At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure our platforms are reliable and responsive while collaborating with a dynamic CloudOps team.
- Company: Join Kinetic, a leader in operational excellence for education and events.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, wellbeing days, and flexible benefits tailored to you.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture focused on growth, innovation, and community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on technology that shapes the future of education and events.
- Qualifications: Experience in SRE or similar roles, with strong cloud and technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Kinetic
At Kinetic we’re redefining operational excellence in higher education, conferencing, and events. As the leading provider of software solutions for student accommodation, event management, catering, and residential services, we help institutions streamline operations, elevate customer experiences, and unlock their full potential. With over 25 years of experience and trusted by more than 350 institutions worldwide, our software empowers universities and venues to run smarter, faster, and more collaboratively. From bustling campuses to dynamic corporate environments, our technology adapts to the rhythm of each organisation — helping them thrive in a fast-changing world.
But we’re more than just software. We’re a team of passionate problem-solvers, innovators, and collaborators who care deeply about our customers and each other. Our culture is built on empowerment, community, and continuous growth. We believe in giving people the tools, support, and freedom to do their best work — and have fun while doing it. Joining Kinetic means being part of a purpose-driven business where your ideas matter, your development is supported, and your impact is real. If you’re ready to help shape the future of operational technology in education and events, we’d love to meet you.
The Role
As a Site Reliability Engineer at Kinetic, your primary focus will be on the reliability and uptime of our customer‑facing platforms. You will be embedded within our unified CloudOps team—a team that brings together platform engineering, SRE, and DevOps functions under one roof. Your day‑to‑day will centre on building stability, responding to active incidents, implementing short‑term fixes, and helping to defend the uptime of our customer systems. Over time, you will also feed into a broader platform, and DevOps work through cross‑training and collaborative engineering. This is a pivotal moment for our platform and operations. We are actively evolving how we work, and this role offers a real opportunity for someone who comes with experience but wants to keep growing – learning new skills, shaping improvements, and contributing to how we build and run things for the future.
What You’ll Bring
- Experience
- Demonstrable experience in an SRE or similar operations role within a SaaS business
- Strong hands‑on experience with at least one major cloud provider, with a preference for Microsoft Azure
- Technical Skills
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) - for example, Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates
- Container orchestration - for example, Kubernetes or Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
- Monitoring and observability tooling - for example, Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog, or Azure Monitor
- CI/CD pipelines and version control - for example, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps
- AI tooling - proficient in leveraging AI tools to improve operational efficiency, accelerate troubleshooting, automate repetitive tasks, and augment day‑to‑day engineering workflows
- Windows Server administration - including Active Directory, DNS, Group Policy, and core Windows Server infrastructure fundamentals
- Advanced Networking - including TCP/IP, DNS, VPNs, firewalls, load balancers, and general network troubleshooting in cloud and hybrid environments
- Linux systems administration and networking fundamentals
- Documentation - proficient in producing clear technical documentation, including runbooks, incident reports, architecture diagrams, and process guides
- Atlassian suite - hands‑on experience with Jira and Confluence for issue tracking, sprint management, and knowledge base management
- Soft Skills
- Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, incident‑driven environment
- Clear communicator - able to engage both technical teams and customer‑facing colleagues
- Customer‑first mindset, with a focus on delivering reliable, high‑quality service
- Growth mindset – curious, willing to learn, and eager to improve
- Nice to Have
- Microsoft Azure certifications (e.g. AZ‑900, AZ‑104, AZ‑400)
- DevOps Institute SRE Foundation or Practitioner certification
- Scripting or programming skills in Python, Go, or PowerShell for automation and tooling
- Experience with chaos engineering, game days, or blameless post‑mortem practices
- Experience with performance profiling, load testing, or capacity modelling
What to Expect
- Months 1 to 3: Learn, Embed, Contribute
- Get to know our products and existing technology stack
- Embed into our on‑call rotation and monitoring operations
- Understand our improvement initiatives around 24/7 incident response
- Get to know the team, understand why we do what we do, and begin to shape the future
- Months 3 to 12: Drive and Shape
- Take ownership of incident resolutions with increasing independence
- Actively drive down key reliability metrics (MTTR, incident frequency, on‑call toil)
- Begin contributing to improvement initiatives and shaping how we respond and recover
- Identify areas for automation and help implement changes that raise the bar for reliability
Benefits & Perks
At Kinetic, we believe work should come with rewards that make a real difference. Here’s just a taste of what you can expect when you join us:
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) – with extra days the longer you’re with us
- Two paid wellbeing days each year, with a budget to enjoy some time out with someone important to you
- Enhanced pension contributions to support your future
- Two paid days a year to give back through volunteering, charity work, or sustainability projects with our Green Team
- Salary sacrifice schemes for electric vehicles and cycle‑to‑work
- 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential advice and support
- A full annual health check to keep you at your best
- A flexible benefits platform – from life assurance and learning opportunities to retail discounts and cinema tickets
- A genuine people‑first culture where your growth and wellbeing come first
- Performance‑related bonus scheme to reward your contribution
- Regular socials – from team get‑togethers to all‑company celebrations, with each department owning a budget for their events
- The opportunity to attend group conferences, away days and learning forums both in the UK and abroad – network with other talent
We’ve created a welcoming office environment, with well‑stocked kitchens offering free breakfast, fresh fruit, hot and cold drinks, and a range of tuck shop goodies to keep you fuelled throughout the day. Kinetic is an equal opportunity employer, fostering diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Senior Site Reliability Engineer employer: Kinetic Software
Kinetic is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, offering a vibrant work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, Kinetic provides extensive benefits including generous holiday allowances, wellbeing days, and opportunities for professional development, all while fostering a supportive community that values each team member's contributions. Joining Kinetic means being part of a purpose-driven organisation that empowers you to make a real impact in the evolving landscape of operational technology in education and events.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Site Reliability Engineer
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Kinetic Software values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Kinetic Software might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Kinetic Software!
✨Direct Apply to Kinetic Software
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Kinetic Software website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Site Reliability Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Kinetic Software.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Kinetic Software. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kinetic Software
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
