At a Glance
- Tasks: Enhance and secure our IT environment while tackling complex operational challenges.
- Company: Join a leading cyber security consultancy with a global reach.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Remote work flexibility with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cyber security while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT operations, networking, and systems administration is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Pen Test Partners works with clients globally providing cyber security consultancy and testing services.
We work with the most cutting‑edge industries, including Automotive, Aerospace, and Maritime.
With over 130 employees across penetration testing, consultancy, digital forensics, sales, and support functions, we pride ourselves on attracting talented individuals and giving them the environment to develop and perform at their best.
From real‑world incident response to cutting‑edge research, we deliver meaningful, high‑impact work for our clients.
We are looking for an experienced Senior IT Operations Engineer to help run, improve and secure our internal IT environment across infrastructure, networking, Microsoft 365, security tooling, cloud services, monitoring, patching, documentation, automation and service reliability.
They will balance reliable day‑to‑day operations with improvement projects that reduce recurring issues, strengthen security controls, support compliance obligations and keep IT services aligned with business needs.
The role can be based remotely with monthly travel to our office in Buckingham, and data centre in the South of the country when required.
Candidates are required to hold or be able to hold SC clearance.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a senior escalation point for complex issues across infrastructure, networking, security, Microsoft 365, on‑premises systems and cloud services
- Own and improve day‑to‑day IT operations, keeping systems reliable, secure, monitored and aligned with business priorities
- Administer and improve Windows Server, Linux, Microsoft 365, identity, endpoint management and security tooling
- Support on‑premises VMware virtualisation and services hosted across Azure, AWS and Digital Ocean
- Maintain networking across on‑premises, data centre and cloud environments
- Improve resilience through monitoring, patching, vulnerability management, backups, recovery testing, disaster recovery and secure configuration
- Lead infrastructure and operational improvements, ensuring changes are planned, tested, documented, communicated and delivered safely
- Support incident response, problem management and root cause analysis to reduce repeat issues
- Manage vendors, suppliers and support partners to resolve issues and improve services
- Support security governance and audits, including access reviews, evidence collection, device compliance and policy enforcement
- Maintain clear documentation, runbooks and support processes, and provide technical guidance to colleagues
Essential Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in IT operations, infrastructure, networking or systems administration
- Strong Windows Server, Linux, Microsoft 365 and cloud administration experience
- Strong networking knowledge, including TCP/IP, VLANs, VPNs, routing, zero trust and firewalls
- Experience administering and securing Microsoft 365, including Entra ID, Conditional Access, Intune, Exchange Online, Share Point, One Drive and Microsoft Defender
- Good understanding of operational security, including patching, vulnerability management, backups, recovery testing, access controls and disaster recovery
- Strong troubleshooting, prioritisation and communication skills
- Experience with incident response, problem management, root cause analysis and reducing repeat issues
- Experience delivering safe, controlled technical change in a live environment
- Experience supporting security governance, audit evidence, access reviews or compliance processes
- Practical automation or scripting experience to reduce manual work and improve consistency
- Ability to own technical work, guide colleagues and improve operational standards with minimal supervision
- Eligibility and willingness to undergo security clearance, such as SC; existing clearance would be beneficial but is not essential
- Ability to travel to offices, data centres or other sites when required
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Infrastructure as Code experience, such as Terraform, Ansible, Salt, Power Shell, Bash or Python
- Experience with Microsoft Defender, Purview, cloud security, compliance tooling or secure configuration frameworks
- Experience with containerisation technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes
- Experience mentoring colleagues or providing informal technical leadership
- Experience managing technical vendors, suppliers or support partners
- Experience with asset, licence or infrastructure lifecycle management
- Experience in a security‑conscious or cybersecurity consultancy environment
Certifications
Relevant certifications are beneficial but not essential.
Examples include Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate, Microsoft 365 Administrator, Microsoft Security Operations Analyst, Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator, AWS Solutions Architect Associate or security‑related certifications.
Current benefits include
- Competitive salary based on experience
- 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays with the ability to purchase more
- Private Medical Insurance and Healthcare Benefit
- Life insurance at 4 x salary
- Group personal pension with enhanced contributions matched
- Working abroad options
- Financing available for training and conference attendance
- EV lease salary sacrifice scheme on completion
- An environment where you can flourish, learn, and grow, as a person not just as an employee
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior IT Operations Engineer in Buckingham employer: Pen Test Partners
At Pen Test Partners, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our remote-friendly environment allows for flexibility while still encouraging team engagement through monthly meet-ups at our Buckingham office, providing opportunities for professional growth and development in the ever-evolving field of IT security. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your contributions and supports your career aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior IT Operations Engineer in Buckingham
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Pen Test Partners, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Pen Test Partners
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Pen Test Partners. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior IT Operations Engineer in Buckingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Pen Test Partners insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Pen Test Partners that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pen Test Partners
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Pen Test Partners to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Pen Test Partners.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
