At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and maintain cloud platforms and infrastructure for OCU's operations.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company in Preston with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Structured training, hands-on experience, and a clear career progression path.
- Other info: Perfect for tech-savvy graduates eager to tackle challenges and innovate.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while learning from industry experts in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Cybersecurity, IT, or Software Engineering with a minimum 2:2 classification.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
You'll play a key role in supporting and maintaining the cloud platforms, infrastructure and core technology services that underpin OCU's operations. Based in Preston, you'll work as part of our Infrastructure and Cloud Services team, helping to deliver reliable, secure and scalable technology solutions that support colleagues, customers and business-critical services across the organisation.
You'll gain exposure to a broad range of cloud and infrastructure technologies, supporting the management, maintenance and improvement of systems across on-premise and cloud environments. Working alongside experienced engineers, architects and technical specialists, you'll help monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, implement infrastructure changes and support projects that drive innovation and operational efficiency.
As part of the role, you'll contribute to the administration of cloud platforms, servers, networks, storage solutions and endpoint technologies, while developing an understanding of modern infrastructure practices including automation, virtualisation, monitoring, disaster recovery and cyber security. You'll support the delivery of infrastructure upgrades, cloud migrations and technology transformation initiatives, gaining practical experience across the full technology lifecycle.
You'll work closely with technical teams and business stakeholders to ensure systems remain resilient, secure and fit for purpose. As your knowledge and confidence grow, you'll take on increasing responsibility, develop your technical expertise and play an active role in shaping and supporting the technology landscape that enables OCU's continued growth and success.
Perfect for
- Graduates who are passionate about technology, cloud computing and IT infrastructure, and who want to build a career designing, supporting and improving modern technology environments.
- You'll be naturally curious, analytical and eager to learn, with strong problem-solving skills and an interest in how complex systems and technologies work together.
- This role is ideal for someone who enjoys troubleshooting technical challenges, learning new technologies and working collaboratively to deliver reliable and innovative solutions.
- You'll be keen to develop your skills across cloud platforms, networking, infrastructure, automation and systems administration while working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists.
- You'll enjoy balancing day-to-day operational support with project-based work, helping to deliver technology solutions that improve performance, enable business growth and support the digital transformation of the organisation.
Entry Requirements
- You’ll need (or be on track to achieve) a degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Software Engineering or related subject with a minimum 2:2 classification.
- Due to travel and support across various site locations driving licence is essential before starting the role.
Training Programme
Our 2 year Graduate Programme combines structured training with hands-on experience, giving you real responsibility from day one. You'll learn directly alongside industry experts in a collaborative, supportive environment. We invest in your continuous professional development, giving you the tools, confidence and clear progression path to build a long term career within OCU.
To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process, by emailing recruitment@ocugroup.com.
Graduate Cloud and Infrastructure Engineer - Preston - 2027 employer: OCU
At OCU, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, competitive pension plans, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects in the UK. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your professional development in a rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Cloud and Infrastructure Engineer - Preston - 2027
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at OCU or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to OCU.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like OCU.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like OCU that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Cloud and Infrastructure Engineer - Preston - 2027
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at OCU.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at OCU and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at OCU
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If OCU uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
