At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to deliver and deploy software solutions for the Royal Navy Combat Systems.
- Company: Be part of QinetiQ, a leader in defence technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and health benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Work with cutting-edge tech and brilliant minds to protect lives.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
The predicted salary is between 56360 - 62500 £ per year.
Package: £56,360 - £62,500 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits
Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a DevOps Engineer at our Portsmouth site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.
The Role: As a Platform Engineer, you will play a critical role in delivering and deploying software solutions that support Royal Navy Combat Systems through the Naval Combat Systems Integration Support Service (NCSISS). You'll help ensure complex systems are securely integrated, tested and deployed before operational use, directly contributing to UK defence capability.
Day-to-day, you'll work closely with software engineers, systems engineers and defence customers to develop, manage and optimise CI/CD pipelines, automate deployments and maintain secure containerised environments. You'll be part of a collaborative team solving complex technical challenges across integration, testing and operational deployment activities.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing and configuring CI/CD pipelines
- Deploying and supporting containerised applications within secure environments
- Investigating and resolving deployment and infrastructure issues
- Developing automation solutions to improve delivery and operational efficiency
- Collaborating with QinetiQ, BAE Systems and MOD stakeholders across the NCSISS programme
- Producing technical documentation and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives
Essential experience of the Platform Engineer:
- Strong experience with Kubernetes and container orchestration platforms
- Experience with Helm, Ansible and infrastructure automation
- Working knowledge of Docker and/or Podman
- Experience building, maintaining and supporting CI/CD pipelines
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently
- Experience working within DevOps, Platform Engineering or Software Engineering environments
Essential qualifications for the Platform Engineer:
- Degree-level qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrable experience
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC)
This role is 37 hours per week based at our Portsmouth site with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week.
PTP Portsmouth Technology Park (PTP) is one of QinetiQ’s key facilities, focusing on advanced technology development and engineering services. It is dedicated to research and development, ensuring that complex systems are designed, integrated, and tested effectively to meet operational requirements. The facility utilises sophisticated modelling and simulation techniques to analyse and predict performance.
Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.
Our Recruitment Process: At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing internal_recruitment@qinetiq.com. One of our recruitment team will contact you.
Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.
Why Join QinetiQ? As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.
Our Benefits:
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
- Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
- Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
- We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
- Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community
Platform Engineer in Portsmouth employer: QinetiQ
At QinetiQ, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Boscombe Down facility, where innovation meets defence technology. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our inclusive culture, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to meaningful projects that protect lives. Join us and be part of a diverse team that thrives on collaboration and creativity, all while enjoying the unique advantages of working at a site renowned for its aviation and aerospace capabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Platform Engineer in Portsmouth
✨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 QinetiQ 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 QinetiQ.
✨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 QinetiQ.
✨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 QinetiQ 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 Platform Engineer in Portsmouth
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 QinetiQ.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at QinetiQ 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 QinetiQ
✨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 QinetiQ 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.
