At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a small team to monitor and develop systems for real-time weather data.
- Company: Be part of the Met Office, a leader in weather accuracy and climate prediction.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on our planet while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in software engineering and multiple programming languages is essential.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Join to apply for the DevOps Engineer - MetDB team role at Met Office. We are looking for an exceptional DevOps Engineer to help us make a difference to our planet. As a DevOps Engineer, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.
The MetDB is the central store of nearly 200 observation types from land, marine, aircraft, satellite, RADAR and more, storing over 380 million observations a day in binary formats. You will be joining a small DevOps team that monitors, supports and develops the MetDB. We work with teams across the Met Office, delivering new data types, improving performance and resilience, identifying issues in production and providing user support. We work on Linux systems often using Python and Fortran, but we are looking for candidates willing to turn their hand to any language suitable for the job.
Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we will do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.
Your world of expertise: You will support and develop systems providing real-time data to operational Numerical Weather prediction (NWP), products and research, contributing to the delivery of exceptional science, technology and operations.
Your key duties:
- Monitoring and dealing with any problems which occur.
- Process improvement.
- Developing Software as part of maintaining the current system as well as part of future projects.
Why join us: Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their 'Best Workplaces in Tech' 2023 and 2024 lists, as well as their '54 Best Workplaces for Women' 2023 list.
As our DevOps Engineer, your total reward package will be up to Β£49,826 annually, which includes:
- Β£33,794 base pay
- An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) of Β£2,200 per annum as a market supplement
- Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years
Essential Criteria, skills and experience:
- Evidence of an ability to communicate complex technical information to audiences of different technical literacy and needs.
- Software Engineering and user focus, with evidence of working with multiple programming languages (e.g. Python, C and Fortran), working with Linux environments in an agile way using suitable tools.
- Evidence of following standards and knowledge of different types of Standard.
- Evidence of investigating and solving a complex problem.
- Evidence of being committed to Professional Development.
How to apply: If you share our values, we would love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills. Closing date 20/08/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 2 weeks after the closing date.
We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us. If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity.
We understand that great minds donβt always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.
We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.
DevOps Engineer - MetDB team employer: Met Office
Contact Detail:
Met Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land DevOps Engineer - MetDB team
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Met Office on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since you'll be working with Python and Linux, make sure you can talk confidently about your experience and any projects you've worked on. Practice makes perfect!
β¨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the environment! The Met Office is all about making a difference, so be ready to discuss how your work as a DevOps Engineer can contribute to their mission. Let them see your enthusiasm!
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows youβre serious about joining the team. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace DevOps Engineer - MetDB team
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion for the Planet: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for making a difference to our planet. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to environmental issues and how you can contribute to our mission.
Use the CARL Method: We recommend using the CARL method (Context, Action, Result, Learning) to structure your supporting statement. This helps us understand your thought process and the impact of your actions, making it easier for us to see how you fit into the team.
Tailor Your Skills to the Role: Make sure to highlight your experience with programming languages like Python and Fortran, as well as your familiarity with Linux environments. We want to see how your skills align with the key duties of the DevOps Engineer role, so be specific!
Apply Through Our Website: Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for the role. Plus, itβs super easy to navigate, so go ahead and get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Met Office
β¨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of programming languages like Python, C, and Fortran. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in previous projects, especially in Linux environments. The more specific examples you can provide, the better!
β¨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to explain complex technical information to various audiences, practice simplifying your explanations. Think about how you would describe a technical problem or solution to someone without a tech background. This will show your ability to adapt your communication style.
β¨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss a challenging problem you've faced in your work and how you approached it. Use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result, Learning) to structure your response. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and commitment to professional development.
β¨Be Ready for Practical Tests
Expect that there might be a selection exercise during your interview, such as a presentation or a scenario-based activity. Practise presenting your ideas clearly and confidently, and think about how you would tackle real-world problems related to the role.