Be the technical expert everyone relies on. No firefighting. Just proper, interesting work.
abtec is looking for a Level 3 Senior Engineer who\’ll be the technical backbone of our service delivery.
Not the person fixing printer issues (we have great people for that).
The person who solves the complex stuff, designs the solutions, and makes everyone else better.
What this actually means:
- You\’re the escalation point when something\’s properly tricky.
- You\’re the one sketching out infrastructure designs for new projects.
- You\’re in the room for technical pre-sales conversations.
- And you\’re the person our Level 2s come to when they\’re stuck—not because they\’re incompetent, but because you\’re brilliant.
We work primarily in education (30 years of it), from single schools to multi-academy trusts with 15,000+ users. Crown Commercial frameworks. ISO certified five times over. Proper enterprise-level kit, not basic SMB stuff.
The work:
- Final escalation for complex technical issues
- Solution architecture for infrastructure projects
- Technical pre-sales and design work
- Leading project delivery
- Mentoring junior engineers
- Making our technical standards even better
Tech you\’ll be working with: Azure Architecture, VMware, NetApp and SAN storage, Microsoft 365/Azure stack, Sophos, JAMF/Intune, Ruckus Wireless, VOIP solutions, plus enterprise networking and Windows Server infrastructure.
You\’ll need:
- Deep Microsoft enterprise expertise (Azure, M365, Entra ID)
- Strong infrastructure and networking knowledge
- Solution architecture experience
- Track record delivering significant projects
- Ability to explain technical stuff to non-technical people (CFOs, Heads, etc.)
- Experience mentoring or supporting junior engineers
- Multiple relevant Microsoft certifications
MSP or education sector experience? Helpful but not essential if you\’ve got the right technical depth.
What we offer:
- Salary – £40k-£50k (depends on where you are experience-wise)
- Private medical (BUPA) – pre-existing conditions covered, family add-on available
- Death in service – 2 x salary
- Holidays – 21 days + bank holidays + birthday off + 1 day per year up to 25
- All certifications paid – exams, training, study time in your schedule
- On-Demand learning – Microsoft and all vendor platforms
- Salary increases – tied to certification achievements
- Free parking – Wigan office
- Actual technical challenges – not just keeping lights on
Culture bit:
We\’ve got people who\’ve been here 20+ years. We\’ve had people leave and come back because they missed it.
The team genuinely helps each other. It\’s not corporate nonsense – it\’s just a solid place to work with interesting technical challenges and proper support.
Six months in, you\’ll be:
- The person everyone turns to for the hard stuff.
- Delivered multiple significant projects.
- Trusted in pre-sales conversations.
- Mentoring effectively.
- Contributing strategic input.
- And genuinely enjoying the work.
This role is being managed exclusively by Helen Sanders, our Talent Partner.
Helen\’s approach is different – she\’ll have a proper conversation about your career, not just whether you tick boxes. She stays involved for 12 months to make sure it\’s actually working for everyone. No quick placements, just right ones.
Let\’s talk. Send Helen a direct message on LinkedIn – find her at Helen Sanders, HFBAC.
Note for recruitment agencies: This role is being handled exclusively by our talent partner, Helen Sanders. If you feel you can contribute meaningfully to this search, please reach out to Helen directly via LinkedIn message. We\’re working under a retained partnership arrangement and won\’t be reviewing unsolicited submissions from other agencies.
abtec Managed IT • Wigan • Established 1995 • ISO Certified • Crown Commercial Supplier • Education Sector Specialists • 19 brilliant humans and growing
Senior Information Technology Engineer employer: abtec Managed IT
Contact Detail:
abtec Managed IT Recruiting Team
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Information Technology Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Expertise: Make sure to highlight your deep Microsoft enterprise expertise and solution architecture experience. We want to see how you've tackled complex technical issues in the past, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Tailor Your Application: Read through the job description carefully and tailor your application to match. Use the same language and keywords we’ve used to describe the role. This shows us you understand what we're looking for and that you're genuinely interested.
Be Personable: We’re all about genuine connections here at StudySmarter. When writing your application, let your personality shine through! Share a bit about why you love tech and how you enjoy mentoring others. We want to know the real you.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at abtec Managed IT
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Azure, VMware, and Microsoft 365. Brush up on your solution architecture skills and be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex technical issues in the past.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
Since mentoring junior engineers is part of the role, think of examples where you've successfully guided others. Be prepared to explain your approach to mentoring and how it has positively impacted your team.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
You’ll need to explain technical concepts to non-technical folks, so practice simplifying complex ideas. Think about how you would explain a tricky issue to a CFO or Headteacher without using jargon.
✨Prepare for Pre-Sales Conversations
As you'll be involved in technical pre-sales, consider how you can contribute to these discussions. Familiarise yourself with the company’s services and think about how you can articulate the value of the solutions you design.