At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure operational reliability of cutting-edge GPU-accelerated HPC infrastructure.
- Company: Join Northern Data, a leader in sustainable HPC solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible home office options, wellness initiatives, and opportunities for impactful contributions.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values your ideas and promotes continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of HPC while promoting sustainability and innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in operations, with strong leadership and technical skills in Linux and automation.
The Operations Engineering Manager will own the operational reliability of the company’s GPU‑accelerated HPC infrastructure and lead a team of Operations Engineers. This role combines technical leadership with people management and Agile delivery ownership. The successful candidate will set the vision for operational excellence, manage and develop the internal team, and work closely with Platform, Network, and Infrastructure teams to build operational excellence. The role will also play a key part in implementing and maturing the company’s scaled Agile Framework across Operations Engineering, ensuring alignment, transparency, and continuous improvement.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, coach, and develop an internal team of Operations Engineers.
- Set clear goals, priorities, and expectations for the team.
- Manage workload and resource allocation across the team.
- Support regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and development plans.
- Build a collaborative team culture focused on ownership and accountability.
- Operational Ownership & Reliability
- Own the reliability, performance, and availability of the GPU-accelerated HPC infrastructure from an Operations perspective.
- Oversee proactive system monitoring, incident trend analysis, and root cause analysis.
- Define, track, and report on key operational metrics.
- Ensure strong operational control through effective processes, runbooks, and change management.
- Drive proactive improvements in reliability, automation, and performance.
- Agile Ways of Working & Framework Oversight
- Champion and oversee the scaled Agile Framework within the Operations function.
- Collaborate with Product, Platform, and Network teams to align priorities and manage backlogs.
- Support Agile ceremonies such as planning, stand-ups, reviews, and retrospectives.
- Improve delivery flow, predictability, and cross-team coordination.
- Ensure work is prioritised and delivered in line with Agile principles.
- Process, Automation, and Documentation
- Own the creation and maintenance of operational documentation, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides.
- Drive automation initiatives to reduce manual effort and improve consistency.
- Promote best practices in scripting, configuration management, and observability.
- Maintain effective knowledge sharing across the team.
- Stay informed on relevant trends and assess opportunities for improvement.
- People & Stakeholder Communication
- Provide regular status updates and reporting to leadership.
- Represent Operations in cross-functional planning and strategic discussions.
- Act as an escalation point for major incidents and complex technical issues.
- Coordinate with Platform, Network, and third-party support teams during critical events.
- Communicate clearly to support alignment, risk management, and decision-making.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years in infrastructure/operations, with 2+ years managing a technical team.
- Advanced Linux administration in production, ideally at scale.
- Proven experience running incident/problem management and working with third‑party or external support teams.
- Hands‑on with automation (Ansible or equivalent) and monitoring/observability tools (e.g. Grafana, Prometheus).
- Experience with Agile ways of working and exposure to scaled Agile frameworks.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to work closely with Platform, Network, and leadership.
Nice to Have
- Experience in HPC or GPU‑accelerated environments (NVIDIA GPUs, InfiniBand/RDMA, parallel file systems).
- Scripting skills in Python and/or Bash for automation and tooling.
- Understanding of performance tuning for HPC/GPU systems.
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines and modern DevOps tooling.
- Background designing or improving on‑call rotations, runbooks, and incident readiness.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Work towards the future of HPC: From new, sustainable building methods for data centers to cooling concepts to software solutions for accelerated compute.
- Your approaches count: In official exchange formats or spontaneously at the coffee machine.
- At Northern Data, it's the best idea that counts - not the hierarchy.
- Help shape things: Unlike in established corporations, at Northern Data you will really help shape things.
- Best-in-class partners: The best work with Northern Data, providing a knowledge and time advantage.
- Sustainability is at the core of Northern Data; actively work on the carbon neutrality of datacenters worldwide.
- Home Office facts: Work with our international and virtual team flexible from home.
- Your wellness matters: Regular wellbeing initiatives designed to promote wellness, diversity, inclusion, and much more.
Operations Engineering Manager (m/f/d) in London employer: Northern Data
At Northern Data, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. As an Operations Engineering Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic team while contributing to cutting-edge HPC solutions in a sustainable environment. With flexible home office options, a focus on employee wellness, and a commitment to carbon neutrality, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact both within the company and in the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Engineering Manager (m/f/d) in London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Operations Engineering Manager (m/f/d) role you’re after at Northern Data.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Northern Data a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Northern Data.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Operations Engineering Manager (m/f/d) at Northern Data, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Engineering Manager (m/f/d) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Operations Engineering Manager (m/f/d), it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Northern Data a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Northern Data specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern Data
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Northern Data, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Northern Data want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
