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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and optimise systems, servers, and applications for a community-driven broadband organisation.
- Company: B4RN, a unique Community Benefit Society focused on rural broadband innovation.
- Benefits: Full-time role with flexible hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real difference in rural communities with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience with Linux, SQL/NoSQL databases, and a strong team ethic required.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with mentoring opportunities and a commitment to continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Ā£ per year.
Location: Based in Melling, Lancashire
Contract: Full Time, 35 hours per week
About Us
B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North) is a unique organisation working closely with communities across the UK to bring hyperfast, fullāfibre broadband to rural areas. As a Community Benefit Society, driven by innovation and a strong sense of purpose, we work handāināhand with local volunteers and stakeholders to deliver a service that's built by the community, for the community. Joining B4RN means becoming part of a dedicated team making a real difference in people's lives, while thriving in a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone's contribution matters.
The Role
Are you an experienced systems engineer with a passion for building secure, scalable and reliable infrastructure? Do you enjoy solving complex problems, improving systems, and supporting teams with the tools they need to succeed? If so, we would love to hear from you.
We're looking for a Senior Systems & Application Engineer to help maintain and optimise our systems, servers and businessācritical applications. Working closely with Network Operations, DevOps and Software teams, you'll play a key role in delivering robust services that keep our organisation running smoothly.
What you'll be doing
- Systems & Infrastructure Management
- Managing deployment, maintenance and performance of server and system infrastructure across both hardware and openāsource software.
- Monitoring system performance, resolving issues and driving long-term stability and scalability.
- Designing and developing new systems and services in collaboration with colleagues across the business.
- Creating and maintaining clear operational documentation.
- Planning and executing regular patching and maintenance activities to mitigate security risks.
- Acting as a product champion for key business applications, offering support, training and documentation.
- Administering a range of database technologies, including MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB and Redis.
- Overseeing monitoring and alerting systems to ensure high application availability.
- Supporting deployments and upgrades with thorough checks, backups and rollback planning.
- Working closely with Network Operations or infrastructure, security, and best practice (including CVE monitoring).
- Helping develop automation tools to remove repetitive manual tasks.
- Partnering with DevOps and Software teams to deliver secure, reliable deployments.
- Participating in a 24/7 onācall rota, responding to critical alerts and providing thirdāline escalation support.
- Assisting Network Operations, Helpdesk and field engineers to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
- Providing occasional onāsite support when required.
- Supporting junior team members through mentoring and project involvement.
- Contributing to internal tools for monitoring, automation and reporting.
- Promoting high standards of documentation, process and continuous improvement.
What we're looking for
We are looking for someone with a genuine interest in developing technical skills, who is comfortable using basic computer programmes and holds a full, valid driving licence. The role requires flexibility to occasionally work unsociable hours or travel away from home, and to take part in an onācall rota for critical network issues once you are competent. You should also have a strong team ethic and be willing to support your colleagues.
What you will get from us
- Willingness to take part in a 24/7 onācall rota
- Full UK Driving licence
- Strong experience with Linux OS (e.g. Debian, RedHat) and scripting
- Proficiency with SQL and NoSQL databases
- Familiarity with Git and modern sourceācontrol practices.
- Comfortable working with a wide range of openāsource tools and technologies
- Ability to manage regular system patching and automate processes where possible.
- Excellent analytical and problemāsolving skills with strong attention to detail.
- Confident working independently and collaborating across technical teams.
- Project management experience or qualification would be an advantage.
If you wish to apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to the Recruitment Team, B4RN, Station Yard, Melling, LA6 2QY, or email to recruitment@b4rn.org.uk.
Senior Systems & Application Engineer employer: B4rn
Contact Detail:
B4rn Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Senior Systems & Application Engineer
āØTip Number 1
Network, network, network! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at B4RN. A friendly chat can go a long way in making you stand out when it comes to interviews.
āØTip Number 2
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your systems and application knowledge. Dive into Linux, SQL, and NoSQL databases, and be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills with real-world examples.
āØTip Number 3
Show your passion for community-driven projects like B4RN. Share your thoughts on how technology can improve rural connectivity and demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
āØTip Number 4
Donāt forget to apply through our website! Itās the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Systems & Application Engineer
Some tips for your application š«”
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Senior Systems & Application Engineer role. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at B4RN, so donāt be shy about showcasing your achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why youāre the perfect fit for our team. Share your passion for building secure and scalable systems, and how you can contribute to our community-focused mission. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, highlight specific examples where you've tackled complex problems or improved systems. We love seeing how you approach challenges, especially in a collaborative environment like ours!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. Itās the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures youāre considered for the role. Plus, it shows youāre keen on joining our community-driven team!
How to prepare for a job interview at B4rn
āØKnow Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Linux OS, SQL, and NoSQL databases. Be ready to discuss your experience with these technologies in detail, as well as any open-source tools you've worked with. This will show that you're not just familiar with the tech but can also apply it effectively.
āØShowcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex problems you've solved in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you improved system performance or resolved critical issues. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to think on your feet, which is crucial for a Senior Systems & Application Engineer.
āØEmphasise Team Collaboration
B4RN values teamwork, so be ready to talk about how you've collaborated with other teams, like DevOps or Network Operations. Share experiences where you supported colleagues or mentored junior team members, highlighting your strong team ethic and willingness to contribute to a positive work environment.
āØPrepare Questions About the Role
Have a few thoughtful questions prepared about the role and the company. Ask about their approach to system stability and scalability, or how they handle on-call support. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if B4RN is the right fit for you.
