At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Riverlane's IT strategy, ensuring top-notch infrastructure for cutting-edge research.
- Company: Join a pioneering tech company at the forefront of quantum computing and HPC.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a chance to work alongside leading scientists and engineers.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of technology and innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven IT leadership experience with strong technical skills in cloud and HPC environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Requirements
- Proven experience in a senior IT leadership role, ideally within a technology-driven, engineering or research-intensive organisation
- Strong hands-on technical background in Linux systems administration, networking, and cloud/on-prem infrastructure
- Demonstrable experience managing or supporting HPC environments, including job scheduling systems, storage architectures (e.g. GPFS, Lustre, NFS), and cluster management
- Experience owning DevOps tooling and practices: CI/CD, containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes), infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible), and version control systems
- Solid understanding of information security principles and experience implementing or managing security frameworks
- Excellent stakeholder management skills – comfortable engaging with scientists, engineers, executives, and external vendors alike
- A proactive, ownership-oriented mindset with the ability to both set strategy and roll up your sleeves
- (Desirable) Experience working in a quantum computing, semiconductor, HPC centre, or national laboratory environment
- (Desirable) Familiarity with FPGA-based systems or real-time processing infrastructure
- (Desirable) Experience scaling IT operations in a high-growth startup or scale-up
- (Desirable) Knowledge of relevant compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, Cyber Essentials Plus)
- (Desirable) Experience with GPU cluster management or similar specialist compute environments
What the job involves
As Head of IT, you will own and lead everything that keeps Riverlane's technology estate running — from corporate IT operations to the development and management of our on-premises high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role that sits at the intersection of enterprise IT and deep technical infrastructure, making it uniquely exciting for someone who thrives in fast-moving, engineering-led organisations.
You will be Riverlane's most senior IT leader, setting strategy, owning delivery, and working closely with engineering, operations, security, and finance stakeholders to ensure our infrastructure is world-class, secure, and ready to scale.
- Own and evolve the company-wide IT strategy, policies, and roadmap, ensuring alignment with Riverlane's growth trajectory and security requirements
- Manage and continuously improve all corporate IT systems, including endpoint management, identity and access management (IAM), collaboration tools, SaaS platforms, and networking
- Lead IT procurement, vendor management, and licence optimisation across all tools and platforms
- Ensure robust IT support processes are in place, maintaining high availability and responsiveness for a technically demanding workforce of scientists and engineers
- Own and develop Riverlane's information security posture, including policies, risk management, access controls, and compliance with relevant standards (e.g. ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials)
- Lead the IT aspects of any audits, due diligence processes, or regulatory requirements
- Manage and mentor any IT support staff, building out the team as the company grows
- Take ownership of Riverlane's on-premises high-performance computer, serving as the primary technical authority for its architecture, performance, reliability, and availability
- Lead the DevOps strategy for the HPC environment, including CI/CD pipelines, containerisation, workload scheduling (e.g. Slurm, Kubernetes), and infrastructure-as-code practices
- Collaborate closely with quantum scientists and hardware engineers to understand their compute requirements and translate them into robust, scalable infrastructure solutions
- Learn to ensure the HPC environment is optimised for the unique demands of quantum error correction research and development
- Define and enforce best practices around HPC system security, backup, disaster recovery, and capacity planning
- Evaluate and integrate new technologies to extend the HPC capability as Riverlane's research scales toward MegaQuOp and beyond
- Act as the bridge between the engineering/science teams and the IT function, translating complex research infrastructure requirements into well-managed, reliable systems
Head of IT in Cambridge employer: Deepstreamtech
Riverlane is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a significant impact in the technology and research sectors. With a strong focus on employee growth, we foster a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and hands-on leadership, particularly in our cutting-edge high-performance computing environment. Located in a vibrant tech hub, we offer competitive benefits and the unique opportunity to work alongside leading scientists and engineers, ensuring that your contributions are both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, meetups, or even online webinars related to IT and HPC. Engaging with professionals in your field can lead to valuable connections and potential job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving DevOps tools or HPC environments. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on both technical and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Linux systems, cloud infrastructure, and stakeholder management. We want to see how you can fit into our team!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Riverlane.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your proven experience in senior IT leadership roles. We want to see how you've thrived in tech-driven environments, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Get Technical:Don’t forget to showcase your hands-on technical skills! Whether it’s Linux systems, cloud infrastructure, or HPC environments, we’re keen to know how you’ve managed and supported these areas.
Stakeholder Engagement is Key:We love a candidate who can engage with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you’ve successfully communicated with scientists, engineers, and executives to show us you can bridge the gap between IT and research.
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to join our exciting journey at Riverlane.
How to prepare for a job interview at Deepstreamtech
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially in Linux systems, networking, and cloud infrastructure. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with HPC environments and DevOps practices like CI/CD and containerisation. The more specific examples you can provide, the better!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a senior IT leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership approach. Prepare to share how you've managed teams, engaged with stakeholders, and driven IT strategy in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you've had to roll up your sleeves and get involved in the nitty-gritty.
✨Understand the Company’s Needs
Research Riverlane and its unique challenges, especially in quantum computing and HPC. Be prepared to discuss how your background aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their growth trajectory. Tailoring your answers to their specific needs will show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past challenges you've faced in IT management or security compliance and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
