Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

Reading Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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XPS Pensions Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support Azure-based systems, manage servers, and ensure network security.
  • Company: Join XPS Group, a leading UK consultancy in pensions and insurance with over 2000 employees.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible holidays, healthcare plans, and paid volunteer days.
  • Why this job: Be part of exciting cloud migration projects in a dynamic, inclusive workplace.
  • Qualifications: IT qualifications or experience in infrastructure roles; passion for technology is key.
  • Other info: Remote work with occasional office attendance; opportunities for travel to various sites.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Job description

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

Location Reading

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Grade: Senior Consultant

Remote

REQ

About XPS Group:

XPS Group is a prominent UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.

About the Role:

XPS Group IT provides IT services to all XPS offices located across the UK and Ireland. XPS currently employs 2,000 employees across multiple business areas. XPS have an in-house IT Service Desk, 2ndline, 3rd line and infrastructure engineers. There is a dedicated Cyber Security Team monitoring the security of the network and servers. There is a primary and secondary data centre which uses Hyper-V servers. Around 200 Virtual and 19 physical servers exist across the business.

This role will be remote however there will be some office attendance.

XPS have many large projects in the pipeline, office moves, migration to the cloud, which will mean the department will remain very busy for the next 18 months+. Some of these projects may require you to travel to other XPS sites or the XPS London data centre.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Support the Infrastructure around the Azure based Pension Administration system.
  • Ensure all servers are in monitoring and the monitoring is fit for purpose.
  • Respond to monitoring alerts.
  • Ensure all servers are patched and conduct monthly patching.
  • Perform maintenance on all virtual servers, set-up maintenance plans and proactive monitoring.
  • Keep CMDB database up to date and update capacity planning spreadsheet.
  • Ensure all servers are backed up, check daily for backup failures and resolve.
  • Monitor certificate expiry and update certificates.
  • Test that file restore, server restores, and network failover test are successful.
  • Business critical application support (XPS Radar) which runs on IIS, SQL, SSL certificates and Windows server. This is hosted in Azure.
  • Networking, SD-WAN, switches, routers, Firewalls, load balancer and SonicWALL VPN.
  • The XPS IT strategy is cloud first, more systems will be moving into the cloud over time.

  • Design, advanced support and monitoring of the Azure environment, Office 365, OneDrive, SharePoint Online, Power Automate, Power BI, Intune, MFA and Teams support.
  • ADFS, SAML, WAP, Web servers.
  • Managing mail flow, Office 365 and Mimecast.
  • DRaaS and BaaS with Zerto and Comm Vault (work with existing third party).
  • Perform DR test with DRaaS provider based on the annual DR testing schedule.
  • Test backups work on a regular basis.
  • Provide data for auditors.
  • Azure, Storage accounts, management/deployment of Azure resources.
  • Scripting (Powershell/Terraform)
  • Your Profile:

    Essential:

  • Previous working experience in a similar Cloud Infrastructure Engineer role or similar
  • SQL database experience
  • Strong Microsoft Windows skills
  • Virtualisation skills with Hyper-V
  • The ability to think on your feet. Where there is no solution, research the problem and update the ticket / knowledgebase
  • Strong Azure, O365, Intune, Authentication skills
  • Well-presented and good communication skills
  • A passion for technology with an aim to grow into a mature infrastructure role
  • Reliable, on time with good attendance
  • Must be a team player and work with the various members of IT
  • A can-do attitude is essential. If a user asks a question, the first response should not be no, we should always try to help where we can
  • Ability to be reliable, this role will require some regular out of hours working based on regular maintenance
  • Qualifications:

  • Some IT qualifications, for example: National Diploma, HND or degree in IT. Or equivalent IT qualifications Azure, MCP/MCSA/MCSE or CCNA
  • Desirable:

