At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and improve Linux systems while automating tasks for efficiency.
- Company: Join Oxford Nanopore Technologies, a leader in DNA and RNA analysis.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, private healthcare, and a generous pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on technology that benefits society and human health.
- Qualifications: Strong Linux skills, automation experience, and troubleshooting abilities required.
- Other info: Work in a beautiful environment with opportunities for hands-on learning.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Oxford Nanopore Technologies is headquartered at the Oxford Science Park, UK, with a global presence across the US, APAC, and Europe. We bring together expertise from science, engineering, and software to build technology that enables real-time analysis of DNA and RNA at any scale.
You will take ownership of core infrastructure, ensuring systems are reliable, well-maintained, and continuously improving. The role blends system administration, troubleshooting, and automation, with plenty of scope to simplify and streamline how things are done. You’ll work closely with other engineers, development teams, manufacturing and compliance, focusing on keeping environments stable and usable rather than introducing unnecessary complexity.
Key Responsibilities- Maintain and support Ubuntu-based Linux systems across on-prem and limited cloud environments
- Own system health: patching, upgrades, monitoring, and issue resolution
- Troubleshoot incidents and see problems through to root cause
- Build and maintain Ansible automation for configuration and routine tasks
- Automate repetitive work where it adds value
- Support VMware (vSphere) environments and virtual machines
- Work with physical infrastructure (servers, basic hardware issues, cabling)
- Support Docker / Docker Compose environments
- Maintain storage and file systems (NFS, autofs)
- Monitor systems and respond to alerts (OpenMetrics, SNMP-based tooling)
- Manage SSL certificates and apply security best practices
- Work within ITIL processes (incident, change, problem management)
- Create and maintain clear, useful documentation
- Strong Linux administration (Ubuntu preferred)
- Bash scripting and practical automation experience
- Ansible (including testing approaches such as Molecule)
- VMware / vSphere experience
- Solid networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS)
- Experience with storage systems (NFS, autofs)
- Familiarity with Docker / Docker Compose
- Monitoring and alerting (e.g. SNMP, OpenMetrics)
- Experience with Git (GitHub or GitLab) and CI/CD pipelines
- Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding skills
- Experience with Active Directory, LDAP, or Samba
- Clear communication and documentation skills
- Python for automation
- Terraform (basic exposure)
- Experience in controlled and compliant environments such as manufacturing and labs
- Experience working in dynamic environments such as research and development
- Own transport for occasional trips to ONT sites (Harwell, Abingdon, Oxford)
- Flexibility to come to site as required for hands-on work and meetings
- Systems are stable, patched, and well understood
- Repetitive tasks are reduced through pragmatic automation
- Issues are resolved properly, not repeatedly
- Improvements are steady, practical, and low-risk
- Documentation is clear and genuinely useful
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working close to the systems, taking ownership, and making things better over time. You should be comfortable balancing automation with hands-on operational work and motivated by keeping environments reliable and efficient. We offer outstanding benefits to include an attractive bonus, generous pension contributions, private healthcare and an excellent starting salary.
If you are looking to utilise your skills to really make a difference to humankind, then consider joining our team and apply today!
Infrastructure Engineer (Linux & Automation) in Oxford employer: Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Contact Detail:
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Infrastructure Engineer (Linux & Automation) in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Oxford Nanopore Technologies on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insights into the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the technical interview by brushing up on your Linux skills and automation tools like Ansible. We recommend setting up a home lab to practice troubleshooting and scripting – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss past experiences where you simplified complex systems or automated repetitive tasks. We love hearing about real-world applications!
✨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’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Infrastructure Engineer (Linux & Automation) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your Linux administration skills and automation experience. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities of the Infrastructure Engineer role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about infrastructure and automation. Share specific examples of how you've improved systems in the past, and let us know why you want to join our team at Oxford Nanopore.
Show Off Your Documentation Skills: Since clear communication and documentation are essential for this role, include examples of documentation you've created in previous jobs. This could be anything from system manuals to troubleshooting guides—let us see your clarity in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen on joining our innovative team at Oxford Nanopore!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Nanopore Technologies
✨Know Your Linux Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Ubuntu skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with system administration, troubleshooting, and any automation you've implemented. They’ll want to see that you can maintain and support Linux systems effectively.
✨Show Off Your Automation Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with Ansible and any Bash scripting you've done. Think of specific examples where you've automated repetitive tasks or improved system efficiency. This will demonstrate your ability to simplify processes, which is key for this role.
✨Get Familiar with Their Tech Stack
Research the tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, like Docker, VMware, and monitoring tools. Being able to discuss how you've used these in past roles will show that you're not just a good fit technically, but also genuinely interested in their work.
✨Communicate Clearly and Document Well
Since clear communication and documentation are essential for this role, think about how you’ve approached these in your previous jobs. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve created useful documentation or communicated complex technical issues to non-technical teams.