At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the UK systems administration team for NATO delivery.
- Company: Join Bluestaq, a forward-thinking tech company with a mission-driven culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, private medical cover, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong Linux experience, leadership skills, and a customer-service mindset required.
About Bluestaq Limited
Bluestaq starts with our people. We are looking for teammates who THINK strategically, SERVE the mission and LEAD from wherever they stand. If you bring curiosity, ownership and a thirst for delivery, we would like to hear from you.
The Role
You will establish and lead Bluestaq's UK systems administration capability supporting our NATO delivery. Initially hands-on, you will help recruit and develop the team, implement proven operating practices and own UK service delivery, incident response and structured handovers with our US team. As the capability grows, the role will move towards team and service leadership while retaining technical accountability.
What You Will Do
- Establish and run the UK systems administration capability, including processes, tooling, service controls and escalation paths, using proven Bluestaq practices.
- Recruit, onboard and develop a high-performing team of Linux systems administrators, owning feedback, performance and career development.
- Act as the UK technical authority for systems administration, operational tooling and incident response, remaining hands-on where it matters.
- Own UK operational coverage and structured handovers with the US team, with tested runbooks for uptime, failover and rapid response.
- Maintain security, patching, configuration compliance and audit readiness in partnership with cyber and information technology teams.
- Provide operational support to data providers, data owners, data consumers and internal teams, from access and identity issues through to complex service incidents.
- Represent systems administration in programme reviews and customer discussions, communicating progress, risks and blockers clearly while building a culture of ownership and psychological safety.
What We Are Looking For
Think, Serve, Lead. You will also bring:
- Strong hands-on experience operating Linux systems in complex, secure production environments.
- Experience with cloud or virtualised infrastructure. AWS experience is valuable, but skills from platforms such as VMware vSphere are transferable.
- Working knowledge of operational automation, scripting, monitoring and infrastructure-as-code practices.
- Experience leading, mentoring or providing technical direction to colleagues. Formal line-management experience expected.
- Sound incident-management discipline, including structured handovers, escalation paths, service restoration and clear operational communication.
- A customer-service mindset and the judgement to resolve issues at the service boundary while managing expectations across technical and non-technical teams.
- A builder's mindset: comfortable establishing a capability in an evolving environment while working within an established engineering framework.
Essential Conditions
- Right to work in the UK.
- Ability to meet the security requirements set out above.
- Willingness and eligibility to travel up to approximately 10% of the time, including to Bluestaq headquarters in USA and to sites across the UK and Europe.
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with NATO structures, the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) or other allied defence programmes.
- Experience with Kubernetes or other containerised platforms, DevSecOps, Secure by Design or infrastructure-as-code delivery.
- Experience with database administration or data-platform operations.
- A background in cloud, cyber security or Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance environments.
Why Join Us
- Competitive salary based on qualifications, experience and achievements.
- Competitive pension via salary-sacrifice scheme.
- Group income protection and group life assurance.
- 25 days annual leave plus United Kingdom bank holidays.
- Private medical cover and 24/7 remote general practitioner (GP) access for you and your family.
- Professional subscription support and ongoing development.
- Continuous development is expected, not negotiated.
We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Service leavers and reservists who know watch-keeping, escalation and operating under pressure will find this role speaks their language.
Salary Range (CO): £75,000 GBP - £95,000 GBP
Join the Mission
Bluestaq Limited is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those returning from career breaks, military service-leavers, and those underrepresented in the defence technology sector. We make recruitment decisions based on merit, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Systems Administration Manager (UK) in Lincoln employer: Bluestaq UK
Bluestaq UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides ample opportunities for professional development while ensuring a supportive environment for its team members. Located in the UK, employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and comprehensive private medical cover, making it a rewarding place to build a career in engineering management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Administration Manager (UK) in Lincoln
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Bluestaq UK values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Bluestaq UK might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Bluestaq UK!
✨Direct Apply to Bluestaq UK
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Bluestaq UK website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Administration Manager (UK) in Lincoln
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Bluestaq UK.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Bluestaq UK. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bluestaq UK
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
