At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to automate processes and enhance system performance in aerospace and defence.
- Company: Sopra Steria designs digital solutions for Central Government, focusing on national security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, a £5,400 car allowance, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes environment while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Strong sysadmin skills and proficiency in programming languages like Python or Java required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 78000 £ per year.
4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Are you ready to make a real impact in a dynamic, high-stakes environment?
We're looking for an Automation Engineer to join our team within the Aerospace, Defence, and Security sector. This is your chance to blend your software engineering and operations skills to drive automation, monitor system performance, and enhance infrastructure at scale.
In this vital role, you will ensure our systems are high‑performing, resilient, scalable, and secure. Your expertise will help power some of the most critical operations in the country. This position supports our secure accounts, ideally you will already hold active SC clearance or higher. There is a requirement to attend site up to five days a week with scope to work remotely at our offices in Hampshire. We can offer great career progression, flexible benefits and excellent development opportunities.
What you will be doing
- Collaborating as part of a cross‑functional team to provide operational and engineering support for a large‑scale secure cloud service.
- Developing workflows and tooling to automate processes and operations. Ensuring routine tasks are consistent, repeatable and scalable.
- Provisioning, managing and optimising infrastructure.
- Maintaining observability of the platform. Responding to alerts and incidents to ensure availability of systems, interoperability and applications. Completing root cause analysis.
- Continually improving systems and processes to improve the efficiency of the service.
- Participating in change management and capacity planning activities.
What you will bring
- Experience in vRealize Orchestrator / Aria Orchestrator.
- Windows and Linux sysadmin expertise.
- Proficient with one or more programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, C#, C++, Go or Java.
- Competent with scripting languages such as PowerShell, Bash or SQL.
- Background working with virtualization platforms to include VMWare Cloud Foundation stack or Proxmox.
- Familiarity with Configuration Management and Infrastructure as Code (IaC), including supporting tooling such as Terraform and Ansible.
- Experience building Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, along with supporting tooling such as Gitlab.
- Knowledge of system interoperability and application interfaces, e.g. RESTful, API, Swagger.
It would be great if you had
- Comprehension of Event‑Driven Architecture (EDA) and Microservices, to ensure the service remains modular and responsive.
- Enterprise Containerisation and Orchestration insight, including Docker and Kubernetes.
- Understanding of methodologies such as Agile, DevSecOps, Scrum and Kanban, as well as the ability to put them into practice.
- Awareness of the Secure By Design framework with the ability to put it into practice.
- Networking and database administration know‑how.
If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply – we’d love to hear from you!
Although this role is advertised as full‑time, we support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. If you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.
Employment Type
- Full‑time
Location
- Farnborough – on‑site at least three days, likely five days a week
Security Clearance Level
- Eligible for SC and DV clearance
Internal Recruiter
- Lee
Salary
- Dependent on experience
Benefits
- £5,400 car allowance
- 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days
- Private medical, life assurance, pension
- Generous flexible benefits fund – 3% of base salary
Seniority level
- Entry level
Job function
- Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
- Professional Services
Automation Engineer in Farnborough employer: Sopra Steria
Sopra Steria is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for a Data Security Technical Lead to influence enterprise-wide data security strategy while working remotely. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive benefits including a generous car allowance and private medical insurance, and a collaborative work culture that values innovation, employees are empowered to grow their careers in a supportive environment dedicated to making a real difference in national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation Engineer in Farnborough
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Aria Automation, Terraform, and CI/CD pipelines. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools during interviews will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have in high-stakes environments, particularly within the Aerospace, Defence, or Security sectors. This will show that you understand the unique challenges and responsibilities associated with this type of work.
✨Tip Number 3
If you don’t already hold SC clearance, research the process for obtaining it and be prepared to discuss your eligibility for DV clearance. Showing initiative in understanding security requirements can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the field through platforms like LinkedIn or industry events. Engaging with current employees or those in similar roles can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Automation Engineer in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Focus on your expertise in Windows and Linux sysadmin, programming languages, and automation tools mentioned in the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for automation engineering and your understanding of the Aerospace, Defence, and Security sector. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to drive automation and improve system performance.
Highlight Security Clearance:If you already hold SC clearance or are eligible for DV clearance, make sure to mention this prominently in your application. This is a crucial requirement for the role and can set you apart from other candidates.
Showcase Continuous Learning:Emphasise any ongoing professional development or certifications related to automation, cloud services, or security practices. This demonstrates your commitment to staying current in a rapidly evolving field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Windows and Linux sysadmin tasks, as well as your proficiency in programming languages like Python or Java. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented automation or optimised infrastructure.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Expect questions that assess your ability to respond to alerts and incidents. Prepare examples of how you've conducted root cause analysis and improved system efficiency in previous roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Tools
Research the enterprise orchestration tools mentioned in the job description, such as Aria Automation or Rundeck. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Understand the Importance of Security Clearance
Since this role requires SC and DV clearance, be ready to discuss your eligibility and any previous experience working in secure environments. This shows your understanding of the critical nature of the role and the trust placed in you.
