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- Tasks: Manage user accounts and ensure secure access to sensitive systems.
- Company: Join GCHQ, a leading intelligence and security agency in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your tech skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with Windows/Linux infrastructure and Active Directory is essential.
- Other info: Structured training and career progression opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 36408 - 40408 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Associate Infrastructure Engineer (Identity Access Management) role at Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. Base pay range £36,408, including a concessionary payment of £2,658. You may also qualify for a skills payment ranging from £4,513 to £9,812 and a recruitment bonus of £2,000, both dependent on technical ability and successful assessment during the interview process.
About us: GCHQ is an intelligence cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting‑edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber‑attacks, and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that emphasises teamwork.
The role: As an Associate Infrastructure Engineer, you’ll play a vital role in keeping the UK safe by ensuring secure access to sensitive systems. Your work will help guarantee that the right people have the right access at the right time, supporting both our organisation and colleagues across our organisation as well as trusted partners in the UK and around the world. In this role, you’ll be actively involved in managing user accounts, resolving access and certificate issues, and monitoring platform health to maintain compliance and reliability. Collaboration with internal teams is key, as you work to understand access requirements and deliver effective solutions, while also contributing to strategic improvements in how identity services are delivered. You will not be expected to take on complex work immediately; the initial focus will be on learning and building situational knowledge across multiple platforms. There will be a requirement to travel to Cheltenham and London on occasion, with limited opportunities for international travel.
Your responsibilities will include supporting day‑to‑day identity operations, such as incident resolution and service requests. You’ll also contribute to product development and roadmap planning for identity services, and work with internal and external stakeholders to improve access management across multiple systems. You’ll also share knowledge and deliver training to help others adopt and maintain secure access practices.
About you: We’re looking for individuals with an infrastructure background and a passion for identity and access management. You should have practical experience with Windows or Linux infrastructure and essential skills in Active Directory. Familiarity with Oracle Identity and Access Management (IDAM) is desirable. You’ll need a solid foundation of practical IT experience, gained through real‑world work in infrastructure or support environments, with enough exposure to confidently apply your skills in this role. Success in this role requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills alongside technical ability. Clear written communication for documentation, the ability to explain technical concepts to stakeholders, and effective relationship‑building across user communities are essential. A collaborative mindset and a proactive learning approach will further support your success.
Flexible working: This role is based on full‑time hours (37 hours per week) with flexibility around start and finish times within core working hours. While our preference is for full‑time working, in exceptional circumstances we may consider part‑time arrangements, subject to business needs. We also offer hybrid working, which includes some remote working, typically one day per week from home with the remainder in the office. This arrangement may vary depending on operational requirements.
Learning and development: From day one, you’ll be supported by a structured induction and a tailored development plan designed to help you grow into the role. Whether you’re new to identity and access management or looking to build on existing expertise, your training will combine practical experience with access to formal learning and mentoring.
- Technical Delivery: managing end‑to‑end delivery of cloud platforms and ERP systems, driving digital transformation and operational efficiency
- Product Development: contributing to the roadmap and lifecycle of IDAM services
- Collaboration: engaging with internal teams and external partners across the UK Intelligence Community
- Certification: pursuing qualifications from Microsoft, Linux, CyberArk and more
You’ll learn alongside experienced colleagues and have access to workshops, peer‑led sessions and internal conferences. As your confidence grows, you’ll take on more responsibility and begin shaping the future of identity services. Progression from this role to Infrastructure Engineer typically follows a structured path, with opportunities to broaden your product exposure and deepen your subject matter expertise.
Some of our benefits: You will enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, alongside 8 bank holidays and 2.5 additional leave days (set dates through the year). We also offer a competitive pension, with employer contributions of at least 28.97%, an interest‑free season ticket loan, and much more.
Associate Infrastructure Engineer (Identitiy Access Management) in Manchester employer: Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
Contact Detail:
Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Infrastructure Engineer (Identitiy Access Management) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at GCHQ, MI5, or MI6 on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure we can confidently discuss Active Directory and any relevant infrastructure experience. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms – it’ll impress the interviewers!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off our collaborative spirit! Be ready to share examples of how we’ve worked with teams in the past. Highlighting our teamwork skills will resonate well with the role’s emphasis on collaboration.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our progress and stay updated on any new opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Infrastructure Engineer (Identitiy Access Management) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate Infrastructure Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Windows or Linux infrastructure and any relevant skills in Active Directory. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at GCHQ!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role requires clear written communication, don’t forget to demonstrate your ability to explain technical concepts simply. Use examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully communicated with stakeholders or trained others.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application! We value a collaborative mindset and a proactive learning approach, so share your passion for identity and access management and how you’ve embraced teamwork in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of identity and access management, especially around Active Directory and any experience you have with Windows or Linux infrastructure. Being able to discuss your practical experience confidently will show that you're ready for the role.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with internal teams and external partners, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you’ve built relationships to achieve common goals.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to describe a complex issue or solution, so being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. Think about how you would explain your work to someone without a technical background.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand how you can contribute to the organisation's mission of keeping the UK safe.