Infrastructure Operations Engineer

We are currently looking for an Infrastructure Operations Engineer to join our Clinical Practice Research Datalink Team in the Safety and Surveillance group. This is a full‑time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites. We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

Who are we? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The Safety and Surveillance Group brings together into a single integrated structure devices and medicines safety expertise with enforcement capabilities. These functions will be supported by our data and evidence generating capabilities complementing our signal generating capabilities produced via the new Safety Connect System. Part of the Safety and Surveillance group, The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is the UK’s preeminent research service providing access to anonymised NHS data for research. In addition to supporting high quality observational research, CPRD has developed world leading services based on using real world data to support clinical trials and interventional studies.

What’s the role? The CPRD Infrastructure Operations Engineer role offers an exciting opportunity to support and enhance the UK Government’s premier data‑driven health research service. The successful candidate will play a key role in the operation, support and continual improvement of CPRD’s Azure cloud platforms and research services. Working within the Infrastructure Team, you will be responsible for maintaining secure, resilient and highly available cloud infrastructure that underpins CPRD’s research environments, data platforms and business‑critical services. You will work closely with internal stakeholders, technical teams and external suppliers to ensure operational excellence across the estate. The role requires a proactive individual who can take ownership of operational activities, investigate and resolve technical issues, support infrastructure changes and contribute to service improvements. You will have opportunities to develop your Azure expertise, contribute to strategic initiatives and support innovative research platforms used by healthcare researchers across the UK.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain the effective operation of CPRD’s research IT systems.
• Develop and implement IT Service improvements.
• Manage incidents and resolve problems.
• Liaise with service providers and partners.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Educated to degree level, or equivalent, in either a computer science-based, IT-based, or related discipline or industry qualifications at a professional level such as ITIL Foundation.
• Have hands‑on experience in maintaining Azure service components to ensure they meet business needs and performance targets.
• Have awareness in carrying out the routine configuration, installation, and reconfiguration of IT systems, optimizing performance, scripting, and forecasting resource needs.
• Have awareness of investigating problems in systems, processes, and services, determining the appropriate remedy, and assisting with the implementation of remedies and preventative measures.
• Have awareness of implementing changes based on requests for change and applying change control procedures.

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview, T=Test, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Managing a Quality Service (A/I)
• Delivering at Pace (A/I)
• Making Effective Decisions (A/I)
• Working Together (A/I)

Experience Criteria:

• Proven experience managing IT infrastructure in an Azure cloud environment.
• Strong understanding of Azure services, including computing, storage, networking, and identity management. (A/I/T)
• Hands‑on experience with Azure DevOps, automation tools (e.g., PowerShell, Azure CLI), and configuration management. (A/I)
• Familiarity with Active Directory and role‑based access control (RBAC).
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and compliance standards in cloud environments. (A/I)
• Prior responsibility for using business information management systems to effectively monitor, track, and report data usage against agreed metrics and targets. (A/I)
• Knowledge of using project management techniques to deliver required outcomes, identify risks, and implement mitigating actions. (A/I)

Technical Criteria:

• Educated to undergraduate degree level in either a maths, information technology, or computer science-based subject or equivalent work‑related experience. (A)
• Certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Solutions Architect Expert. (A/I)

Use of AI in Job Applications: Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: Proven experience managing IT infrastructure in an Azure cloud environment. Strong understanding of Azure services, including computing, storage, networking, and identity management. Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency‑based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time.

Closing date: Monday 17th August 2026

Shortlisting date: Friday 21st August 2026

Interview date: Thursday 3rd September 2026

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome. Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro‑life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre‑employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax‑Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer. Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater. The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

The Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles underpin our recruitment and selection processes in ensuring a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact careers@mhra.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk info@csc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