  • Active Directory / Entra ID experience
  • Previous infrastructure or 3rd line experience
  • Experience maintaining Dell PowerEdge servers
  • Compellent SAN experience
  • Hyper-V cluster experience / Virtual Machine Manager
  • Microsoft Failover clusters
  • Average SQL server administration
  • Competent networking skills
  • Experience with backup technologies
  • ADFS, ADCS
  • DHCP
  • Internal and external DNS
  • Domain sites and trusts
  • MDM with Office 365
  • BitLocker
  • DFS
  • UPS and PDU management
  • Certificate management, (SSL), generate CSRs and apply certificates
  • PowerShell
  • NAS/SAN and iSCSI volume management
  • Previous monitoring management (PRTG)
  • ITIL V3 foundation
  • Maintaining build images
  • Decommissioning infrastructure
  • What We Offer:

    Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days’ holiday with buy/sell flexibility. Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts. We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance, and digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.

    How to Apply:

    Interested candidates should submit applications below or contact Join XPS Group and contribute to a dynamic and inclusive workplace.

    Equal Opportunity Statement:

    XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.

    Eligibility:

    Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, Satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.

    Who are we:

    To find out more please visit:

    Cloud Infrastructure Engineer employer: XPS Pensions Group

    XPS Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a range of benefits including pension matching and healthcare plans. With a strong focus on employee growth, XPS provides opportunities for professional development through engaging projects in cloud migration and infrastructure management, all while fostering a supportive environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
    XPS Pensions Group

    Contact Detail:

    XPS Pensions Group Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Familiarise yourself with Azure and its services, as this role heavily involves managing Azure resources. Consider exploring online courses or certifications that focus on Azure infrastructure to boost your knowledge and confidence.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Brush up on your scripting skills, particularly in PowerShell and Terraform. Being able to demonstrate your ability to automate tasks and manage resources efficiently will set you apart from other candidates.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Network with current employees or professionals in similar roles through platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Prepare for potential technical assessments by practising common scenarios related to server maintenance, backup management, and cloud migrations. This will help you feel more confident and ready to tackle any challenges presented during the interview process.

    We think you need these skills to ace Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

    Azure Administration
    Hyper-V Virtualisation
    Server Monitoring and Maintenance
    Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions
    PowerShell Scripting
    SQL Server Administration
    Networking Skills (SD-WAN, Firewalls, Routers)
    Active Directory / Entra ID Management
    Certificate Management (SSL)
    ITIL V3 Foundation
    Communication Skills
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Team Collaboration
    Attention to Detail
    Time Management

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Cloud Infrastructure Engineer role. Focus on your expertise in Azure, virtualisation, and any specific technologies mentioned in the job description.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for technology and your ability to contribute to XPS Group's goals. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and teamwork.

    Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your IT qualifications, such as Azure certifications or any relevant degrees. Make sure to mention your experience with tools like PowerShell, Hyper-V, and SQL Server, as these are crucial for the role.

    Showcase Soft Skills: In your application, emphasise your communication skills and your ability to work well in a team. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others or resolved issues in previous roles.

    How to prepare for a job interview at XPS Pensions Group

    ✨Understand the Cloud Infrastructure

    Make sure you have a solid grasp of cloud technologies, especially Azure, as this role heavily involves supporting an Azure-based Pension Administration system. Brush up on your knowledge of Azure services and how they integrate with other tools like Office 365 and SharePoint Online.

    ✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

    The job requires thinking on your feet and researching solutions when faced with challenges. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully resolved technical issues or improved processes, demonstrating your proactive approach.

    ✨Highlight Your Team Player Attitude

    XPS Group values collaboration, so be ready to discuss how you've worked effectively within a team. Share instances where you supported colleagues or contributed to group projects, showcasing your can-do attitude and reliability.

    ✨Prepare for Technical Questions

    Expect questions related to your experience with Hyper-V, SQL server administration, and backup technologies. Review key concepts and be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies, as well as any relevant certifications you hold.

    Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
    XPS Pensions Group
    Location: Reading
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