At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and improve development tools while supporting software and hardware teams.
- Company: Join Ensera, a global tech leader with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, training opportunities, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and team events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in IT and software development while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development or IT support, with strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an IT Software Development Administrator to join our team in the Bristol Design & Product Development (D&PD) office, part of the Ensera Group. In this role you’ll report directly to, and work alongside, the Head of IT to provide ongoing IT support to the Ensera Design business, with a particular focus on supporting software and hardware development teams. You’ll take ownership of the development toolset and environments, ensuring they are secure, efficient, and fit for purpose, while also contributing to wider group IT projects as needed. Occasional travel to other Ensera locations, including Ireland, Poland, and the USA, may be required and some projects could involve evening or weekend work.
This role sits at the intersection of IT operations and software development, so you’ll be comfortable working across both areas. You’ll take ownership of systems and environments rather than simply maintaining them, working closely with development teams to understand their needs and improve how they operate. You’re proactive and methodical, able to identify inefficiencies and implement practical improvements to tooling, workflows, and environments. You communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical colleagues and are confident explaining systems, processes, and decisions when needed, including during audits or reviews. You can balance day‑to‑day IT support with longer‑term development environment improvements, maintaining a structured and organised approach with strong attention to detail, particularly in documentation and security.
Essential skills and experience
- Software development (commercial or personal projects), or IT support within a software or engineering environment
- Working knowledge of the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
- Administering or supporting development tools such as JIRA, Git, Bitbucket, Confluence, or CI/CD systems
- Familiarity with Linux environments and command line usage
- Experience supporting on‑premises hardware, servers, and services
- Skilled in diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, and connectivity issues, with expertise in Windows and Microsoft 365
- Understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and VPNs for network troubleshooting and maintenance
- Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills across hardware, software, and development environments
- Experience working collaboratively with technical teams to improve workflows and systems
- Ability to take ownership of systems and drive continuous improvement
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly
Beneficial skills and experience
- Atlassian suite (Bitbucket, JIRA, Confluence)
- Embedded development tools such as IAR Embedded Workbench or Altium Designer
- Version control systems (Git)
- Scripting or automation (e.g. Bash, Python)
- Supporting audits or working in regulated environments
- Familiarity with security standards or frameworks (e.g. ISO 27001, IEC 81001, Cyber Essentials)
- Experience improving or redesigning development environments or toolchains
Key responsibilities
- Development Tool Administration
- Own and administer core development platforms
- Manage access, permissions, and configurations
- Ensure availability, performance, and reliability of tools
- Drive improvements, upgrades, and integrations
- Maintain and support Linux‑based development environments
- Support build environments, automation pipelines, and version control workflows
- Work with developers to standardise and improve environments
- Software Development Lifecycle Support
- Support the full SDLC from requirements through to deployment
- Improve workflows, traceability, and collaboration through tooling
- Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and automation practices
- Cybersecurity, Compliance and Documentation
- Ensure systems are secure, patched, and aligned with internal policies
- Implement access controls and secure configurations
- Identify and remediate risks within development environments
- Maintain clear and detailed documentation
- Act as a point of contact during audits
- IT Support
- Provide day‑to‑day IT support across the business
- Troubleshoot hardware, software, and access issues
- Support onboarding and off‑boarding of engineering staff
- Act as the primary IT contact for development teams
The salary for this role is £45,000 to £50,000, commensurate with the experience of the successful candidate. During your application we will ask you for your salary expectations.
Why work with us?
- We offer flexible hybrid working policies in terms of working hours from day one.
- We operate availability hours so people can start at 9:30 am if needed, lunch can be taken between 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, and we offer an early finish on Fridays if you have banked your contracted hours for the week.
- Our full‑time contract is 38 hours per week.
- Colleagues at Ensera Design work with a great deal of flexibility, which varies across our teams.
- An individual’s working pattern is agreed with their respective line managers, taking into account the needs of the individual and the team.
- We anticipate this role to be office‑based only to start, with flexibility once settled in to the role.
We offer:
- Performance‑related company‑wide bonus
- Flexible working approaches around availability hours
- Training and development opportunities, including dedicated learning days
- Private healthcare and Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave
- Matched contributory pension scheme
- Holiday allowance starting at 25 days, plus purchase scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme and transport discounts
- Regular team events and socials
- A collaborative, supportive working environment
We believe that designing for people means including all people, starting with the team behind the work. Our human‑centred design ethos is rooted in empathy, and our values – pull together, find a way, and care – guide us in building a team that reflects the diversity of the world we design for. We know that different perspectives lead to better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more meaningful outcomes. If you meet the skills and experience for this role, we welcome your application – whatever your background, identity, or path into design. What matters to us is that you share our belief in purposeful, people‑first design.
IT Software Development Administrator in Bristol employer: HS Design, Inc.
Ensera Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Bristol, where innovation meets collaboration. With flexible hybrid working policies, generous training and development opportunities, and a strong emphasis on employee well-being, we foster a culture that values diversity and inclusivity. Join us to be part of a supportive team that prioritises meaningful design and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Software Development Administrator in Bristol
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at HS Design, Inc. or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to HS Design, Inc..
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like HS Design, Inc..
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like HS Design, Inc. that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Software Development Administrator in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at HS Design, Inc..
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at HS Design, Inc. and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at HS Design, Inc.
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If HS Design, Inc. uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
