Lead AWS DevOps Engineer

About The Role
Hippo is a rapidly growing digital consultancy passionate about building and delivering transformative digital solutions. We are recruiting for a Lead DevOps Engineer to join our Hippo Herd as part of our Managed Services Team. We work at the intersection of strategy, design, and technology to solve complex problems and create lasting value. Our collaborative and agile culture empowers our teams to make a genuine impact. As a Lead DevOps Engineer in our Managed Services Team, you will play an important role in making Hippo the best Consultancy out there. You will be a leader and trusted advisor, responsible for shaping the architectural vision and technical strategy for both our clients and our internal practice. You will influence C-suite level stakeholders, define architectural standards, and help to drive our technical direction in a high-impact, influential capacity. You will act as a Lead Consultant providing technical expertise in DevOps and engineering practices both internally and to our clients. Lead DevOps Engineers at Hippo are experts in their field who provide strategic technical guidance and hands-on leadership within squads and the wider Hippo community. Our solutions empower our customers to build and support secure, scalable, and well-engineered systems. We leverage deep data insights and continuous innovation to deliver awesome platforms that allow our customers to get the most from their digital services. The Lead DevOps Engineer (Managed Services) will be a key player and implementer in this mission. There is an on-call requirement as part of our Managed Services Team. All applicants must be willing to be part of the rota. Please note we are looking for candidates who are looking for growth at the Lead level; therefore, the advertised salary band represents the entry point for this level, allowing for clear progression within the role, which we are very keen to support.
Your Role in a NutshellHelp define and evangelise the architectural vision, standards, and best practices across the entire Hippo Digital delivery practice. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, including C-level executives, to guide their long-term technical strategy and digital transformation initiatives. Lead complex and strategic technical engagements, providing oversight and quality assurance for automated infrastructure. Mentor and coach our team of DevOps engineers and senior engineers, helping them grow their skills and impact. Drive pre-sales and business development activities, leading the technical response to bids and shaping new opportunities. Contribute to Hippo Digital's thought leadership through public speaking, writing, and community engagement. Act as a technical authority, making and communicating key architectural decisions that impact multiple projects or clients. Lead in the recruitment of other engineers and ensure Hippo’s Managed Services, DevOps and Engineering communities contribute at a strategic level.
Skills and experience that you needEssential ExperienceExtensive, senior-level experience as a DevOps or Technical Architect, with a proven track record of leading large-scale digital transformations. Expert proficiency with AWS cloud services and designing complex architectures, including multi-cloud strategies. Expertise in Python for advanced automation and scripting. Deep, strategic understanding of cloud-native technology stacks, with hands-on experience in Kubernetes (EKS) and advanced CI/CD tooling. Exceptional skills in Infrastructure-as-Code, with extensive experience using Terraform for complex, repeatable deployments. Proven ability to influence and communicate effectively with C-suite and executive-level stakeholders. Expert-level knowledge of security, networking, and governance principles in a cloud context. Experience in a consultancy environment, including contributing to pre-sales and business growth. Mastery of Agile methods and their application across large, distributed teams. Proven record of providing technical leadership and mentoring to other engineers and architects. Eligible for SC Clearance. Desirable ExperienceSignificant experience delivering high-profile GOV/NHS or global consultancy projects.
What makes us greatAlongside working with some of the most talented people out there and on-top of a competitive salary, which we’re transparent about from the outset, you can also expect a range of

benefits:
Contributory Pension Scheme (Hippo 6% & Employee 2%)25 Days Holiday plus UK Public HolidaysPerkbox access for a wide range of discountsCritical illness coverLife assurance and death in service coverVolunteer daysCycle-to-work scheme for the avid cyclistsSalary sacrifice electric vehicles schemeSeason ticket loansFinancial and general wellbeing sessionsFlexible benefits scheme with options of:Private health coverPrivate dental coverAdditional company pension contributionsAdditional holidays (up to an extra 2 days)Wellbeing contributionCharity