Senior Systems Engineer (Secondment/Fixed Term Contract)

Department Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Location: Kidlington, Home Address (Hybrid)

Rank/Grade: TVP ICT 3S Band 3S, circa £47,195 per annum, plus benefits

Part/Full Time: Full Time - All roles are available for flexible working including job sharing and part-time unless there are legitimate operational / business reasons why this cannot be accommodated.

Secondment/Fixed Term Contract for 12 Months

Exciting challenges lie ahead—new digital technologies and innovative ways of working are transforming how we protect our communities and bring people to justice. As part of this journey, we are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer with a cloud-first mindset to help shape and deliver our evolving technology landscape.

We place a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of our people. A range of professional support services is available, including a dedicated Welfare team, ensuring that colleagues are supported both professionally and personally.

In this role, you will provide expert leadership, design authority, and quality assurance across core infrastructure platforms, with a strong focus on modern cloud technologies and hybrid environments. You will lead the design, delivery, and continual improvement of high-value technology solutions aligned to organisational priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing, implementing, and supporting solutions across Microsoft Entra (hybrid identity), Exchange (on-premises and/or online), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and Azure cloud technologies.
• Driving a cloud-first approach, modernising legacy platforms and promoting scalable, secure, and resilient architectures.
• Managing and optimising Azure cost management to ensure value for money and efficient consumption.
• Leveraging AI tools and automation to enhance operational efficiency, support decision-making, and improve service delivery.
• Providing expert technical assurance, producing high-quality documentation, and ensuring alignment with best practices and standards.
• Designing and validating disaster recovery and business continuity processes in line with organisational policies.
• Taking responsibility for the full production lifecycle of platforms, including installation, configuration, upgrades, maintenance, and continuous improvement.

The role focuses on delivering measurable improvements in service availability, performance, and cost efficiency. The role requires the ability to travel across multiple locations in support of both Forces. Flexibility is essential, including occasional unsocial hours and lone working scenarios, where public transport may not be suitable. A full UK driving licence is required.

We are committed to supporting our people. Alongside meaningful and impactful work, you will benefit from access to a dedicated Welfare team and professional support services, and a culture that promotes work‑life balance, wellbeing, and inclusion, with flexible working approaches where operationally possible.

We are looking for someone who brings strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, and a collaborative mindset to work effectively across teams and partners. You will demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking capability in complex environments, with a proactive and adaptable approach to changing priorities and emerging technologies, alongside a commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and professional development.

If you are a permanent member of staff applying for this role, please note it will be offered on a secondment basis. Important: All secondments must be supported in writing by your Line Manager and Head of Department/Commander or Deputy. Please attach written approval from your line manager and Head of Department in your application. If the secondment is not supported then the role may be offered on a fixed term contract basis, but this has implications including loss of continuous service protections.

Please note: Shift allowance, on-call or other job related allowances from the previous role will not be protected unless they are attached to the new role for the duration of the secondment. If you have not held residency in the UK for the last 5 years, we will not be able to process an application from you. Please attach a CV to apply for this role.

As part of the Thames Valley Police family, you will enjoy a fantastic range of benefits including 24 days annual leave per annum, pro‑rata for part time (plus Bank Holidays), flexible working conditions, a wide range of lifestyle discounts, career development opportunities and have the option to join a local government pension scheme.

The closing date for enquiries and receipt of completed applications is Sunday 7 June 2026.

At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities. Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission. As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities.

We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference. We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card.

All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.