Application Packager

• Manage application-packaging requests from discovery and intake, including requirements gathering, licensing checks, dependency analysis and rationalisation of duplicate or obsolete versions.
• Create, test and maintain application packages using MSI, MST transforms and scripted installs, with tools such as Flexera AdminStudio, InstallShield and ORCA.
• Package complex and specialist applications, including Autodesk, Microsoft Office, engineering and scientific software, as well as legacy applications still in service.
• Build and deploy applications through MECM Current Branch using the application model, including detection methods, requirements, dependencies, supersedence, uninstall and rollback.
• Apply packaging standards and quality assurance, including naming conventions, clean-build testing, peer review and documented sign-off evidence.
• Coordinate application compatibility testing and user acceptance testing with application owners and business users.
• Handle installation media securely in a controlled, disconnected environment, following agreed media-import, scanning and software-provenance processes.
• Maintain packaged applications through their lifecycle, including version updates, security patches, vulnerability remediation and retirement.
• Support Windows 10/11 migration and desktop transformation projects, including large-scale deployments and contributions to OS gold builds.
• Provide third-line support for packaging and deployment issues, diagnosing failures with installer logs and troubleshooting tools.
• Follow Change, Release and Configuration Management processes, maintaining accurate records, package documentation and working instructions.
• Produce deployment and application-estate reports to support decision-making and lifecycle planning.
• Contribute to continual improvement, automation and standardisation of packaging and desktop engineering processes.
• Work within the contractual scope and Statement of Work, routing out-of-scope or locally agreed requests through the appropriate process.

Technologies:

• Active Directory
• C#
• Citrix
• Cloud
• Support
• ITIL
• PowerShell
• Security
• ServiceNow
• Windows, We are seeking an Application Packager for a six-month, fully onsite assignment in Reading, operating inside IR35 on an umbrella basis. You will join our Software Discovery and Packaging Team in a secure, business-critical defence environment. The team delivers applications end to end, from discovery and intake through packaging, testing, deployment, updates and retirement, and supports the operating-system gold-build process. Our environment uses Windows 10/11 and MECM-based delivery alongside long-standing and specialist applications, and involves close collaboration with application owners, desktop engineering, infrastructure, security, service management and customer stakeholders.

• Must hold active DV clearance.
• Proven enterprise application-packaging experience for Windows 10/11, ideally in a desktop transformation or managed-service environment, including complex applications with dependencies, drivers, licensing or custom configuration.
• Expert MSI knowledge, including transforms, custom actions, repair and verbose logging, using Flexera AdminStudio, InstallShield, ORCA or equivalent tools.
• Strong MECM Current Branch deployment experience, including the application model, collections, distribution points, detection methods and troubleshooting; working knowledge of Active Directory and Group Policy.
• Experience with PowerShell scripting, ideally PSADT, and structured troubleshooting using tools such as Process Monitor, installer logs and capture tools.
• Experience working within Change and Release Management in a controlled environment, with clear documentation, working instructions and reporting.
• Strong communication and stakeholder skills; well organised and able to prioritise competing requests.
• Legacy experience with Windows 7, App-V or BAT/VBScript is an advantage.
• OS deployment, task sequences and gold builds are an advantage.
• C# or similar experience for custom actions or tooling is an advantage.
• Experience with MSIX, Intune Win32, co-management, App Volumes, Citrix or VDI delivery is an advantage.
• ServiceNow, ITIL Foundation, and agile or waterfall delivery experience are an advantage.
• Defence, government or air-gapped environment experience, including secure media handling, is an advantage; networking and cloud fundamentals and vendor certifications such as Flexera or Microsoft are also advantageous.