At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide top-notch technical support for Windows desktop solutions in a secure environment.
- Company: Join Sopra Steria, a leader in Aerospace, Defence and Security digital solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health cash plan, life assurance, and a pension.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available to promote work/life balance.
- Why this job: Step up your IT career and make a real impact on national security.
- Qualifications: Experience with Windows 10/11 and knowledge of Active Directory and patch management.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Ready to take your IT career to the next level and work on secure, high-impact environments? We’re looking for two enthusiastic Desktop Support Engineers to join our growing 2nd Line support team in Gloucestershire. Following internal promotions, these roles are key backfills that will strengthen the resilience of our team and support critical service delivery.
You’ll be working on a Windows desktop estate within Aerospace, Defence and Security, gaining hands-on experience with enterprise technologies in a fast-paced and highly secure environment. This is a great opportunity if you’re currently in a 1st Line role and ready to step up, or if you’re a 2nd Line engineer looking to deepen your technical expertise.
The team provides cover between 8:00am and 5:00pm, with flexibility to start and finish earlier where required. The service operates in a 24/7 environment, with participation in a 1-in-6 on-call rota. Engineers receive an on-call allowance for the duty week, plus enhanced overtime rates of 1.5x standard pay for Saturdays and 2x standard pay for Sundays. During on-call periods, engineers are required to carry a pager and mobile phone at all times and be available to respond to incidents as needed.
Due to the highly secure nature of this work, candidates must either hold current Developed Vetting (DV) clearance or be eligible and willing to undergo the Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV). This is an office-based role in Gloucestershire. We do, however, support flexible working patterns where possible, including compressed hours such as working five days over four.
What you'll be doing:
- Provide in-depth technical support for Windows desktop solutions, troubleshooting issues and performing root cause analysis through to resolution.
- Manage virtual desktop infrastructures within Citrix XenDesktop.
- Test and release Windows desktop security patches, ensuring system integrity.
- Create and maintain automated desktop builds using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT).
- Maintain Active Directory (AD) and Group Policy Objects (GPO) across the desktop estate.
- Respond to customer queries promptly and escalate issues in line with established procedures.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience supporting Windows 10 and Windows 11 desktop environments.
- Knowledge of Windows Server 2019/2022 including Active Directory (AD), Group Policy Object (GPO) and PowerShell.
- Understanding of patch management and deployment processes.
- Experience with technologies such as Microsoft Exchange, VMware, Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and remote access or VPNs.
- Understanding of networking and security concepts including firewalls, proxies, antivirus tools, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS).
- Ability to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities within a desktop or network environment.
It would be great if you had:
- Citrix Certified Associate Virtualisation (CCA-V) or Citrix Certified Associate – App Delivery and Security (CCA-P).
- Experience supporting Windows 10/11 upgrades and software packaging.
- Experience with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) User Experience Virtualisation (UE-V).
- Familiarity with ITIL v4 service management practices.
If you’re 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!
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent.
Location: Gloucestershire.
Security Clearance Level: Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV) – cleared or eligible.
Salary: Up to £40000 with flex dependent on experience.
Benefits: 25 days annual leave with the choice to buy additional days, health cash plan, life assurance, and pension.
Although this role is advertised as full-time, we believe that flexibility at work can promote work/life balance, increase your motivation, reduce stress and improve performance and productivity. We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.
Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us? Sopra Steria’s Aerospace, Defence and Security business designs, develops and deploys digital solutions to Central Government clients. The work we do makes a real difference to the client’s goal of National Security, and we operate in a unique and privileged environment. We are given time for professional development activities, and we coach and mentor our colleagues, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. We foster a culture in which employees feel valued and supported and have pride in their work for the customer, delivering outstanding rates of customer satisfaction in the UK’s most complex safety- and security-critical markets.
Desktop Support Engineer - 2nd Line 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 Desktop Support Engineer - 2nd Line
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Sopra Steria values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
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Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Sopra Steria might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
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Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Sopra Steria!
✨Direct Apply to Sopra Steria
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We think you need these skills to ace Desktop Support Engineer - 2nd Line
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Sopra Steria.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Sopra Steria. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
