Principal Infrastructure Engineer

Job summary

Ready to shape the future of a major regulatory body's tech landscape? As our Principal Infrastructure Engineer, you will drive the delivery of cutting-edge cloud and on-premise platforms like Azure and AWS. From designing modern system architecture to leading high-impact tech roadmaps, your expertise will keep our vital services secure, scalable, and flying high.

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the UK’s principal competition and consumer protection authority. We promote competition and protect consumers with a clear end goal in mind: to drive economic growth and improve household prosperity. The CMA has a range of powers, which it uses to undertake a wide variety of cutting-edge, high profile and complex work, spanning merger and market inquiries, competition and consumer law enforcement, our role in the digital markets competition regime, subsidy advice, and internal market advice.

We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack

Job description

What you will do

As an Infrastructure Engineer, here is what you will do:

• Ensure services are integrated, delivered and operated as required
• Work with and support third parties in providing infrastructure services
• Work with the Head of IT Infrastructure to create/review architectural designs and implement into operations
• Provide input into technology roadmaps, projects and tasks
• Work with Service Desk to ensure timely resolution of tickets associated with these services and provide guidance and support.

You can read the full job description on the attached role profile.

What you will need

• Proven Experience: At least 3 years of practical work experience working as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer.
• Core Infrastructure Expertise: Solid background designing and implementing technologies like Microsoft Azure, AWS, Entra ID, Active Directory, Always On VPN, and Azure Virtual Desktop.
• System Integration Skills: Hands-on experience connecting complex services across Azure and AWS, enabling single sign-on, and managing Windows Server 2022, Nutanix, and SQL Server.
• Secure Systems Design: Ability to design secure systems using "Secure by Design" frameworks, with experience in tools like Microsoft Sentinel, Defender, Darktrace, and the Cyber Assessment Framework.
• Deep Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of cloud capacity planning, Microsoft 365 (Teams, Intune, Purview, Autopilot), and disaster recovery solutions like Rubrik.
• Advanced Troubleshooting: Strong skills in finding and fixing root causes of complex technical issues using Azure Monitor, Windows event logs, and PowerShell scripting.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills to explain technical issues clearly to both tech-savvy teams and non-technical staff, including managing updates during live incidents

What we can offer you

In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work – an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee assistance programme and flexible working options.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential:

• Qualifications: Have atleast 3 years practical work experience working as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer (Lead Criteria)
• IT infrastructure. Experience designing and implementing infrastructure technologies, solutions and services, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Entra ID, Active Directory, hybrid identity, multi-factor authentication, Always On VPN, Azure Virtual Desktop, DNS, DHCP, and on-premises and cloud-based Group Policy.
• System integration. Knowledge of integrating moderately complex services, particularly across Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, and enabling single sign-on through Microsoft Entra ID. Experience with Windows Server 2022, hyperconverged infrastructure platforms such as Hyper-V and Nutanix, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft file servers and Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Systems design. Experience designing secure systems with moderate levels of risk, impact and business or technical complexity. Ability to select and apply appropriate design standards, methods and tools; review others’ designs to confirm suitable technology choices and efficient use of resources; and provide technical assurance. Experience applying Secure by Design principles using technologies and frameworks such as Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, Darktrace, Sophos, UK GDPR and the Cyber Assessment Framework.
• Technical understanding. In-depth knowledge of the technical concepts relevant to the role, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and cloud capacity planning; Microsoft 365, Teams, Intune, Purview and Windows Autopilot; and Nutanix, Azure Virtual Machines and Azure Virtual Desktop. Experience in disaster recovery and business continuity planning, including the Rubrik backup solution, and familiarity with Microsoft public key infrastructure and certificate services.
• Troubleshooting and problem resolution. Experience analysing complex issues, identifying root causes and resolving problems across technologies including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Windows 11 and HP server Proficiency in using Azure Monitor and Logs, Windows event logs and PowerShell to support diagnosis and resolution.
• Stakeholder engagement. Strong stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences. Experience supporting the preparation of staff communications on technical issues and providing updates during incident resolution.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be assessed against the Digital, Data and Technology profession capability framework at Principal infrastructure Engineer- https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/infrastructure-en…
• You will also be asked other technical questions based on the person specification attached in the role profile.

Benefits

Alongside