Lead Application Operations Engineer

We are currently seeking a talented Lead Application Operations Engineer to join our Applications & Platforms branch, part of the Chief Digital Office, where we are responsible for delivering, supporting, and managing our essential business applications and platforms. You will lead a team of senior engineers, providing support for our critical systems and ensuring optimal performance.

In this key role, you will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, applying your technical expertise and strong problem‐solving skills to resolve complex, high‐priority incidents. You will play a vital part in maintaining application availability and reliability through effective monitoring, maintenance, and configuration oversight.

We are seeking experienced IT leaders with a broad technical background in supporting infrastructure, cloud, and enterprise systems. The ideal candidate will be adept at navigating complex digital environments and communicating effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both technical and non‐technical. Please note, this position is not within a DevOps capacity. If you\’re ready to lead in a fast paced, evolving environment, we want to hear from you.

A Lead Application Operations Engineer defines the application strategy and the strategy for security administration.

At This Role Level, You Will

liaise with leads within IT operations on how applications are performing and changes that need to be put in place

potentially manage and maintain certain aspects of an application (depending on the complexity and size of a project, and the likely impact it will have on the business)

Responsibilities

Manage service components to ensure they meet business needs and performance targets

Lead the investigation and resolution of complex incidents

Take accountability for issues that occur and be proactive in searching for potential problems

Initiate and monitor actions to investigate patterns and trends to resolve problems

Effectively consult specialists where required

Determine the appropriate remedy and assist with its implementation

Determine preventative measures

Take inputs and establish coherent frameworks that work

Demonstrate knowledge of the life cycle or capability elements of ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)

Draft and maintain procedures and documentation

Understand the core technical concepts related to the role, and apply them with guidance

Identify process improvements and contribute to the definition of best practice

Offer recommendations on the best tools and methods to use

Success ProfilesWe use an assessment framework called \’Success Profiles\’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

Essential Experience

Demonstrable experience leading teams in managing and supporting a diverse portfolio of business critical applications, with the ability to act as the senior technical escalation point and deliver advanced technical support during complex incidents.

Expert in diagnosing and resolving issues across complex enterprise environments and multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, networking, SaaS, and AWS public cloud services.

Proven ability to drive continuous service improvement by challenging established practices with evidence‐based strategies, including delivering large‐scale projects in line with methodologies such as ITIL, Prince 2, or Agile.

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

Technical / Professional Skills:This role is aligned to Lead application operations engineer within the Digital, Data and Technology Profession.

These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Application operations engineer – Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework.

How To ApplyApply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words ) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Technical Assessment. The interview will further assess the Experience and Behaviours listed in the job advert and the Technical Assessment will evaluate the Technical Skills relevant to the role.

Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Technical Assessment stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack, which will outline the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Expected Timeline (subject to change)Sift – from 3rd April 2026

Interview – w/c 13th April 2026

Reserve ListIn the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months .

About UsSocial Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

DDaT Pay SupplementThis post is part of the Scottish Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) profession and as a member of the profession you will join the professional development system. This post currently attracts a £5,000 annual DDAT pay supplement, applicable after a 3 months competency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly and there is one currently underway. Changes will be communicated when the review is concluded.

Working PatternOur standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checksSuccessful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre‐employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality StatementSocial Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Right to Work in the UKSocial Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice on Gov.UK – Skilled Worker visa: Overview – GOV.UK.

Further InformationThe successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotland\’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition – Recruitment – Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk).

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner\’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.

Apply before 23:55 on 25th March 2026Contact Name – Resourcing Team

Contact email – Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

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