Infrastructure Support Specialist - on site Aldermaston in Reading

LOCATION: Client Site Onsite 5 days per week (occasional WFH), Primary location: Aldermaston

SECURITY CLEARANCE: DV or willing to undergo vetting

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Infrastructure Support Specialist plays a critical role within a high-performance, fast-paced Enterprise IT environment that supports a major public-sector client. The position is responsible for delivering advanced 3rd and 4th line support across a wide range of technologies including Windows Server, Enterprise storage platforms, Hyper-V, VMware, networking, and workstation environments. The role demands a deep technical understanding of On-Premise datacentre operations, as well as the ability to manage complex infrastructure estates with a focus on stability, resilience, and security.

You will be a key member of the On-Prem Infrastructure Team, providing expert troubleshooting, solution implementation, and performance optimisation across server, storage, and virtualisation layers. Daily duties include performance monitoring, patch management, capacity planning, image deployment, system builds, BAU operational support, and proactive identification of risks and service improvements. Alongside BAU tasks, you will work extensively on a wide variety of projects covering infrastructure upgrades, platform enhancements, obsolescence remediation, data centre improvements, Hyper-V cluster lifecycle activities, and related transformation initiatives.

The role requires an individual who can confidently operate in controlled datacentre environments, managing configuration changes, cabling, hardware replacements, and environmental troubleshooting to ensure maximum service uptime. You will collaborate closely with Networking, Storage, Security, Desktop, and Application teams requiring strong communication skills, the ability to explain technical concepts clearly, and the professionalism to work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers alike.

Candidates should demonstrate the ability to manage multiple workstreams concurrently, respond rapidly to critical incidents, and apply strong analytical skills to diagnose complex infrastructure issues across interconnected systems. The position also demands a proactive mindset anticipating potential failures, contributing to root cause analysis, and driving improvements to prevent recurring issues. Your ability to document infrastructure designs, create operational guides, and support rigorous ITSM practices (Incident, Problem, and Change Management) will be essential to the success of this role.

This is a strategically important position within the wider Enterprise Server Management function, ensuring continuity of critical services and supporting the ongoing evolution of the clients IT capabilities. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, resilient, comfortable working autonomously or as part of a team, and committed to continuous professional development within a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

We are looking for a highly motivated, customer-focused and enthusiastic individual to join the On-Prem Infrastructure team. Responsibilities include delivering excellent 3rd/4th line support across Server, Storage, Networking, and Desktop environments, and managing complex enterprise infrastructure. Duties include Hyper-V administration, troubleshooting, BAU support, project delivery, and collaboration across support teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and support Windows Server, Storage, Hyper-V, Clustering, HCI platforms, backups, and monitoring systems.
• Perform performance monitoring, patching, image deployment, and system optimisation across infrastructure services.
• Troubleshoot issues across servers, storage, virtual machines, authentication paths, and workstations.
• Support enterprise networking across Extreme, Cisco, Dell, and HPE switching, including configuration and fault resolution.
• Assist with Juniper and Palo Alto firewall environments and resolve network connectivity issues.
• Apply core networking principles including VLANs, routing basics, STP, ARP, link aggregation, and network segmentation.
• Maintain DNS, DHCP, and domain communication services across multi-network environments.
• Perform datacentre operations such as cabling, hardware installation, config changes, and proactive health checks.
• Contribute to infrastructure and network projects, upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create and maintain documentation including HLDs, LLDs, build guides, and operational procedures.
• Participate in Incident, Change, and Problem Management processes following ITIL practices.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong experience with Windows Server 2016/2019/2022, including OS installation, configuration, Active Directory fundamentals, Group Policies, DNS, DHCP, DFS, and domain communication paths.
• Proven expertise supporting and administering Hyper-V environments, including cluster management, system builds, virtual networking, and troubleshooting.
• Experience providing planning, installation, configuration, and upgrade support for VMware ESXi and vCenter Server.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise storage solutions, including HPE/Dell arrays and Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct, with experience in performance monitoring, optimisation, and capacity planning.
• Advanced PowerShell scripting capability for automation.
• Experience supporting HCI and converged infrastructure platforms, including Dell/HP systems.
• Proficiency with backup and security solutions such as Symantec NetBackup and Symantec MFA.
• Strong understanding of systems management tools including RDS, WSUS, SCCM, and their deployment/monitoring processes.
• Hands-on experience supporting BAU operational activities across Windows, Storage, Backup, and workstation environments, including troubleshooting, patching, and software upgrades.
• Ability to create and interpret HLDs, LLDs, and Build Guides, ensuring clear documentation of infrastructure solutions.
• Experience working within controlled data centre environments, including system builds, cabling, proactive monitoring, and physical hardware management.
• Strong working knowledge of Extreme, Cisco, Dell, and HPE switching platforms, including configuration, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring.
• Understanding of enterprise firewall concepts with exposure to Juniper and Palo Alto firewall technologies.
• Ability to diagnose complex network issues impacting servers, storage, virtual machines, authentication paths, and workstation connectivity.
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals: VLANs, trunking, routing basics, ARP, STP, link aggregation, segmentation, and multi-network secure architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to support domain-integrated services including DNS, DHCP, and domain structure in secure, multi-tiered environments.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving ability across all infrastructure layers.

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

• Experience with Azure Cloud and/or Oracle Cloud platforms for hybrid infrastructure integration.
• Exposure to VMware technologies including ESXi, vCenter, and virtual networking (beneficial but not essential).
• Knowledge of enterprise storage platforms such as Left-Hand Storage, EMC Networker/Unity, HPe 3PAR, SAN, MSA, and StoreOnce solutions.
• Experience supporting SAN/NAS storage networking, including fibre channel and iSCSI fabrics.
• Industry certifications such as CCNA/CCNP for networking or relevant vendor qualifications (HPE, Dell, Cisco).
• Exposure to Juniper and Palo Alto firewall technologies and understanding of enterprise firewall behaviour and policy structures.
• Familiarity with software-defined networking concepts, segmentation models, and secure multi-network designs.
• Experience working with complex datacentre networking topologies including VLAN design, LACP/link aggregation, spanning-tree management, and multi-layer switching.
• Linux operating system knowledge and administrative capability.
• Experience using monitoring or orchestration tools for network or infrastructure automation (PowerShell, Python, Ansible, or similar).
• Project management experience with the ability to run or contribute to technical workstreams.
• ITIL Foundation certification and exposure to ITIL Transition processes.