Lead Infrastructure Engineer

Coventry CV1 2WT, Darlington DL1 5QE, London SW1P 3BT, Manchester M1 2WD, Sheffield S1 2FJ

Job Summary
The Department for Education is seeking to recruit IT Infrastructure Engineers to work across multiple endeavours, predominantly in the Microsoft Azure public cloud. We continually seek new & innovative opportunities in our cloud estate for efficiencies, economies of scale and new value to users across established cloud computing platforms to make them better for users, increase value for money and reduce complexity.

Infrastructure Engineers in the Department design, build, operate and support IT infrastructure resources that underpin internal user services and services to the public. If you are successful, you will work as part of a team providing a range of capabilities and may operate across one or more contexts including the following.

• Hosting environments and landing zone management. Security, management, governance and automation of DfE's centrally managed hosting environments and cloud landing zones. Includes design, build, operate and maintain core cloud computing IT infrastructure services, ensuring that they remain available, secure, performant, and that they continue to meet requirements.
• Managed infrastructure service. Build, operate & maintain cloud and on-premises infrastructure resources for business applications. Updates and patching, back-up & restore, security vulnerability management, capacity management, service optimisation, incident resolution, request fulfilment, service controls, and asset management.
• Service improvement. Develop new, and enhance existing IT infrastructure products, services or processes to simplify infrastructure, enhance security, improve reliability & performance, avoid costs, scale & expand, prevent legacy, meet new requirements, or address emergent problem statements.

These posts are in Enterprise Data. Data plays a key role in achieving the department's vision; Within Enterprise Data we are striving to make DfE a data-led organisation, where we can have responsive decisions that leads to better outcomes for all children, young people and adults. Our Infrastructure Engineers help deliver that by working in a multidisciplinary team to provision, support and maintain cloud solutions (through Infrastructure as Code) as directed and according to departmental policy.

Job Description
As a Lead Infrastructure Engineer in the Department for Education you will work within a user centred, agile environment leading and directing Infrastructure Engineers. You will provide technical leadership and support to build, operate and maintain the Department's cloud infrastructure services which underpin all internal business services and services to the public, predominantly within Microsoft Azure environments and landing zones.

Under Direction, You Will Provide Technical Leadership To Deliver Improvements To Modernise How Cloud Resources Are Deployed And Managed, Remove Legacy Ways Of Working, And Deliver Initiatives To Help Mature The Department's Cloud Computing Platform Including Implementing Solution Architectures To Enable Cloud Users To Work In a Consistent Manner. You Will:

• Work with technical architects to translate architectural designs into operable solutions.
• Transform technical requirements into automated processes using modern standards approaches such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Act as an advocate of cloud computing including Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) so that the Department and its partners can embrace the government's Cloud First policy.
• Create and sustain modern deployment and management standards, practices, and techniques for our cloud resources.
• Lead, support, coach, and mentor less experienced Infrastructure Engineers in managing, supporting and maintaining the Department's infrastructure.
• Advocate user-centric, agile approaches which focus on rapid, effective delivery of high-quality digital services.

As a Lead Infrastructure Engineer in the Department for Education you will work within a user centred, agile environment leading and directing Infrastructure Engineers. You will provide technical leadership and support to build, operate and maintain the Department's cloud infrastructure services which underpin all internal business services and services to the public, predominantly within Microsoft Azure environments and landing zones.

Under Direction, You Will Provide Technical Leadership To Deliver Improvements To Modernise How Cloud Resources Are Deployed And Managed, Remove Legacy Ways Of Working, And Deliver Initiatives To Help Mature The Department's Cloud Computing Platform Including Implementing Solution Architectures To Enable Cloud Users To Work In a Consistent Manner. You Will:

• Work with technical architects to translate architectural designs into operable solutions.
• Transform technical requirements into automated processes using modern standards approaches such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Act as an advocate of cloud computing including Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) so that the Department and its partners can embrace the government's Cloud First policy.
• Create and sustain modern deployment and management standards, practices, and techniques for our cloud resources.
• Lead, support, coach, and mentor less experienced Infrastructure Engineers in managing, supporting and maintaining the Department's infrastructure.
• Advocate user-centric, agile approaches which focus on rapid, effective delivery of high-quality digital services.

