At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to modernise network management and drive automation initiatives.
- Company: MBDA, a leading defence organisation with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid working environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on network infrastructure using cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience in software engineering practices.
An exciting opportunity for a driven Network DevOps Engineer to join MBDA's multi-national Digital Excellence function. Ideal candidates should be passionate about modernising network management, driving automation initiatives and upskilling others. You will contribute to building an automated network infrastructure that underpins MBDA's critical systems and supports its rapidly evolving organisational needs.
Salary: Up to £55,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site depending on business need.
Security Clearance: British Citizen Only. As a minimum, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team. SC clearance will be applied for upon successful BPSS check. This role will require the successful candidate to gain DV Clearance.
What we can offer you:
- Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance)
- Pension: maximum total contribution of up to 14%
- Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
- Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...
The opportunity: Join our forward-thinking team as a Network DevOps Engineer within MBDA UK's Digital Networks function. You will play an important role in transitioning our network infrastructure toward a more software-driven model by applying standard software engineering practices such as version control, structured testing, and modular software design. You will be responsible for building and maintaining the software, tools and pipelines that manage our physical and virtual infrastructure, ensuring our network remains reliable, scalable, and maintainable through code.
Responsibilities will include:
- Designing, developing, and maintaining production-grade software and custom tools, primarily using Python, to manage network infrastructure at scale.
- Championing software engineering best practices within the team, including code reviews, unit testing and writing clean, maintainable code.
- Establishing our automated software testing strategy, including evaluating and selecting the best tools and frameworks.
- Managing and extending our network Source of Truth by developing custom data models, plugins, and state-driven automation jobs.
- Building and managing CI/CD pipelines to automate the testing and deployment of network changes.
- Collaborating on the development of Ansible playbooks and roles for network configuration.
- Supporting and upskilling existing team members to help develop their software engineering capabilities.
This role offers the unique opportunity to work with some of the latest network technologies and software to make a direct impact on how the network infrastructure will be managed at MBDA.
What we are looking for from you:
Please note: We do not expect candidates to meet every requirement listed below. If you have a strong software engineering background and possess most of the essential skills or have experience working with equivalent tools, we highly encourage you to apply.
Essential Skills:
- Advanced proficiency in Python, with a strong grasp on software engineering concepts such as OOP, design patterns and writing testable, maintainable code.
- Solid experience with Python testing methodologies, with the ability to design and implement a testing strategy from the ground up for our network automation applications and APIs.
- Strong experience designing, consuming, and integrating REST and GraphQL APIs using frameworks such as Django REST Framework, FastAPI and Pydantic.
- Proficiency working with standard data structures, serialisation, and templating languages (e.g., JSON, YAML, Jinja2).
- In-depth understanding of DevOps principles and Agile software development methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban).
- Experience using version control systems, specifically Git and GitLab.
- Practical experience in designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines within GitLab to streamline automation workflows.
- Hands-on experience using Ansible to automate and manage network configurations.
- Familiarity with core networking principles (TCP/UDP, IP, DNS, Routing, Switching, Subnetting, VLAN's, etc).
Desirable Skills:
- Familiarity with network-specific testing frameworks such as PyATS.
- Any experience with Cisco technologies, specifically Catalyst Centre and/or ACI.
- Experience using Nautobot (or similar Django-based applications) as a Network Source of Truth application.
- Experience with data mocking and/or factory libraries (e.g., mock, factory_boy) to validate complex data schemas and API contracts.
- Proficient in using a Linux OS distribution, preferably RHEL.
- Practical experience or an understanding of virtualisation and containerisation technologies, specifically Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.
Our company: MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.
We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Network DevOps 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 Mbda Uk 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 Mbda Uk 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 Mbda Uk!
✨Direct Apply to Mbda Uk
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Mbda Uk 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 Network DevOps 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 Mbda Uk.
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 Mbda Uk. 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 Mbda Uk
✨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.
