At a Glance
- Tasks: Support mission-critical applications and solve complex technical challenges in defence systems.
- Company: Join Thorn SDS, a leading Managed Service Provider in Defence and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health benefits, and funded training opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth and security clearance opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact on UK defence technology while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in application support at SFIA Level 3 or 4 is essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Help keep the UK's defence systems running when they're needed most.
Are you an experienced
Applications Engineer who enjoys solving technical challenges and supporting business-critical systems?
We're looking for an
Applications Engineer (SFIA Level 3/4) to join a nationally significant UK Defence programme delivering next-generation deployable IT services.
This is an opportunity to work on secure, mission-critical technologies that support defence operations both in the UK and overseas.
If you're looking for a role where your technical expertise has real-world impact, this could be your next challenge.
About Thorn SDS
Thorn SDS is a specialist Managed Service Provider headquartered in Alton, Hampshire.
We work exclusively across the Space, Defence and Security sectors, connecting exceptional technical professionals with some of the UK's most innovative and important programmes.
About the Programme
You’ll be joining a major transformation programme replacing legacy communication and information systems with secure, resilient and modern platforms.
As part of the Through Life Support (TLS) team, you’ll help ensure these systems remain secure, available and fully operational throughout their lifecycle.
The Role
As an
Applications Engineer (SFIA Level 3 or Level 4) , you’ll provide expert support for a portfolio of mission-critical applications, ensuring they remain reliable, secure and available in demanding operational environments.
Working alongside Service Desk teams, Resolver Groups, infrastructure specialists and software engineers, you’ll investigate complex technical issues, deploy updates and help continuously improve application performance.
Whether you’re an experienced Level 3 Engineer looking to develop your career or an established Level 4 Engineer ready to take ownership of complex technical challenges, you’ll play a key role within a highly skilled engineering team.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Providing Level 3 or Level 4 technical support for enterprise applications.
- Diagnosing, troubleshooting and resolving complex application issues.
- Deploying software updates, patches and enhancements across operational environments.
- Working closely with Resolver Groups and engineering teams to resolve escalated incidents.
- Supporting software testing, validation and release activities.
- Monitoring application performance, availability and security.
- Producing and maintaining technical documentation, support procedures and knowledge articles.
- Ensuring services are delivered in line with ITIL best practice and programme standards.
- Contributing to the ongoing improvement of application support processes.
What We're Looking For
You’ll have experience supporting enterprise or mission-critical applications and enjoy working in technically challenging environments.
We’re particularly interested in candidates with experience in
- Application support or engineering at SFIA Level 3 or Level 4.
- Diagnosing and resolving application issues.
- Software deployment, patching and application lifecycle management.
- ITIL service management, incident and problem management.
- Secure, regulated or high-availability environments.
- Defence, MOD or other security-sensitive sectors (desirable).
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting and communication skills.
You’ll also be comfortable working full‑time onsite in Corsham within a collaborative engineering environment.
What's In It For You?
Alongside a competitive, negotiable salary, you'll receive
- 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
- Employer pension contributions.
- Group Life Insurance.
- Health & Dental Cashback Plan.
- Wellbeing services including GP access, physiotherapy and lifestyle savings.
- Thorn Wellbeing Support Contribution.
- Employee Referral Scheme.
- Funded training and professional development opportunities.
- The opportunity to work on one of the UK's most important defence technology programmes alongside highly experienced engineering teams.
- Security Requirements
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and either already hold, or be eligible to obtain, a high level of UK National Security Clearance.
Please note that, due to the nature of our work, nationality, previous nationalities and country of birth may affect eligibility for certain security‑cleared positions.
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Applications Engineer (L3/L4) in Corsham employer: Thorn SDS Ltd
Thorn SDS is an exceptional employer that values its employees by fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture within the Space, Defence and Security sectors. With a focus on professional development, employees benefit from training opportunities, hybrid working arrangements, and comprehensive wellbeing support, making it an ideal place for those seeking to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Applications Engineer (L3/L4) in Corsham
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Thorn SDS Ltd or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Thorn SDS Ltd.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Thorn SDS Ltd.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Thorn SDS Ltd that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Applications Engineer (L3/L4) in Corsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Thorn SDS Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Thorn SDS Ltd and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thorn SDS Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Thorn SDS Ltd uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
