At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead DevOps initiatives, shaping technical strategies and mentoring engineers.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in innovative technology solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical missions while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Expertise in DevOps, CI/CD, and cloud environments required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Do you want to shape the future of DevOps across the UK’s most critical missions? At Leonardo, our Lead DevOps Engineers (Technical Specialists) are recognised authorities in automation and secure software delivery. They set technical direction, act as subject‑matter experts across programmes, and ensure our DevOps solutions remain robust, secure, and innovative.
Your work at Leonardo UK will see you take the lead in solving customer problems in an agile, innovative and team‑centric manner. The role will involve working full time at the customer’s site.
What You Will Do As a Lead DevOps Engineer
- Act as the technical authority for DevOps across programmes, shaping architectures and guiding technical delivery.
- Define and influence DevOps roadmaps, innovation, and future strategies for automation and secure delivery.
- Lead feasibility studies, technology assessments, and solution recommendations for complex engineering challenges.
- Provide advanced guidance in CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and container orchestration across environments.
- Mentor Principal, Senior, and Early‑career Engineers to raise capability across the DevOps community.
- Represent Leonardo at customer reviews, technical boards, and industry events, presenting and defending solutions.
- Contribute expert input to bids, proposals, and technical strategy.
- Champion secure‑by‑design principles, accreditation alignment, and engineering governance.
What You’ll Bring
- Recognised expertise as a technical authority in DevOps and automation.
- Ability to influence technical strategy and represent Leonardo externally as a subject‑matter expert.
- Strong communication skills to engage with stakeholders from engineers to senior leaders.
Core Areas (must Have)
- Expert knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, automation, and orchestration (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Terraform, Ansible, Helm).
- Strong expertise in containerisation and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift/Tanzu).
- Deep knowledge of cloud environments (AWS, Azure) and hybrid deployments.
- Experience embedding cyber security controls and DevSecOps practices into pipelines and infrastructure.
- Proficiency in scripting and automation (Python, Bash, PowerShell).
- Familiarity with accreditation, assurance, and governance requirements in secure environments.
Desirable
- Recognised expert certifications (e.g. Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, AWS/Azure Architect, HashiCorp Terraform/ Vault).
- Experience influencing organisational DevOps standards and best practices.
- Contributions to research, publications, or professional forums in DevOps/automation.
- Knowledge of service mesh, GitOps, and policy‑as‑code approaches.
- Experience with monitoring/logging and observability platforms (ELK, Prometheus, Splunk).
This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, which could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work‑life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
Primary Location: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Onsite
Lead DevOps Engineer in Bristol employer: hackajob
At Leonardo, we prioritise our employees' growth and wellbeing, making us an exceptional employer for Lead DevOps Engineers. Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to over 4,000 online courses for continuous learning. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, you'll thrive in a supportive work culture that champions diversity and inclusion while working on critical missions across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead DevOps Engineer in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with folks in the industry on LinkedIn, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Lead DevOps Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving CI/CD pipelines and container orchestration. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with automation tools and how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Leonardo.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead DevOps Engineer in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead DevOps Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in CI/CD, automation, and cloud environments to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about DevOps and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your past achievements that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical prowess! Mention your experience with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform, as well as any relevant certifications you have. We love seeing your skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Lead DevOps Engineer, you need to be a technical authority. Brush up on your knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, container orchestration, and cloud environments. Be ready to discuss specific tools like GitHub Actions, Docker, and AWS, and how you've used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of complex engineering challenges you've faced and how you approached them. Highlight your experience with feasibility studies and technology assessments, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead and influence technical strategy.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to engage with stakeholders at all levels. Think about how you can present your ideas clearly and confidently during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Mentoring Experience
Since mentoring is part of the job, be prepared to discuss how you've helped others grow in their roles. Share specific examples of how you've raised capability within teams, and what strategies you used to foster a collaborative environment.
