Lead Linux Sys Admin - CNI Platforms
Bank of EnglandLead Linus Sys Admin - CNI Platforms, Technology Directorate
Permanent
Leeds or London
A Day in the Role
No two days are exactly the same, but a typical day might start with the team's stand-up, where you'll discuss ongoing work, share progress, and identify any support needed from colleagues. We usually meet at 09:45 to support flexible working arrangements.
You may then spend time working on a project to improve or modernise part of the Linux platform. This could involve developing automation, improving platform security, refining operational standards, or implementing infrastructure changes using Infrastructure as Code and configuration management tooling.
As part of the team responsible for supporting business-critical services, you may be involved in investigating and resolving technical issues. This could range from troubleshooting operating system problems and analysing performance issues to supporting platform upgrades or infrastructure changes. You'll work closely with colleagues across Compute, Storage, Networks, Oracle, and DevOps teams to identify root causes and deliver robust solutions.
Throughout the day, you'll balance project delivery with operational support responsibilities. This may include planning and implementing platform changes, participating in technical discussions with vendors and internal stakeholders, reviewing and improving existing processes, or contributing to the team's automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Whether working from one of our offices or remotely as part of our hybrid working model, you'll be part of a collaborative team that values technical curiosity, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
Role Requirements
The CNI Platform operates within a secure, air-gapped environment supporting business-critical services. This presents a unique range of operational, engineering, and security challenges.
As a Lead Linux Engineer, you will be responsible for the support, reliability, security, and continuous improvement of the Linux platform. Working closely with colleagues across Compute, Storage, Networks, Oracle, and DevOps teams, you will support Linux workloads running on physical servers, virtual infrastructure, and OpenShift platforms.
We are looking for an engineer with strong Linux foundations who enjoys understanding how systems work, solving technical problems, and applying modern engineering practices to improve security, reliability, and operational efficiency. This role would suit someone who is developing into a senior engineer and is keen to broaden their expertise across enterprise infrastructure, automation, and platform engineering.
Key Responsibilities
Administration, support, and continuous improvement of enterprise Linux platforms
- Ensuring platform reliability, availability, and operational stability
- Automation, configuration management, and Infrastructure as Code
- Security hardening, patching, and compliance
- Platform integration across compute, storage, network, database, and container technologies
- Development and maintenance of operational procedures, standards, and documentation
- Collaboration across engineering teams and technology disciplines
- Communicating technical issues and solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
The role requires participation in an out-of-hours support rota and occasional out-of-hours work to support business-critical systems.
Minimum Criteria
- Strong Linux administration and troubleshooting skills within an enterprise environment (e.g. RHEL)
- Experience of Linux operating system fundamentals, including boot processes, storage, security, patching, recovery, and performance troubleshooting
- Experience deploying, operating, and supporting Linux on physical and virtual infrastructure
- Experience with automation and configuration management tools such as Ansible or equivalent technologies
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code tooling such as Terraform or equivalent technologies
- Experience of Linux security principles, system hardening, and compliance practices
- Experience with platform lifecycle management tools such as Red Hat Satellite, Ansible Automation Platform, or equivalent technologies
- Experience using scripting languages such as Bash or Python to automate operational tasks
Essential Criteria
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured approach to troubleshooting
- Ability to investigate technical issues and identify root causes across complex infrastructure environments
- Demonstrates curiosity and a desire to understand the underlying operation of systems and platforms
- Ability to work effectively across multiple technical disciplines and teams
- Able to communicate clearly and effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Understanding of DevOps principles and modern infrastructure engineering practices
- Understanding of ITIL / ITSM processes, including incident, problem, and change management
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Commitment to continuous improvement, automation, and operational excellence
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working within secure or air-gapped environments
- Experience with Compliance as Code and infrastructure testing tools
- Experience with virtualisation and container platforms such as VMware, Kubernetes, OpenShift
- Knowledge of Secure by Design principles
- Experience with image-based or immutable infrastructure approaches, including tooling such as Packer
- Experience with CI/CD tooling and automated software delivery practices
- Familiarity with enterprise storage technologies and backup platforms
- Experience with observability and logging platforms
- Understanding of enterprise networking fundamentals
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Working knowledge of Git, GitHub, and distributed version control systems
- Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
- A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
- An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
- 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
- Private medical insurance and income protection.
The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.