Person specification

*Essential Criteria*
Applications will be assessed at the sift and interview stages against the following essential criteria:

• Experience of providing technical leadership to motivate, manage and guide a team towards shared goals to design, build, configure, operate and maintain infrastructure resources in Microsoft Azure environments. Technologies include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software, tenants, management groups, subscriptions, identity & access, network topology and connectivity, certificate services, cryptographic key management, availability & performance monitoring, developer collaboration software, virtual desktop, virtual machines and update management.
• Experience leading and designing system integration builds to combine IT infrastructure components to create a consolidated solution; co-ordinating test and build activities across infrastructure services.
• Experience of driving forward the adoption of automation techniques to configure IT infrastructure services, automate processes and extract information.
• Experience of designing, implementing and assuring security controls, options and configuration settings to protect cloud computing services, and to mitigate against security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Experience of developing and contributing to cloud infrastructure design standards, methods and tools; and developing infrastructure designs to ensure the selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and technology.

Desirable Criteria
The following criteria are desirable. Any evidence gathered against these criteria may be used in the event of a tie break at interview to help to make an informed decision.

• Microsoft Azure verified credentials, certification or qualifications.
• Experience of providing technical leadership for troubleshooting activities; and problem management - identifying incident trends and coordinating actions to investigate, identify and resolve root causes; and organising Infrastructure Engineers to take forward preventive measures.
• Experience of influencing service levels and service frameworks and how to operate within them to deliver, operate and maintain IT infrastructure services.
• Experience of developing requirements and specifications, defining test conditions and analysing and reporting test activities and results.
• Experience of collaborating with, and conveying technical concepts to, both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• An understanding of the benefits of service levels and service frameworks and how to operate within them to deliver, operate and maintain IT infrastructure services.

Alongside your salary of £58,185, Department for Education contributes £16,856 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department's transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years' service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days' bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Selection process details

Application/sift
At application you will be asked to provide your CV and a statement of suitability. Both should be anonymised (all personal information removed, such as your name, date of birth, gender, contact information, nationality etc).

• Your CV should include details of previous roles held and responsibilities / previous skills and experience.
• Your statement of suitability (maximum 1,250 words) should demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.

Your CV and statement will be assessed together against the listed essential criteria.

Interview
Longlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview typically involving a commitment of up to 90 minutes. The interview will consist of a series of questions to assess your experience against the essential criteria for the role.

Interviews will be on MS teams, which may be remote or from a DfE office - we will confirm which when you are invited to an interview

Any evidence gathered during the interview against the desirable criteria listed above may be used in the event of a tie break to help to make an informed decision.

Feedback will be provided only if you attend an interview.

Timing -
We expect to sift in week commencing 1 December 2025. Interviews will likely take place in the week commencing 15 December 2025.

Once a provisional offer has been made, you will be invited to participate in a capability assessment to determine the value of the CBP allowance we can offer you. The assessment compares your skills against the advertised role described in DfE's local Infrastructure Engineering Capability Framework, which is based on the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework.

Subject to your availability, we will aim to conduct the capability assessment and confirm the allowance offer to you within a week of the provisional offer being made.

This is a discretionary non-consolidated, non-pensionable allowance which, if awarded, is attached to the post. The value of the allowance is based on the outcome of a capability assessment and is reviewed annually. Allowance values range up to £19,400, with the highest values reserved for candidates whose capability is above the expected level for all of the skills.

If applicants are not appointable at this grade, they may be considered for positions at the grade below.

*Other Information*
Interviews may be via Microsoft teams or face to face; the vacancy manager will confirm prior to the Interview.

In your application, please don't include personal information that identifies you.

This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment (opens in a new window).

Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your:

• name/title
• educational institutions
• age
• gender
• email address
• postal address
• phone number
• nationality/immigration status

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment
If a Person With Disabilities Is Put At a Substantial Disadvantage Compared To a Non-disabled Person, We Have a Duty To Make Reasonable Changes To Our Processes. If You Need a Change To Be Made So That You Can Make Your Application, You Should:

Contact Department of Education via  soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Please refer to the attached 'Reasonable Adjustments Guide 05_2025 – accessible version' at the bottom of the advert, for further information.

Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : Resourcing Business Partners
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

The Department for Education's recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages