Staff Engineer (Platform Engineer)
Rate: £535 per day inside IR35
Security Clearance: SC (Active within last 6 months required)
Initial Contract: 6 months
Nationality: UK nationals only
Location: Portsmouth (Hybrid - 2 days every other fortnight onsite, remainder remote)
Sector: Public sector

Role Overview
A senior platform engineering role with a strong DevSecOps focus, combining hands-on engineering delivery with technical leadership. The role is approximately 60% technical leadership (guiding direction, supporting the team, and shaping solutions) and 40% hands-on engineering delivery.

The environment includes both modernisation of existing platforms and maintenance of current systems across two platforms at different maturity stages.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to DevSecOps practices, including CI/CD, automation, and security scanning
• Design and implement automation and containerisation solutions
• Work hands-on with Kubernetes, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines
• Develop and maintain scripts and automation using Bash/Linux and Python
• Support secure software development practices, including work in restricted/air-gapped environments
• Contribute to platform modernisation and operational stability
• Integrate and support AI/ML models within platform environments
• Promote and embed DevOps culture across engineering teams
• Work in hybrid cloud environments

Technical Skills & Experience

• Strong experience in DevSecOps (CI/CD, automation, security tooling)
• Advanced Scripting skills in Python and Bash/Linux
• Kubernetes and Docker containerisation experience
• CI/CD pipeline design and implementation
• Apache Kafka experience
• Experience working in secure or restricted environments (including air-gapped systems)
• Exposure to AI/ML model integration (core requirement)
• Strong solution design and problem-solving mindset
• Experience working across hybrid cloud environments

Role Scope

• Senior-level engineering role with technical leadership responsibilities (SFIA 6)
• Focus on modernising existing platforms and supporting live environments
• Balance of hands-on engineering and strategic technical direction

Security & Eligibility Requirements

• Security clearance required (UK government clearance level)
• Must be eligible for UK security clearance
• UK nationals only
• Experience working in regulated or secure environments is highly desirable