Senior Software/Infrastructure Engineer

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job description

This role is a senior technical position focused on cloud technologies, Kubernetes, and infrastructure automation, providing expert guidance, troubleshooting, and mentoring to teams. You will play a crucial role in shaping the architecture, development, and deployment of secure, scalable, and efficient cloud-based research environments within L&SC SDE and TRE.

Ideally you will possess strong expertise in Kubernetes orchestration, cloud platforms--particularly Azure--and Infrastructure as Code. You should have experience in software development for cloud environments, incorporating DevOps practices to streamline processes and improve efficiency. A proven ability to design and document enterprise-level architectures and solutions is essential. Additionally, you should be skilled in troubleshooting and optimizing performance within virtualized computing environments. Strong stakeholder management capabilities are also important, with the ability to align technology solutions effectively with both business and research objectives.

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities for this role include providing technical leadership as a subject matter expert in Kubernetes, cloud technologies, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC), supporting teams with best practices and effective problem resolution. You will be responsible for designing and implementing containerized solutions using Kubernetes, while integrating cloud services and DevOps principles through tools such as Terraform, ARM templates, and Bicep. Strategic planning is a vital aspect of the role, and you will contribute to long-term cloud infrastructure strategies that align with customer needs and compliance requirements. You will engage closely with project managers, development teams, and external partners to capture technical requirements and translate them into scalable, secure solutions. Ensuring compliance with NHS Information Governance standards, security policies, and enterprise architecture will also be part of your responsibilities. Additionally, you will evaluate emerging technologies to enhance system performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency.

This is an unmissable opportunity for a highly skilled cloud professional to drive innovation, scalability, and security within a mission-critical digital research infrastructure.

About us

Why Choose OneLSC and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals:

• A vibrant, diverse, and inclusive healthcare community
• Cutting-edge facilities and technology
• Opportunities for continuous professional development
• A culture that values and recognizes your contributions

About Us:With over 1000 beds, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals stands as a beacon of healthcare excellence. Our specialties range from the conventional to the extraordinary, as we proudly serve as a Tertiary Centre for Lancashire and South Cumbria in Neurosciences, Trauma, Oncology, and Renal Medicine.

Your Impact:Be part of a team that's not just meeting healthcare needs but exceeding them. Whether you're in Neurosciences, Trauma, Oncology, or Renal Medicine, your contribution matters. Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is the nexus where expertise meets compassion, and we're inviting you to make a difference.

Open to All Applications:This is not just a job; it's a calling. One LSC and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from individuals across various trusts, fostering diversity, and enriching our healthcare community.

Job responsibilities

What You'll Do:

Work closely with the Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO), technical teams, and research software engineers to architect, develop, and deploy cutting-edge digital research infrastructure.

Develop containerized applications using Python and modern cloud technologies.

Contribute to the design and implementation of high-availability, scalable solutions for research environments.

Leverage Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) (preferably Azure) and implement CI/CD workflows for seamless deployments.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or a related field

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable previous experience developing solutions that utilise and fully leverage the capabilities of Kubernetes for orchestration of containers and supporting cloud services.
• Further demonstrate experience in developing software solutions that are designed to leverage the capabilities of cloud technology.
• Firm understanding of DevOps principles with experience in development of Infrastructure as code, using technologies such as Terraform, ARM templates, Bicep, or similar.
• Good awareness of concepts unique to software development in the NHS, such as information governance, clinical governance, HSCN, and others.
• Extensive experience in software development, cloud computing, and data management.
• Strong understanding of data security, GDPR, and NHS Information Governance principles.
• Experience with database management (SQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL) and big data processing.
• Proven experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and version control systems (Git/GitHub/GitLab).
• Experience in high-performance computing (HPC), parallel processing, or distributed systems.
• Experience working in NHS, academia, or healthcare research settings.
• Experience working with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and supporting services.
• Demonstrate firm understanding of Custom Resource Definitions and the Kubernetes operator model.
• Good understanding of trusted research environments.
• Working within a regional healthcare collaborative environment.
• Good understanding of working across the L&SC Region.
• Knowledge of machine learning, AI, or advanced statistical analysis.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£53,755 to £60,504 a year, pro rata.