynes is a recognised Investor in People. It is the DevOps Engineers responsibility to ensure that their own professional knowledge and job skills are always fully up to date.

These responsibilities are not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. There may be other duties and requirements associated with the post which the company may reasonably require you to perform from time to time.

• A blended skill set: solid understanding of software development (e.g., C#, modern frontend frameworks) and experience with cloud infrastructure (Azure) and DevOps practices.
• Strong knowledge of Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and IaC tools (e.g., Bicep).
• Proficiency in Git workflows, PowerShell, Azure CLI, and YAML pipelines.
• Working knowledge of SQL/NoSQL and awareness of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• A problem-solving mindset, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning new technologies., Demonstrate good knowledge, and experience in Azure DevOps in the delivery and support of our product development. Effectively communicate with Managers, Architects, Developers and Platform Services and Support on current status, new requirements and changes required within DevOPS to support project delivery. Work seamlessly with Platform Services and Support as partners in the delivery of all DevOps features. Demonstrate a pro-active approach to communication within project teams as evidenced by software development team being kept well informed of progress and any impediments. Azure development experience is beneficial but not essential Experience as a DevOps engineer or in a similar software engineering role.Good knowledge of Git and associated workflows, PowerShell and AzureCli (related to automation scripts) Azure DevOps, Bicep (and IaC in general) and Yaml Pipelines (Assisting in setting up and maintaining CI/CD pipelines). Working knowledge of NoSQL and SQL, C# and frontend frameworks. Awareness of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (K8 or Docker Swarm) and supporting technologies (Dapr), frontend frameworks in particular Vite and React. Basic understanding of network protocols and configurations. Inquisitive and Problem-solving attitude. Working with different teams to provide value and where possible. Enthusiasm to learn and adapt to DevOps technologies.

• Be part of a greenfield project that's already making an impact.
• Work with leading-edge technologies in a collaborative, forward-thinking team.
• 25 days' holiday + Bank Holidays + Christmas shutdown.
• Flexible hybrid working and genuine investment in your development.
• Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution).
• Private Medical Insurance…and more.

At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and we're committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen. DevOps Developer 2 Year Fixed Term Contract Hybrid - Milton Keynes £51,300 - £63,100 Are you passionate about building modern solutions and working with cutting-edge technology? Do you thrive on solving complex challenges and want to contribute to a project that's shaping the future of education technology? At AQA we're looking for an experienced DevOps Developer to join us at an exciting stage of a major greenfield project. This initiative is already transforming our assessment technology, and you'll play a key role in delivering the next phases-working with Azure cloud-first architecture, microservices, containerization, and modern front-end frameworks.