At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver Azure-based solutions while deploying and improving Kubernetes platforms.
- Company: Join a fast-growing consultancy making a real impact in the public sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, performance bonuses, and standard company benefits.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience and grow into a Solution Architect role with meaningful projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in Azure, Kubernetes, and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for career progression and client engagement.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Opportunity - Azure Solutions Engineer – Kubernetes & AKS (Pathway to Solutions Architect)
Location & Travel: Remote within the UK - Very occasional travel to client site (typically once a month at most - travel expenses fully covered).
We’re partnering with a boutique data analytics and technology consultancy with a strong and growing footprint across UK Central Government / Public Sector. Following sustained organic growth and increasing demand from major government departments, the consultancy is expanding its consulting team and seeking Azure-focused engineers with real Kubernetes experience who want to move further into consulting, solution design, and architecture.
We are open to candidates at different stages of their career: from Junior/mid Level Engineers ready to step into consulting, through to experienced Senior Consultants who can lead solution design and client conversations from day one. This is not just a sys admin type of role and not a pure platform support position. It’s a delivery-focused consulting role, working closely with clients to design and implement secure, scalable, cloud-native solutions, with a clear pathway to grow into an Azure & Kubernetes Solution Architect.
Why Join Us?
- Join a small, fast-growing consultancy where your contribution genuinely matters
- Work on long-term, meaningful programmes, including national-scale public sector projects
- Be supported in your progression toward Azure & Kubernetes Solution Architecture
- Balance hands-on engineering with design, consulting, and technical leadership
- Avoid rigid role definitions, your responsibilities will grow with your capability
What You’ll Be Doing
Depending on your experience, you’ll be involved in:
- Designing and delivering Azure-based data and platform solutions
- Deploying, operating, and improving Kubernetes platforms (AKS) in real production environments
- Building and supporting modern, containerised workloads
- Contributing to solution design and architectural decisions, with increasing ownership as you grow
- Working across multiple client projects, adapting to different technical and business contexts
- Engaging directly with technical and non-technical stakeholders, understanding requirements and shaping solutions
- Writing clear, high-quality technical documentation and design artefacts
- Keeping up to date with emerging technologies and best practices in cloud, data, and DevOps
Who This Role Is For
This role could suit you if:
- You’re a Junior / Mid Level Engineer looking to move into consulting and gain exposure to solution design and architecture
- You’re an experienced Consultant or Senior who enjoys hands-on delivery but also leading technical direction
- You have practical Kubernetes experience and want to apply it in varied, meaningful client environments
- You want to move toward a Solution Architect role, rather than staying purely operational
- You enjoy variety, ownership, and working closely with clients rather than being embedded in a single internal team
Essential Skills & Experience
- Continuously lived in the UK for 5+ years without sponsorship or visa, and eligible to obtain Government Security Clearance (SC) - MANDATORY REQUIREMENT.
- Commercial experience in data engineering, cloud engineering, or platform engineering
- Strong experience with Microsoft Azure
- Hands-on Kubernetes experience (ideally AKS, but equivalent experience considered)
- Experience working with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines
- Coding experience (e.g. Python, SQL, R, SAS, or similar)
- Experience working in secure or highly regulated environments
- Ability to work independently, take ownership, and use your initiative
- A numerate or technical degree, NVQ Level 4, or equivalent experience
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Desirable (Nice to Have)
- Experience migrating or modernising legacy platforms
- Exposure to SAS tools and/or SAS administration
- Familiarity with information security standards and controls
- Experience working in Agile delivery environments (Scrum, SAFe, etc.)
- Previous consulting or client-facing experience
Salary & Benefits
Salary range c. £55,000–£65,000, dependent on experience and level
- 12% employer pension contribution
- Up to 15% performance-related bonus
- Shared Company Bonus
- Standard company benefits in addition to above
Azure Solutions Engineer (AKS) in Manchester employer: 55 Exec Search
Contact Detail:
55 Exec Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Azure Solutions Engineer (AKS) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Azure Solutions Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository with your Kubernetes projects. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to Azure and Kubernetes. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Azure Solutions Engineer (AKS) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Azure Solutions Engineer role. Highlight your Kubernetes experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. We love seeing enthusiasm and a clear understanding of the position.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to include specific examples of your technical skills, especially around Azure and Kubernetes. We’re keen to see how you’ve applied these in real-world scenarios, so be detailed!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at 55 Exec Search
✨Know Your Kubernetes Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Kubernetes knowledge, especially AKS. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience and how you've deployed and managed Kubernetes in production environments. Prepare examples of challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand the Consultancy Landscape
Since this role is within a consultancy, it's crucial to understand the consulting environment. Familiarise yourself with how consulting differs from traditional engineering roles. Be prepared to discuss how you can adapt your technical skills to meet client needs and contribute to solution design.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This position involves engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated with clients or team members to ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Ability
Consulting roles often require quick thinking and problem-solving. Prepare to discuss specific scenarios where you've had to think on your feet or come up with innovative solutions. Highlight your ability to take ownership and initiative in challenging situations.