Unix Build SME - DV Cleared

Vertex IT Solutions are looking for experienced Unix Build SMEs who hold valid DV clearance

Contract length: 2 - 6 months - Various positions

DV Clearance required for this position

Location: Stevenage - 3 days on site - Hybrid working

Inside IR35

Position Summary:

As a UNIX Build SME (Subject Matter Expert), you will be involved with large scale customer infrastructure transition and transformation projects relating to specific customer infrastructure systems and associated software, ensuring that the service provided to customers meets the requirements set out in the project definition.

Working on won business either from a new logo win or incremental sales on an existing account, the UNIX Build SME is part of the transformation and transition team alongside the Project Manager and Project TA (Technical Architect).

Project assignments allocated is depended on pipeline and client requirements. Assignment length varies but is primarily short to mid-term project for a restricted account. Longer term assignments are on several well-established key accounts, working alongside other project resources to provide cover for projects and key milestones. Project work can come in with tight timescales and at late notice.

The UNIX Build SME also conducts peer reviews of documentation and creates LLD (Low Level Designs) when required.

During an assignment, a UNIX Build SME is expected to consistently demonstrate the following key skills within the project assignment context;

• Complete work detailed in project design documentation.
• Support the project to ensure successful project delivery.
• High quality documentation and communication skills.
• Flexible to the business needs of our clients.
• Raise concerns when project delivery is failing or when there is a fundamental problem that needs addressing.
• Accountability and responsibility

Role Variants

An experienced UNIX Build SME with additional responsibilities (outlined in Senior UNIX Build SME section).

Roles and Responsibilities:

• UNIX Server implementation and deployment on physical hardware and virtual infrastructure
• Ensure smooth handover of implemented systems into ongoing support, participating in relevant processes.
• Assist and advise in troubleshooting technical issues when required.
• Participate in implementation and migration activities, providing direction and support to other project team members, including less experienced SME's, when required.
• Plan and undertake changes to software/hardware as agreed with the customer/project.
• Assess user requirements and formulate technical specifications that are cost effective and accurately meet the identified needs of the customer.
• Install and test operating software and associated products in conjunction with application providers to ensure that each element of a project performs to specification.
• Contribute to the implementation of new and modified systems in conjunction with clients to achieve identified benefits.
• Implement and maintain a standard methodology for the planning and installation of infrastructure.
• Work with the TAs and service line teams to ensure solutions meet requirements, are supportable and to the approved standards.
• Prepare and produce high quality design, systems documentation and delivery plans in accordance with current processes and standards. Incorporating specialist knowledge as required.
• Ensure that all delivery, development and maintenance work is undertaken in accordance with ITIL, and customer change management process.
• Effectively monitor specific infrastructure services and identify improvements and preventative maintenance interventions.
• Highlight potential project risks and partake in lessons learnt exercises.
• Liaise with 3rd Party suppliers and other partners when and where required to meet customer requirements.
• Regular reporting to TA(s), Project Manager(s), Service Delivery Manager(s) as appropriate.
• Technical quality control and assurance.
• Be prepared to learn, in depth, new technologies.
• Submit and champion new ideas.
• Maintain up to date awareness of developments in the IT industry.
• Contribute to the development of further server offerings.

Additional Responsibilities in a Senior UNIX Build SME role:

• Maintain up to date awareness of developments in the IT industry and identify how appropriate ones can be applied to technical designs.
• Liaise with 3rd Party suppliers and other partners when and where required to meet customer requirements. Be involved with initial partnership meetings.
• Work with programme, CTO, TA's to produce plans that enable timely delivery of technical infrastructure components of projects.
• Own technical issues and be point of contact for resolution when required.
• Be prepared to learn, in depth, new technologies and then teach others.
• Lead SME's while they conduct implementation activities, providing direction and support.
• Take ownership of concerns and risks to drive successful conclusions.
• Lead initiatives and champion better ways of working.
• Lead meetings.
• Lead and mentor other SME's.
• Participate in roadshows.

Technical skills:

Essential/Minimum Criteria:

• Previous UNIX project experience including infrastructure implementation, deployment and migration.
• Understanding of LDAP
• Excellent understanding of Solaris, RHEL with clustering and AIX.
• Preferable good understanding of external Cloud provided options (GCS, AWS, Azure).
• Experience of deploying into virtualised infrastructure (VMware, VxRail, Hyper-V, Xenservers and Cloud technologies).
• Understanding of migrations tools (Platespin, Nutanix, Doubletake and HCX).
• Good knowledge of networks and storage.
• Experience of enterprise scale infrastructure transition and transformation projects.
• Experience of working within Data Centres and secure locations, following associated rules pertaining to them.
• ITIL knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Scripting.
• Customer and project delivery focused.

Desirable Criteria:

• RHEL Certified.
• Knowledge of ldom's within a Solaris virtual environment
• Knowledge of Cluster (within a Solaris environment)
• Knowledge of creating detailed design documentation.
• Customer facing experience.

Deliverables:

The following are the key deliverables expected from the UNIX Build SME role:

• Implement Servers and services as per available documentation.
• Ensure smooth handover of implemented systems into ongoing support, participating in relevant processes.

In-Scope Tasks:

The following are the key tasks expected to be performed by the UNIX Build SME:

• Deliver Servers and services detailed in the project plan.
• Review and provide realistic inputs to the project manager to assist with the project plan.
• Review and provide realistic inputs to the test manager to assist with the testing plans.
• Highlight any technical risks and issues with the architecture and designs.
• Attend change board to aid changes progression.
• Provide regular reporting updates to the Project Manager and TA where required.
• Attend relevant project meetings and technical workshops where required when there are tangible UNIX Build outputs.
• Review and provide technical information for project change requests that require UNIX Build input.
• Ensure designs have been reviewed and approved by delivery towers and architecture approval boards.
• Produce appropriate Low Level Design (LLD) documentation that is consistent with the solution and meets the business requirements of the client.
• Peer review designs and documentation.
• Liaise with 3rd Party suppliers and other partners when and where required to meet client requirements.
• Provide input and guidance into the Service Acceptance of the solution.

Out of Scope Tasks:

This section provides information about tasks and activities that are not the responsibility of the Project TA.

• Producing HLD (High Level Design) documentation.
• Creating and owning Project Plans.
• Owning RAID logs.
• Creating, owning and executing test plans.
• Drafting and submitting change requests.
• Creating and maintaining Service Improvement Plans.
• Responsible for ensuring the solution is accepted into Live Service'.
• Be expected to provide reference material and templates for HLD's.
• Are not responsible for creation and maintenance of capacity management or baseline operational information.
• Budgeting on allocated projects.
• Basic admin tasks that PM and/or PMO can perform.
• BAU activities.
• Resourcing.
• Account onboarding.