At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain secure, scalable platform services for defence applications.
- Company: Thorn SDS, a niche Managed Service Provider in the Space, Defence and Security sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, health cashback plan, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and contribute to significant defence projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security-critical systems while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Platform Engineer with strong skills in cloud platforms and automation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Thorn SDS is a niche Managed Service Provider with a Head Office based in Alton, Hampshire, who are committed to enabling technology organisations and professionals to thrive within the Space, Defence and Security sectors. We are currently looking for an experienced Platform Engineer to work onsite, 5 days per week, at a secure site in Hereford.
About the Role
This role is critical in designing, building, and maintaining secure, scalable, and resilient platform services that support defence applications and operational capabilities. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team across DevOps, cybersecurity, software development, and systems engineering, helping to deliver infrastructure and platform solutions for national security-critical systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement secure, automated, and scalable platform environments to support software delivery and operational systems.
- Manage infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Pulumi).
- Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins, Azure DevOps) to streamline deployments across environments.
- Collaborate with development teams to enable secure, repeatable environments for application hosting, testing, and delivery.
- Implement and maintain container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker) and serverless infrastructure where applicable.
- Monitor platform performance, availability, and security using observability tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK).
- Ensure platforms meet stringent defence compliance standards (e.g., NIST 800-53, MOD JSP 604, IRAP, or DISA STIGs).
- Lead or contribute to threat modelling, incident response, and platform hardening activities.
- Support legacy system migration to modern platforms in both connected and air-gapped environments.
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience as a Platform Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, or DevOps Engineer.
- Strong skills in Linux and/or Windows server administration, scripting (e.g., Bash, Python, PowerShell), and automation.
- Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, MODCloud, or on-prem private clouds).
- Deep understanding of containerisation, orchestration (Kubernetes/OpenShift), and networking concepts.
- Familiarity with defence security standards and controls (e.g., JSP 604, ISO 27001, NCSC guidance).
- Experience working in Agile/Scrum or scaled Agile environments.
Desirable Skills
- Certifications: CKA, CKAD, AWS/Azure DevOps Engineer, CISSP, Security+, or similar.
- Experience with secure enclave design, cross-domain solutions, or air-gapped systems.
- Familiarity with secrets management (e.g., HashiCorp Vault), service mesh (e.g., Istio), or Zero Trust Architecture.
- Exposure to defence or intelligence domains, either in MOD, defence primes, or high-assurance systems integrators.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience and clearance level.
- Opportunities to work on nationally significant defence platforms and systems.
- 25 days Annual Leave (plus Bank Holidays).
- Employer Pension Contributions.
- Group Life Insurance.
- Dental Cashback Plan.
- Health Cashback Plan.
- Wellbeing Services (includes GP, Physio and Savings Benefits).
- Thorn Wellbeing Support Contribution.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Supported Training & Personal Development Opportunities.
If you have the expertise to support this requirement and are eager to make an impact in a critical platform role, please apply today. All applicants must hold the Right to Work in the UK and already possess, or be eligible to obtain, National Security Clearance.
Due to the nature of our business, your nationality, previous nationalities, and country of birth may influence the types of roles for which you are eligible. For more details, visit the GOV.UK website.
Senior Platform Engineer in Hereford employer: Thorn SDS
Thorn SDS is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Alton, Hampshire, where you can contribute to critical national security projects within the Space, Defence, and Security sectors. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive benefits including 25 days of annual leave, health cashback plans, and supported training opportunities, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation that empowers our team members to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Platform Engineer in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even local tech events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in platform engineering and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions and scenarios related to platform engineering. Practice explaining your thought process and problem-solving approach, as this will help you stand out during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Platform Engineer in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Platform Engineer. Highlight your experience with platform services, automation, and any relevant security standards. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Projects:Include specific projects where you've designed or maintained platform environments. If you've worked with IaC tools or CI/CD pipelines, let us know! Real-world examples help us understand your hands-on experience.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thorn SDS
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Terraform, Kubernetes, and CI/CD tools. Brush up on your scripting skills too, as they’ll likely ask you to demonstrate your knowledge in Linux or Windows server administration.
✨Understand Defence Standards
Familiarise yourself with defence compliance standards such as NIST 800-53 and JSP 604. Being able to discuss how you’ve implemented these standards in past roles will show that you’re not just technically skilled but also aware of the critical nature of the work.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working within a multi-disciplinary team, be prepared to share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with developers and other teams. Highlight any Agile/Scrum experiences to demonstrate your adaptability in fast-paced environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities. Think about past challenges you’ve faced in platform engineering and how you approached them. This will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills during the interview.
