At a Glance
- Tasks: Engineer and improve Linux platforms for high-speed broadband connectivity.
- Company: Join AllPoints Fibre Networks, transforming UK connectivity with innovative technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, private medical cover, and a strong focus on development.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with a commitment to learning and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national infrastructure while mentoring and leading engineering practices.
- Qualifications: Hands-on Linux expertise, automation skills, and strong problem-solving abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Build the systems that power connectivity at national scale. At AllPoints Fibre Networks (APFN), we’re transforming how the UK connects. As a full‑fibre network wholesaler, we make high‑speed broadband simple, scalable and accessible through our API‑driven platform, Aquila. We’re looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Platforms Engineering team, playing a key role in the design, operation and continuous improvement of our Linux platforms, virtualised infrastructure, and hybrid cloud integrations. This is a hands‑on senior role focused on engineering reliable systems, solving complex problems, and supporting the evolution of our infrastructure, while mentoring others and contributing to strong engineering practices.
What you’ll be doing
- Systems & Platform Engineering
- Engineer, operate and improve Linux-based platforms supporting internal services and ISP-facing systems.
- Own and support our Proxmox virtualisation environment, with VMware as a legacy footprint.
- Build and maintain highly available, resilient infrastructure with a focus on performance and stability.
- Troubleshoot complex system issues across compute, storage and networking layers.
- Support and enhance shared lab environments to enable testing, development and consistent builds.
- Hybrid Infrastructure & Integration
- Build and maintain secure connectivity between on-prem systems and AWS.
- Support AWS services including networking, identity and service integration.
- Ensure monitoring, alerting and visibility across hybrid infrastructure.
- Assist with service transitions, operational readiness and capacity planning.
- Automation & Operational Excellence
- Develop and deliver automation using Python, Terraform and Ansible.
- Improve system reliability and consistency through Infrastructure as Code and repeatable processes.
- Maintain and enhance monitoring using Prometheus, Grafana, Zabbix, LibreNMS, ELK and Graylog.
- Ensure backup, recovery and resilience processes are implemented and regularly tested.
- Promote strong standards across documentation, build quality and operational practices.
- Technical Ownership & Leadership
- Act as a senior escalation point for complex technical issues.
- Take ownership of problems through to resolution, driving root cause analysis and improvements.
- Mentor and support engineers, particularly across Linux, automation and systems troubleshooting.
- Contribute to technical design discussions and platform improvements.
- Produce clear documentation (HLDs/LLDs) and share knowledge across teams.
- On-call & Reliability
- Participate in an on-call rota, supporting incident response and service recovery.
- Focus on preventative engineering and continuous improvement following incidents.
What you’ll bring
- Essential experience
- Strong, hands‑on expertise in Linux system administration and troubleshooting.
- Experience with Proxmox, KVM/QEMU or similar virtualisation technologies.
- Proven ability to diagnose and resolve complex infrastructure issues.
- Experience with automation and scripting (Python preferred).
- Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) and configuration management (Ansible).
- Solid understanding of networking fundamentals and system integration.
- Experience supporting monitoring and observability platforms.
- Ability to take ownership and operate effectively in a senior engineering capacity.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to document and explain technical solutions.
- Nice to have
- AWS experience (VPCs, IAM, hybrid connectivity, high availability design).
- Experience with ISP-related systems (e.g. Kea DHCP, FreeRADIUS, MariaDB, ELK, LibreNMS).
- Knowledge of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF).
- Experience with hybrid networking (VPNs, Direct Connect).
- Exposure to lab or test environment design.
- Relevant certifications (AWS, Linux, networking, automation).
- Familiarity with XGS‑PON technologies.
Why join APFN?
We believe great engineering starts with well‑supported people. Our benefits include:
- 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays).
- Private medical & dental cover.
- Income protection & life insurance.
- Health and wellbeing support.
- Pension and additional benefits.
- A strong commitment to learning, development and inclusion.
About us
At APFN, we’re curious, ambitious and delivery-focused. We move fast, support each other, and take pride in building reliable systems that make connectivity simpler for our partners. If you want to work on meaningful infrastructure at scale — we’d love to hear from you.
Senior Systems Engineer in Reading employer: AllPoints Fibre
At AllPoints Fibre Networks, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values innovation and collaboration. Our supportive work culture fosters continuous learning and development, offering employees the chance to grow their skills while working on impactful projects in a dynamic environment. With competitive benefits such as generous annual leave, private medical cover, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, APFN is dedicated to creating a fulfilling workplace for all team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Systems Engineer in Reading
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like AllPoints Fibre!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Senior Systems Engineer position at AllPoints Fibre, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when AllPoints Fibre is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Senior Systems Engineer role at AllPoints Fibre!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Systems Engineer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to AllPoints Fibre and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at AllPoints Fibre
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to AllPoints Fibre.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at AllPoints Fibre, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
