Systems Integration Engineer

Location: Any Campus

Salary: £42,136 to £44,699 per annum

Post Type: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Monday 11 May 2026

Reference: 0935-25

About Education Partnership North East (EPNE)

At EPNE our ‘purpose’ is our north star. It is what we expect of ourselves every single day and why we ask all staff to keep our purpose front and centre in all that they do. Our Purpose is to “unlock potential, create opportunities, and transform lives through outstanding education, skills and training”.

We nurture our very special culture. Our unifying values framework “The actions we take the choices we make - The actions I take the choices I make” represents the character of our college group, and are grounded in the belief that every action, by every individual, contributes to our success. This is why we encourage empowered individuals, personal accountability and growth.

About The Candidate

You’re a proactive, solutions‑driven individual who enjoys solving complex problems and working collaboratively with others. The ideal candidate will communicate openly and thoughtfully, approach challenges with confidence, and champion continuous improvement across our digital systems. You’ll thrive in an inclusive, supportive environment where ideas are welcomed, and continuous improvement is encouraged.

You will help drive our digital transformation, challenging the status quo and seeking innovative ways to strengthen system reliability, security, and performance across the organisation. Your technical curiosity, resilience, and willingness to learn will allow you to introduce improvements, influence best practice, and contribute meaningfully to the college’s mission to deliver excellence for learners and communities.

About The Role

You’ll be at the heart of maintaining and developing the college’s business‑critical system integrations and SQL database functions, ensuring the ongoing enhancement of system performance, automation, and security across the college landscape.

Working closely with internal teams and third-party suppliers, you’ll help improve automation, enhance system performance, and support secure data flows across the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity to broaden your systems engineering experience while contributing directly to a modern, resilient digital infrastructure.

We’re committed to learning and development. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on exposure to:

• Cloud platforms and API‑driven integrations
• Cyber security practices and secure system design
• Automation technologies and modern tooling
• Advanced Microsoft SQL administration and optimisation

Role Responsibilities

• Maintain, optimise, and secure business‑critical integrations and SQL databases, including performance tuning and patching.
• Support and troubleshoot API, automation, and file‑based integrations, to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and reliability.
• Monitor systems and respond to incidents, contributing to root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Create clear, robust documentation for integrations, data flows, and operational processes.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external providers to implement improvements and support technical change.

Qualifications

• Microsoft‑aligned or database‑focused certification (or willingness to work towards one) or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuous professional development in IT, systems engineering, or cyber security.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Hands‑on experience with system integrations, APIs, or data exchange processes.
• Strong Microsoft SQL administration skills, including troubleshooting and performance optimisation.
• A solid understanding of secure system management and cyber security best practice.
• A logical, methodical approach to investigating complex technical issues.
• Clear communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced environment with the ability to prioritise independently.

Desirable Skills & Experience – (Optional)

• Familiarity with automation platforms or modern scripting tools.
• Exposure to enterprise‑scale integrations or digital transformation projects.
• Knowledge of vulnerability management or advanced cyber security principles.

What’s in it for you?

Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays.
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role).
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme, (dependent on role 15.7% - 28.68%).
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.
• Free Gym access available at Bede Campus.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.

We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.