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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to develop innovative software and automation for time measurement.
- Company: NPL is a world-leading centre for measurement science and technology in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, social activities, and a range of rewards and recognition.
- Why this job: Be part of a critical project that enhances national infrastructure and pushes measurement boundaries.
- Qualifications: Experience in Unix admin, scripting, and professional software development is essential.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
About the Role
Our world-leading Time & Frequency department are seeking an experienced and practicing Unix Platform Engineer. You will be joining our team at an exciting time - we maintain the UK's National Time Scale, UTC (NPL), and are currently developing a new resilient Time Scale facility that will underpin our Critical National Infrastructure. This will address the risks associated with our dependency on global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS) that are vulnerable to both natural and intentional interference.
As Platform Engineer, you'll collaborate with prominent Scientists and Engineers to develop and implement innovative, production-ready software and automation to time, quality, and cost.
Key responsibilities:
- On-prem and cloud-based compute and storage infrastructure
- Automated provisioning and config management
- Team leadership
- Risk assessment and management
- Security mindset
- Clear communicator
About You
Reporting to a Programme Manager, you'll enjoy responsibility for the development of software to defined timelines and budget. You'll utilise your analytical and technical skills to contribute toward the design and implementation of automation which pushes the boundaries of measurement accuracy and stability.
To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills, experience, and qualifications:
Essential:
- Unix admin and engineering
- Scripting and automation: make, bash, Packer, Ansible, Terraform, Docker
- Professional software development experience
- Internet protocols and services: SMTP, DNS, HTTP
- Filesystems, NFS
- Security hardening
Highly-desirable:
- Cloud platform administration
- Hardware builds and bare metal provisioning
- ESXi, vCenter
- Telegraf/Influx/Grafana stack
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
About Us
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity. As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we're creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.
We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we're always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.
Unix Platform Engineer employer: NPL
Contact Detail:
NPL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Unix Platform Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Ansible, Terraform, and Docker. Having hands-on experience or projects showcasing your skills with these tools can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of Unix engineering and automation. Attend relevant meetups or online forums where you can connect with current employees or industry experts who might provide insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with risk assessment and management during the interview. Think of specific examples where you've successfully identified and mitigated risks in previous projects, as this is a key responsibility for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by being clear and concise in your interactions with the recruitment team. Since the role requires collaboration with scientists and engineers, demonstrating your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively will be crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace Unix Platform Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your Unix administration and engineering experience, as well as your skills in scripting and automation tools like Bash, Ansible, and Terraform. Use specific examples to demonstrate your professional software development experience.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention how your background aligns with their needs, particularly in developing innovative software and automation solutions. Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with scientists and engineers.
Showcase Relevant Projects: If you have worked on projects involving cloud platform administration or security hardening, be sure to include these in your application. Discuss any experience with hardware builds or bare metal provisioning, as these are highly desirable skills for the position.
Prepare for Security Clearance Questions: Since the role requires BPSS security clearance, be ready to discuss your nationality, residency, and any relevant background checks during the recruitment process. Familiarise yourself with the requirements to ensure a smooth application experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at NPL
✨Showcase Your Unix Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience with Unix administration and engineering. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've implemented solutions using Unix, as this will demonstrate your hands-on knowledge and problem-solving skills.
✨Demonstrate Scripting Skills
Since scripting and automation are key components of the role, come ready to talk about your experience with tools like Bash, Ansible, and Terraform. You might even want to prepare a small example or two of how you've used these tools to automate processes in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Platform Engineer, clear communication is essential. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you may need to collaborate with scientists and engineers from various backgrounds. This will show that you can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical team members.
✨Understand Security Protocols
Given the importance of security in this role, brush up on your knowledge of security hardening and internet protocols. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented security measures in past projects, as well as your approach to risk assessment and management.
