Staff Engineer (Platform Engineer)
Rate: £535 per day inside IR35
Security Clearance: SC (Active within last 6 months required)
Initial Contract: 6 months
Nationality: UK nationals only
Location: Portsmouth (Hybrid - 2 days every other fortnight onsite, remainder remote)
Sector: Public sector
Role Overview
A senior platform engineering role with a strong DevSecOps focus, combining hands‑on engineering delivery with technical leadership. The role is approximately 60% technical leadership (guiding direction, supporting the team, and shaping solutions) and 40% hands‑on engineering delivery.
The environment includes both modernisation of existing platforms and maintenance of current systems across two platforms at different maturity stages.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and contribute to DevSecOps practices, including CI/CD, automation, and security scanning
- Design and implement automation and containerisation solutions
- Work hands‑on with Kubernetes, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines
- Develop and maintain scripts and automation using Bash/Linux and Python
- Support secure software development practices, including work in restricted/air‑gapped environments
- Contribute to platform modernisation and operational stability
- Integrate and support AI/ML models within platform environments
- Promote and embed DevOps culture across engineering teams
- Work in hybrid cloud environments
Technical Skills & Experience
- Strong experience in DevSecOps (CI/CD, automation, security tooling)
- Advanced Scripting skills in Python and Bash/Linux
- Kubernetes and Docker containerisation experience
- CI/CD pipeline design and implementation
- Apache Kafka experience
- Experience working in secure or restricted environments (including air‑gapped systems)
- Exposure to AI/ML model integration (core requirement)
- Strong solution design and problem‑solving mindset
- Experience working across hybrid cloud environments
Role Scope
- Senior‑level engineering role with technical leadership responsibilities (SFIA 6)
- Focus on modernising existing platforms and supporting live environments
- Balance of hands‑on engineering and strategic technical direction
Security & Eligibility Requirements
- Security clearance required (UK government clearance level)
- Must be eligible for UK security clearance
- UK nationals only
- Experience working in regulated or secure environments is highly desirable
