Senior DevOps Engineer

About the job

Job summary

Discover what it's like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here.

Rule keepers - begin your compliance journey

HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department's civil and criminal investigations.

Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within FIS. Working across Law Enforcement and government, CODE provides investigative tools and covert techniques to front-line investigations and works with key partners to develop and provide access to new technology and systems to enable investigators to respond to serious and complex tax evasion and crime.

Job description

This role sits within the Digital Forensic Infrastructure Team (DFI) which is part of FIS CODE Capability, Development, Infrastructure & Innovation (CDII) and plays an integral role in His Majesty's Government's fight against serious and organised crime, supporting investigations totalling hundreds of millions of pounds each year. DFI supports FIS CODE and all wider FIS investigations.

Digital Forensic Infrastructure (DFI) is responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to sustain and transform FIS's legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions, designed around our customers' needs. DFI works in an integrated way to combine digital and technology change, project deliver, business process, product management and cultural change to maximise impact and ensure sustainability.

As FIS grows, so does the need for Infrastructure support. The Senior DevOps Engineer role is an amazing opportunity for any experienced, forward thinking and focused individual who has a passion for technology.

If you flourish with dealing with diverse challenges, enjoy delivering exceptional support to users, growing your knowledge and want to work with a like-minded and supportive team then this may be the role for you.

As one of our Senior DevOps Engineers, you will be responsible for maintaining and evolving the FIS cloud Infrastructure in line with strategy set by the Principal Technical Lead.

You will provide technical support to the forensic infrastructure team across multiple sites and colleagues in the wider national FIS estate.

The Senior DevOps Engineer will manage third party provision of infrastructure services and the provision of expertise to develop architectural solutions for infrastructure services throughout the service product life cycle.

Flexibility Payment:

This post attracts a Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary. This FP allows HMRC flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs. You will be expected to undertake periods of On Call. You will also be expected to work additional hours, at weekends and outside your normal working hours/days (including bank holidays).

In applying for a position and accepting the FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements.

FP levels are reviewed annually - on a business need and personal basis - and may be subject to change.

Details of the Flexibility Payment can be found in the attached document.

Person specification

We are looking for an enthusiastic, resilient individual who can deliver in an impactful way within a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

This is an IT Technical role, and you will already a strong background working as a DevOps engineer (or similar) with public cloud platforms (eg. AWS, Azure or GCP)

The successful candidate will be undertaking the following (but not limited to):

• Work in a team of infrastructure specialists and engineers, ensuring services are integrated, delivered, and operated as required.
• Provide direction and support junior engineers.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Work as part of a skilled team sharing ideas but also take the initiative and work independently with little supervision.
• Play a leading role in the planning, designing, maintaining, and improving FIS Cloud infrastructure services and technologies.
• Work with and support third parties in providing infrastructure and work with technical architects to translate architectural designs into operations.
• You can break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes as well as troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities.
• You are an excellent communicator who can describe basic technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences, and you will regularly be expected to provide verbal updates and produce written user documentation on BAU taskings and projects.
• This may include participating in technical workshops to assess business requirements to support possible changes to existing services, identifying requirements and quantifying benefits.

Regular travel within the UK for meetings and infrastructure work will be required with occasional overnight stays. You will be required to work out of hours on an on-call rota, weekdays and weekends.

Please note: Security Check (SC) clearance level, either already held or willing to obtain, is a requirement of this role. Please see Additional Security Information and Security sections below.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience working with Dev Ops processes and practices.
• Experience working with Gitlab or other CI/CD tools.
• Experience working with Terraform.
• Experience with version control systems.
• Experience working with programming languages (eg. Python, TypeScript).
• Ability to use lateral thinking to break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes.
• Demonstrable evidence that you can troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities including computing, storage, networking, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS) and open-source software.
• Ability to managing the planning of system and acceptance tests, co-ordinating both functional and non-functional specifications.
• Ability to provide authoritative advice and guidance on test planning.
• Ability to identify process improvements and contribute to the definition of best practice.
• Ability to select appropriate design standards, methods, and tools, and ensure they are applied effectively.
• Ability to review the system designs of others to ensure the selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and technology.

Desirable Criteria:

• Exposure to, or experience working with, project management tools (eg. Jira, MS Project).
• Exposure to, or experience with, ISO standards 17025 and 27001.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,686, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £14,683 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service .

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Strengths and Experience.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV, to include your Job History - provide a short description of your jobs/roles, duties, skills/experience and any key achievements. Please demonstrate how your experience aligns with the requirements of this role as outlined in the Person Specification.
• A 1000-word Personal Statement, providing clear and compelling evidence of how your skills, experience and approach show your suitability for the role and how you meet the Essential Criteria. We're looking for examples that show what you've done and how you've done it. To help structure your examples effectively, consider using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) which will allow you to highlight your contributions and impact in a concise and meaningful way.

Please also provide a statement (max 250-words) for the Desirable Criteria , if applicable to you, on your application form. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the Personal Statement.

At full sift your CV and Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation to assess your experience, follow-up questions will be asked. Further details will be provided in advance.

You will also be asked some questions to assess your technical ability, and some Strength-based questions to explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the role.

This is an example of a strengths-based question:

"It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

Interviews will take place face-to-face at Stratford Regional Centre.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you . If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account:

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment Team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Technical Support
If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ' help ' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

From 1 April 2026, applicants will be required to meet updated nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If this affects you, we will give you more information at the appropriate time.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers

Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window) .

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Habib Akram
• Email : habib.akram@hmrc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles.

In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.

Attachments
Flexibility Payment Attachment STANDARD JAN 26 Opens in new window (docx, 60kB)