At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex incident resolution and infrastructure improvements in a dynamic council environment.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council, supporting vital public services with a collaborative team.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and a strong focus on your professional growth.
- Other info: Face-to-face interviews at the Civic Centre; excellent career development opportunities await!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community services while tackling meaningful technical challenges.
- Qualifications: Proven 3rd line infrastructure experience and strong skills in Microsoft and hybrid environments.
Southampton City Council is recruiting a highly experienced Infrastructure Engineer to provide third line (Level 3) technical expertise across a complex, enterprise-scale infrastructure environment. This role is aimed at seasoned infrastructure engineers with strong hybrid Microsoft and data-centre experience, typically gained in large corporate or public-sector environments.
About the role:
- 3rd Line Infrastructure Engineer supporting a hybrid Microsoft and datacentre environment.
- You will lead on complex incident resolution, infrastructure improvements, automation and lifecycle management across critical council services.
- This is a hands-on third line role supporting systems that underpin vital council operations and frontline public services.
- You will be expected to troubleshoot complex cross platform issues, implement service improvements, and ensure infrastructure platforms remain secure, resilient and fully supported.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide third line (Level 3) technical support and problem resolution across infrastructure platforms.
- Support and enhance a hybrid Microsoft estate including Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID and Exchange Hybrid.
- Administer and maintain on prem Active Directory, Azure AD Connect, DNS, DHCP and Group Policy.
- Support Windows Server infrastructure (2019–2025) and Linux server estates.
- Manage and support virtualisation platforms including VMware and Hyper-V.
- Support end-user and server patching via SCCM (Microsoft Configuration Manager) and Intune.
- Monitor infrastructure and applications using SCOM and respond to alerts and performance issues.
- Support Citrix virtual application and desktop environments.
- Support enterprise SAN storage platforms (IBM FlashSystem or equivalent).
- Support backup and recovery platforms, including restore testing and DR processes.
- Develop, maintain and run PowerShell scripts and automation, including runbooks and runbook workers.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation, runbooks and standards suitable for a local government environment.
- Work with vendors, project managers and service teams to deliver infrastructure changes and improvements.
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven 3rd line infrastructure experience in an enterprise environment.
- Strong experience with Microsoft 365, Exchange Online and Exchange Hybrid.
- Hands-on experience with Azure / Entra ID and hybrid identity integration (Azure AD Connect).
- Deep understanding of on prem Active Directory and Windows Server infrastructure.
- Experience supporting Windows Server 2019–2025 and Linux servers.
- Experience administering SCCM (ConfigMgr), Intune and SCOM.
- Strong PowerShell scripting skills including automation and runbook development.
- Experience with VMware and/or Hyper-V virtualisation.
- Experience supporting SAN storage and enterprise backup platforms.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex, multisystem issues across cloud and on prem platforms.
Important – role clarity:
This position is a genuine third line infrastructure role. It is not suitable for candidates whose experience is limited to first or second line support, or who have only worked in standalone Microsoft 365 environments without on prem or hybrid infrastructure exposure.
Please note that all interviews for this role will be conducted face to face at the Civic Centre, Southampton.
Why work for Southampton City Council?
- You will work on systems that directly support residents and frontline council services, within a stable and collaborative public-sector environment.
- We offer meaningful technical challenges, long-term platform ownership, and a strong focus on security, resilience and service improvement.
- We support flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enabling employees to balance working from home with regular attendance in the workplace, subject to service requirements.
- We are committed to helping you grow and succeed through a wide range of learning, development, coaching and mentoring opportunities.
Your application or CV should clearly demonstrate recent hands-on experience with the technologies listed above and include examples of complex technical issues you have resolved.
What we can offer you:
- Excellent with 15.2% employer contribution.
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
- Flexible working options (role-dependent).
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.
For further information on our benefits package please visit.
Infrastructure Engineer in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Southampton City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the community. As an Emergency Telecare Advisor, you will benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring your growth in a role that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable residents. With a commitment to teamwork and resilience, you'll find a rewarding environment that values compassion and quick decision-making in a dynamic 24/7 service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Infrastructure Engineer in Southampton
✨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 Southampton City Council values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Southampton City Council 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.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
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 Southampton City Council!
✨Direct Apply to Southampton City Council
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Southampton City Council website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Infrastructure Engineer in Southampton
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 Southampton City Council.
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 Southampton City Council. 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 Southampton City Council
✨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.
