At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage user accounts and ensure secure access to sensitive systems.
- Company: Join a leading organisation dedicated to keeping the UK safe.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, competitive pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a diverse, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on security while learning and growing in your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with Windows or Linux infrastructure and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 44142 - 44142 £ per year.
Identity & Access (IAM) Engineer Ref. 3741 London Closing Date - 23:00 on Tuesday 9th June 2026
IT £44,142, including a concessionary payment of £2,758 and £6,250 London weighting. 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.
Flexible working: This role is based on full-time hours (36 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, typically involving one day per week working from home and the remainder in the office. This may vary depending on operational requirements.
The role: As an Identity and Access Management (IAM) 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. Complex work is not expected immediately; the focus is on learning and building situational knowledge across multiple platforms. Day‑to‑day work includes managing user accounts, resolving access and certificate issues, and monitoring platform health to maintain compliance and reliability. Close collaboration with internal teams supports a clear understanding of access requirements, the delivery of effective solutions, and ongoing improvements to how identity services are delivered. Occasional travel to Cheltenham and Manchester is required, 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, working with internal and external stakeholders to improve access management across multiple systems. Sharing knowledge and delivering training on secure access practices is also a key part of the job.
About you: We’re looking for individuals with an infrastructure background and a passion for identity and access management. Practical experience with Windows or Linux infrastructure is essential, alongside core skills in Active Directory. Familiarity with Oracle Identity and Access Management (IAM) is desirable. A solid foundation of applied IT experience, gained in infrastructure or support environments is important, with sufficient exposure to confidently apply these skills in this role. Success in this role requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills alongside technical ability. This includes clear written communication for documentation, the ability to explain technical concepts to stakeholders, and effective relationship‑building across user communities. A collaborative mindset and a proactive approach to learning will further support success.
Learning and development: 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 IAM services. Collaboration: engaging with internal teams and external partners across the UK Intelligence Community. Certification: pursuing qualifications from Microsoft, Linux, CyberArk, and others.
You’ll learn alongside experienced colleagues, with access to workshops, peer‑led sessions and internal conferences. As your confidence grows, greater responsibility is taken on, with opportunities to help shape the future of identity services. Progression from this role to Infrastructure Engineer typically follows a structured pathway, allowing broader product exposure and deeper subject matter expertise.
Some of our benefits: You’ll 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 throughout 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.
Equal opportunities: To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from all individuals, particularly those who are currently under‑represented in our workforce, such as: women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, individuals with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions, those from low socio‑economic backgrounds. This is part of our commitment to building a culture that is welcoming and inclusive of people with different identities, lived experiences, and perspectives, where everyone has the confidence to bring their whole self to work.
IAM Engineer — Hybrid, Learning & Identity Impact employer: GCHQ Careers
As an IAM Engineer with us, you'll be part of a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With flexible working arrangements, competitive benefits including generous annual leave and a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional certification, we empower our team to thrive in their roles while contributing to the safety of the UK. Join us in a collaborative environment where your skills will be valued and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IAM Engineer — Hybrid, Learning & Identity Impact
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current IAM Engineers or professionals in the field on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role like this. You never know who might have an inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your technical skills, especially around Active Directory and IAM concepts. Practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms, as communication is key in this role. We want you to shine when it comes to showcasing your knowledge!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your collaborative spirit! This role involves working closely with various teams, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked with others in the past. Show us that you can build relationships and contribute to a team environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our awesome benefits there. Let’s get you on board with us!
We think you need these skills to ace IAM Engineer — Hybrid, Learning & Identity Impact
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the IAM 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 what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves explaining technical concepts to various stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to showcase your ability to convey complex ideas simply.
Highlight Your Learning Mindset:We value a proactive approach to learning! In your application, mention any relevant training or certifications you've pursued, especially in IAM or related fields. This shows us you're eager to grow and adapt in this dynamic environment.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at GCHQ Careers
✨Know Your IAM Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of Identity and Access Management principles. Be ready to discuss how you would manage user accounts and resolve access issues, as these are key responsibilities in the role.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Make sure to highlight your practical experience with Windows or Linux infrastructure and Active Directory. Prepare examples of past projects where you successfully applied these skills, as this will demonstrate your technical ability to the interviewers.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since exceptional interpersonal skills are crucial for this role, practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. This will help you connect with stakeholders and show that you can effectively communicate within a team.
✨Emphasise Your Learning Mindset
The role focuses on learning and building situational knowledge, so be prepared to discuss how you approach learning new technologies. Share examples of how you've proactively sought out training or development opportunities in the past.
