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# Principal Applications Engineer

- **Company:** Thales Group
- **Location:** Bristol, UK
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Agile Methodology, Confluence, JIRA, Microsoft Azure, Backup Devices, Cloud Computing, Configuration Management, Software Quality, Continuous Integration, DevOps, FlexNet Publisher, Linux System Administration, SonarQube, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Containerization, Atlassian Tools, Bitbucket, Polarion, Software Version Control, Docker, Jenkins, Artifactory
- **Published:** October 11, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.apply4u.co.uk/jobs/principal-applications-engineer/51267104

## About the Role

licensing).Build or modify deployment solutions where off-the-shelf reuse isn't possible, often using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation.Improve current processes through automation, reducing manual effort and increasing consistency and reliability.Maintain existing environments through the transition phase, ensuring stability for engineering users while new platforms are rolled out.Support delivery teams with automated tools and scripts to provision infrastructure resources (compute, network, storage) in a simple and efficient manner.Implement operational best practices, including supervision/monitoring, backups, archives, and log management, to ensure robust, secure, and auditable environments.You'll maintain principal relationships with engineering users, the Technical Product Owner, Service Delivery Manager, Delivery Manager, and Head of Discipline to align tooling with business needs.Technical stack and skillsWe are looking for strong hands-on experience in modern DevOps and
platform engineering technologies. Highly desirable skills include:Linux administration and scriptingCI/CD methodologies and pipeline designKubernetes and Docker for containerisation and orchestrationJFrog Platform (Artifactory/XRay) for artifact and dependency managementGitLab for source control and CIAnsible for configuration management and automationPython for scripting and toolingVirtual Machines and cloud infrastructure conceptsPlus experience in any of the following is a strong advantage:Atlassian Suite (Jira, Bitbucket, Confluence)Siemens Polarion (requirements/ALM)FlexLM License ServerBlack Duck SCA, Coverity, SonarQube (security and code quality)Jenkins (CI/CD)Benefits:Performance-related bonusHalf day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:0028 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)24 hours volunteering paid forPrivate healthcarePension schemeLife cover24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing

## Description

on a cloud-based platform. In this role, you will:Build and support a modern, cloud-native tooling environment that provides an outstanding experience for engineering teams across the UK.Lead migration from legacy on-prem or older tooling to new Azure-based solutions, ensuring continuity of service during the transition.Work in an agile development team, collaborating closely with a Technical Product Owner and other stakeholders to plan, prioritise, and deliver improvements.Provide coaching and guidance to more junior team members and champion best practices in deployment, automation, and operations.The role sits at the intersection of platform engineering, DevOps, and internal developer experience, with a strong emphasis on reliability, automation, and user satisfaction for engineering teams.Key responsibilitiesYour core accountabilities include:Deploy and support industry-leading tools on Thales' cloud-based Azure infrastructure (e.g., CI/CD, artifact management, code quality