At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and automation of secure on-premise infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on innovative platform automation solutions.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diverse backgrounds and encourages all to apply.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence environments while shaping the future of platform automation.
- Qualifications: Experience in Infrastructure as Code and strong technical leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 £ per year.
Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Permanent Onsite
Salary: £75,000 – £85,000 (DOE) + benefits
Strategic & Principal Responsibilities
- Contribute to strategic direction for on‑premise platform automation
- Define automation standards, patterns, and reference architectures for secure on‑premise infrastructure
- Shape the long‑term roadmap for Infrastructure as Code adoption, modernising traditional infrastructure practices safely within defence environments
- Act as a technical authority and decision maker for platform automation approaches, tools, and designs
- Influence senior stakeholders, architects, security teams, and delivery leads on platform strategy, risk, and investment priorities
Infrastructure as Code & Automation Delivery
- Design, build, and maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for the automated provisioning and lifecycle management of on‑premise CWEs
- Develop reusable, version‑controlled automation artefacts to standardise infrastructure builds across environments
- Lead the transition from manual and bespoke builds to repeatable, code‑driven infrastructure delivery
- Ensure all infrastructure changes are auditable, reproducible, and aligned with secure delivery practices
Security, Assurance & Compliance
- Embed defence‑grade security controls, identity integration, and configuration hardening into all automation
- Design infrastructure automation to support accreditation, assurance, and audit requirements
- Work closely with security and compliance teams to ensure platforms meet customer and regulatory expectations
CI/CD & Environment Lifecycle Management
- Integrate Infrastructure as Code into CI/CD pipelines to support controlled, repeatable platform changes
- Define and implement safe promotion models across development, test, and production environments
- Automate environment provisioning, modification, and decommissioning to support customer lifecycle needs
Operational Reliability & Continuous Improvement
- Improve reliability and reduce operational risk by identifying automation gaps and replacing manual processes
- Support incident analysis and drive preventative improvement through enhanced automation
- Actively manage technical debt within platform automation codebases
- Continuously refine automation to improve efficiency, quality, and resilience
Leadership, Coaching & Enablement
- Provide senior technical leadership and mentoring to Junior and Graduate engineers
- Set expectations for coding quality, automation practices, and operational ownership
- Enable delivery and operations teams to safely consume platform automation through clear guidance and tooling
- Contribute to engineering culture, promoting automation‑first, code‑driven delivery
Education and Experience Requirements
Essential Experience
- Significant, hands‑on experience designing, building, and operating on‑premise infrastructure platforms within enterprise or highly regulated environments
- Proven experience delivering Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to automate the provisioning and lifecycle management of infrastructure
- Demonstrable experience working in security‑constrained or regulated environments, such as defence, government, or critical national infrastructure
- Experience contributing to or establishing technical standards, automation patterns, and strategic direction for platform engineering
Technical Experience
- Strong experience with Nutanix hyperconverged infrastructure, including cluster design, operation, and automation
- Experience supporting or automating Citrix platforms (e.g. virtual apps and desktops) within secure enterprise environments
- Solid understanding of traditional data‑centre technologies including compute, storage, networking, and identity services
- Hands‑on experience building, configuring, and automating SQL Server platforms
- Experience supporting multi‑tier enterprise applications hosted on on‑premise infrastructure
- Understanding of how collaboration platforms are underpinned by identity, database, and application services
Automation & Infrastructure as Code
- Strong practical experience with Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g. Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell DSC, or equivalent)
- Proven ability to create reusable, version‑controlled automation artefacts
- Experience integrating infrastructure automation into CI/CD pipelines
- Experience embedding security controls, identity integration, access models, and configuration hardening into automated builds
- Familiarity with accreditation, assurance, and audit processes in secure environments
- Experience supporting live platforms, responding to incidents, and driving automation‑led improvements
Leadership & Professional Experience
- Experience operating as a senior technical engineer, providing guidance and technical leadership to peers
- Proven ability to influence technical direction and challenge legacy approaches with pragmatic, automation‑led solutions
- Comfortable acting as a trusted technical advisor to architects, security teams, and delivery stakeholders
We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background or identity, and we encourage candidates who may not meet every listed requirement to still apply. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure a fair and accessible experience.
Platform Automation Lead — Secure On-Prem IaC Architect in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Onyx-Conseil
Join a forward-thinking company in Stoke-on-Trent that prioritises innovation and security in platform automation. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to mentoring opportunities and the chance to shape the future of Infrastructure as Code within a collaborative and supportive work culture. Enjoy competitive salaries and benefits while contributing to meaningful projects in a highly regulated environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Platform Automation Lead — Secure On-Prem IaC Architect in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to platform automation. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio of your past projects, especially those involving Infrastructure as Code. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Platform Automation Lead — Secure On-Prem IaC Architect in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your hands-on experience with on-premise infrastructure and Infrastructure as Code, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about platform automation and how your background aligns with our needs. Be specific about your experience in security-constrained environments and your approach to automation.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical expertise! Mention the tools you’ve used, like Terraform or Ansible, and any relevant projects that demonstrate your ability to deliver secure, automated solutions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Onyx-Conseil
✨Know Your IaC Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform and Ansible. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools, especially how you've used them to automate provisioning and lifecycle management in secure environments.
✨Showcase Your Security Savvy
Since this role involves working in security-constrained environments, prepare examples of how you've embedded security controls into your automation processes. Highlight any experience you have with compliance and audit requirements to demonstrate your understanding of the importance of security in platform automation.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This position requires providing technical leadership and mentoring. Think of specific instances where you've influenced technical direction or guided junior engineers. Be ready to share how you set expectations for coding quality and operational ownership.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
You’ll need to influence senior stakeholders and delivery leads, so practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've previously navigated complex discussions around platform strategy and risk management, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively with diverse teams.
