DevOps Architect / Head of DevOps
DevOps Architect / Head of DevOps

DevOps Architect / Head of DevOps

Newcastle upon Tyne Full-Time 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team of DevOps engineers, driving quality and implementing solutions across cross-functional teams.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on integrating innovative DevOps practices into product development.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, mentorship opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of technology, shaping the future of DevOps while fostering professional growth.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in AWS and cloud technologies, with leadership experience in DevOps roles.
  • Other info: Experience in a SaaS environment is a bonus!

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

In this role, you’ll provide architectural direction, hands-on support, and people leadership to a small, distributed group of DevOps engineers embedded across cross-functional teams. Working closely with technical architects and operations, you will lead the DevOps function, facilitating the smooth integration of DevOps practices into the product team's day to day.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Solution Architecture – Collaborate with various teams to design and implement solutions that meet business requirements.
  • Line Management – Manage a group of embedded DevOps engineers, providing mentorship, coaching, and performance management to foster professional growth and development.
  • Driving Quality and Standards – Identify opportunities to improve quality and work with teams to effect change, promoting reliability, security, performance, observability, etc.
  • Security and Compliance – Ensure systems remain compliant with relevant controls and help funnel critical infrastructure security and compliance issues into product backlogs.
  • Cost Management – Manage budgets for development environments and software, helping teams track and manage spend.
  • Hands-On Development – Lead by example with technical proficiency and direct contributions to team deliverables.
  • Reporting, Stakeholder Communication & Alignment – Provide regular updates on team performance, initiatives, and challenges to leadership and stakeholders.

Skills & Knowledge:

  • Cloud Expertise (AWS) – Strong knowledge of AWS services, their applications, and limitations.
  • Infrastructure as Code – Proficiency with AWS ecosystem tools such as CDK, TypeScript, and CloudFormation.
  • CI/CD Proficiency – In-depth understanding of the software development lifecycle and CI/CD tools (e.g., GitHub Actions).
  • Scalable System Design – Experience building and maintaining scalable, highly available systems with established SLAs/SLOs.
  • NoSQL Expertise – Practical experience with NoSQL technologies such as DynamoDB, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
  • Design Patterns – Understanding of modern infrastructure design patterns, including serverless computing, containers, gateways, and event brokers.

Education & Experience:

  • 8+ years of experience with AWS and cloud technologies.
  • 8+ years of experience in DevOps roles.
  • 3+ years of experience in a leadership or management capacity.
  • Prior experience in a SaaS environment is a plus.
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Contact Detail:

Nigel Wright Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land DevOps Architect / Head of DevOps

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest AWS services and tools, especially those mentioned in the job description like CDK and CloudFormation. Being able to discuss these technologies confidently during interviews will show your expertise and readiness for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Highlight your leadership experience by preparing examples of how you've mentored or managed teams in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to lead a distributed group of DevOps engineers effectively.

✨Tip Number 3

Stay updated on best practices in CI/CD and scalable system design. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these practices in past projects, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the position.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your approach to security and compliance in cloud environments. Having concrete examples of how you've addressed these issues in previous roles will be crucial, given their importance in this position.

We think you need these skills to ace DevOps Architect / Head of DevOps

Cloud Expertise (AWS)
Infrastructure as Code (CDK, TypeScript, CloudFormation)
CI/CD Proficiency (e.g., GitHub Actions)
Scalable System Design
NoSQL Expertise (DynamoDB, MongoDB, Cassandra)
Design Patterns (serverless computing, containers, gateways, event brokers)
Leadership and People Management
Mentorship and Coaching
Performance Management
Quality Assurance and Standards Improvement
Security and Compliance Management
Cost Management and Budgeting
Stakeholder Communication
Hands-On Development Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with AWS, DevOps practices, and leadership roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in solution architecture and team management.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for DevOps and how your background aligns with the company's goals. Mention your hands-on experience and your approach to driving quality and standards within teams.

Showcase Relevant Projects: Include details of specific projects where you implemented CI/CD pipelines or worked with NoSQL technologies. This will help illustrate your technical proficiency and problem-solving abilities.

Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your experience in managing teams and mentoring engineers. Provide examples of how you've fostered professional growth and improved team performance in previous roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at Nigel Wright Recruitment

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a DevOps Architect or Head of DevOps, you'll be expected to lead a team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you've mentored others, and the strategies you've used to foster professional growth within your teams.

✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency

Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with AWS and relevant tools like CDK, TypeScript, and CloudFormation. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you implemented these technologies and the impact they had on the team's performance.

✨Discuss Quality and Compliance

Prepare examples of how you've driven quality improvements and ensured compliance in past roles. This could include specific initiatives you've led to enhance security, reliability, or performance in systems you've managed.

✨Understand the Business Context

It's crucial to align DevOps practices with business goals. Be ready to explain how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams to design solutions that meet business requirements and how you've managed budgets effectively in your previous roles.

DevOps Architect / Head of DevOps
Nigel Wright Recruitment
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
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