Platform Engineer - On Prem Product team

Warton (3-4 days per week onsite, with occasional travel to Reading HQ)
12-month contract
£74.26 per hour (umbrella, inside IR35) - approx. £550 per day
Government SC Clearance required (active clearance strongly preferred)

We are seeking an experienced Platform Engineer to join our On-Prem Product Team, working within a highly regulated defence and engineering environment. You will help design, build, and maintain a secure, scalable on-premises network and infrastructure platform, supporting advanced digital engineering and collaboration solutions.

This role requires hands-on technical expertise across Windows Server, Linux (RHEL), VMware, and Citrix, with a deep understanding of software-defined networking, data centre management and secure-by-design principles.

• Design, implement, and enhance the on-premises physical and virtual infrastructure, ensuring high availability and optimal performance.

• Build, configure, and manage systems and components within physical and virtualised environments.

• Collaborate with architects and cross-functional teams to design and integrate new network solutions.

• Prepare and execute detailed technical delivery plans, ensuring adherence to governance and change control.

• Monitor system performance, security, and sustainability across the network.

• Maintain comprehensive documentation and knowledge management for operational transparency.

• Troubleshoot complex issues across multi-tier environments, ensuring robust and secure service delivery.

• Support continuous improvement and product development, providing feedback and implementing enhancements.

• Facilitate collaboration with product owners, architects, and other engineering teams to align on platform and infrastructure strategies.

• Contribute to the low-level design of a new enterprise-grade on-prem network.

• Configure, optimise, and troubleshoot a highly distributed network environment.

• Deliver a base-level network platform that enables wider business deployment of collaboration and engineering tools.

• 3+ years' experience in Platform or Network Engineering, ideally within a secure or regulated environment.

• Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, ITSM, and containerisation.

• Experience with Windows Server/Desktop, RedHat Linux (RHEL), Citrix VDI, VMware, Active Directory, and Group Policy.

• Hands-on experience with Software Defined Networking (SDN), Switching & Routing, Firewalls, VLANs/VNETs, and BGP.

• Knowledge of Scripting languages such as PowerShell, Bash, Python, Perl, or BAT.

• Awareness of cyber security standards, secure-by-design principles, and working with classified systems.

• Demonstrable ability to navigate security and accreditation procedures for infrastructure deployment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to convey complex technical concepts clearly.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting capabilities.

• Proven collaboration and relationship management skills across technical and non-technical teams.

• Organised, proactive, and adaptable with a focus on quality and delivery.

• Degree in IT, Computer Science, or related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).

• Relevant industry certifications preferred - eg CCNA, CCNP, CCDP, or equivalent proven expertise.

• Must be eligible for SC clearance (active clearance highly desirable).

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping and securing the next generation of on-prem digital platforms supporting some of the UK's most advanced engineering environments. You'll be part of a forward-thinking team driving innovation, resilience, and performance in critical infrastructure systems.