At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable DevOps solutions for cloud and hybrid environments.
- Company: Fast-scaling defence technology consultancy with a start-up culture.
- Benefits: Salary up to £140,000, bonuses, flexible working, and career progression.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team solving complex problems with modern engineering practices.
- Why this job: Shape the future of platform engineering in critical national programmes.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software or DevOps engineering with strong technical leadership.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 140000 £ per year.
Location: UK Wide (Newcastle Preferred)
Salary: £100,000 - £140,000
Join a fast-scaling defence technology consultancy combining start-up engineering culture with strong financial backing, building secure, modern platform capabilities for critical national programmes.
About the Role
Our client is a high-growth technology consultancy operating with start-up speed, autonomy, and engineering intensity, supported by significant financial backing that enables long-term investment in platform engineering capability. Within its expanding Defence practice, the organisation is building a Principal-level DevOps capability to support the delivery of secure, scalable, cloud-native and hybrid systems across mission-critical environments. This role sits at the centre of modern platform engineering, bridging software development, infrastructure, security, and operations. The focus is on building robust delivery pipelines, scalable infrastructure, and highly automated environments that support continuous delivery of complex systems used in defence and national security contexts. You will take ownership of technical strategy across DevOps tooling, platform architecture, and automation, while also providing leadership across engineering teams and delivery programmes.
What You'll Be Doing
- Designing and building scalable DevOps and platform engineering solutions across cloud and hybrid environments.
- Developing and scripting in Python, PowerShell, C#, Java, or C++ to support automation and platform tooling.
- Implementing Infrastructure as Code using tools such as Terraform, Packer, or Ansible.
- Building and maintaining containerised environments using Docker and Kubernetes.
- Designing and optimising CI/CD pipelines using tools such as Jenkins, TeamCity, GitHub Actions, or equivalents.
- Managing artifact repositories and code quality tools such as Artifactory and SonarQube.
- Implementing monitoring, logging, and observability solutions using ELK stack, Grafana, or equivalent platforms.
- Working across AWS, Azure, or GCP environments to deliver scalable infrastructure solutions.
- Supporting Windows and Linux system administration, including VMware vSphere and SAN-based infrastructure.
- Managing database environments, including Microsoft SQL Server or equivalent technologies.
- Working with Atlassian tooling to support delivery workflows and engineering collaboration.
- Implementing job scheduling and orchestration tools such as Control-M.
- Embedding security best practices, including secrets management, vulnerability scanning, and secure-by-design principles.
Ideal Background
We are looking for experienced platform and DevOps engineers with strong hands-on capability and proven technical leadership experience. You should bring:
- 10+ years of experience in software engineering, DevOps, or platform engineering roles.
- Strong experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines in complex environments.
- Deep understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
- Strong Infrastructure as Code experience using Terraform, Ansible, or Packer.
- Experience with containerisation and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Strong scripting and development capability in at least one core language (Python, PowerShell, C#, Java, or C++).
- Experience with monitoring, logging, and observability tooling.
- Understanding of secure infrastructure design and DevSecOps principles.
- Experience working in complex enterprise or regulated environments.
What You'll Receive
- Salary between £100,000 and £140,000 + bonus
- Opportunity to join a rapidly scaling defence consultancy with strong financial backing and start-up engineering culture.
- High ownership role shaping platform engineering standards across defence programmes.
- Exposure to modern cloud-native and hybrid infrastructure at scale.
- Significant technical influence across tooling, architecture, and delivery pipelines.
- Flexible UK-wide working arrangements, with Newcastle as the preferred hub.
- Clear progression into broader platform and engineering leadership roles as the business expands.
Who Should Apply
This role is suited to Principal DevOps Engineers, Platform Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers, Cloud Infrastructure Engineers, and Senior DevOps Leads with strong experience in building and operating modern delivery platforms. The organisation is actively hiring high-calibre engineering talent across the UK, with a focus on individuals who can operate in high-ownership environments and help shape engineering culture at scale. The team is based in Newcastle, with strong interest in candidates from Manchester, the South West, and other UK regions as additional hubs are developed.
About the Environment
This is a defence-focused engineering organisation operating at the intersection of consultancy and product delivery. The environment is fast-moving, highly technical, and focused on solving complex problems with modern engineering practices. It combines the agility of a start-up with the backing and stability required to deliver at national scale.
Principal DevOps Engineer in England employer: ANSON MCCADE
Join a dynamic and rapidly growing defence technology consultancy that offers an exceptional work environment characterised by a start-up culture and strong financial support. As a Principal DevOps Engineer, you will enjoy significant ownership of technical strategy while working on cutting-edge cloud-native solutions in a flexible UK-wide setting, with Newcastle as the preferred hub. The company prioritises employee growth through clear progression paths and fosters a collaborative atmosphere where your expertise will directly influence the future of platform engineering in national security contexts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal DevOps Engineer in England
✨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 Principal DevOps Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, and containerisation. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with cloud platforms, automation tools, and security best practices. Practice common interview questions to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can thrive in a fast-paced environment. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal DevOps Engineer in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal DevOps Engineer role. Highlight your experience with CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, and Infrastructure as Code to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about DevOps and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our fast-scaling defence consultancy.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Include specific examples of projects where you've implemented automation, built scalable infrastructure, or used tools like Terraform and Docker.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our growing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ANSON MCCADE
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Terraform, Docker, and CI/CD tools. Brush up on your scripting skills in Python or PowerShell, as you'll likely be asked to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves technical leadership, prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you guided your team to success, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Understand the Defence Context
Familiarise yourself with the defence sector and the importance of secure, scalable systems. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the mission-critical nature of the work and how you can contribute to national security initiatives.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Have insightful questions ready for your interviewers that show your interest in the company’s culture and future projects. Ask about their approach to DevSecOps or how they handle continuous delivery in complex environments to demonstrate your engagement and understanding of the role.
