Platform Engineer

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people, and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing, and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners including MI6 and GCHQ, to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses, and other organisations on how to keep themselves safe.

A role in MI5 means you'll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

The role involves:

• Designing, developing, and operating platforms that give developers the tools they need to build critical technology.
• Building developer tooling, managed services, and automation, along with self-service solutions.
• Using infrastructure-as-code to ensure consistency and reliability across cloud and on-premises environments.
• Working closely with product teams to understand pain points and shape solutions that improve the developer experience.
• Contributing to the engineering community by sharing best practice standards and establishing clear approaches.
• Troubleshooting platform problems and improving reliability, usability, and observability.
• Supporting other engineers in building confidence and developing their skills.

We know that platform engineering evolves constantly, and the quality of this role depends on keeping pace with it. As a result, there is regular protected time to horizon scan, research emerging trends, and pursue training or certifications relevant to your career.

Salary: £66,332, with an opportunity to qualify for additional allowances and a skills-related payment under the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework (GDDPCF).

Flexible working options are available to support a healthy work-life balance, including part-time arrangements and compressed hours. This role is office-based and does not offer home working.

About you:

• A natural problem solver who enjoys tackling complex challenges.
• Experience as a Platform or DevOps Engineer or from a Software Engineering background.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle in an enterprise or commercial environment.
• Confidence communicating with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfortable working independently with a high level of autonomy.
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language, such as Node.js, Python, or Java.
• Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform.

Training and development:

We’re committed to developing our engineers, with a clear career structure designed to enable progression and continuous growth. A dedicated development budget and personal development days are provided, alongside access to a wide range of courses, online platforms, qualifications, and certifications.

Rewards and benefits:

• 25 days of annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service.
• 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
• An interest-free season ticket loan.
• A cycle to work scheme.
• Facilities such as a subsidised gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars.
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal opportunities:

At MI5, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are underrepresented in our workforce.