Senior Cloud Platform Engineer

Role Overview

• We are seeking a Senior Cloud Platform Engineer with deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Kubernetes, and High-Assurance UK Defence environments.
• In this role, you will design, deploy, and maintain mission-critical, sovereign cloud infrastructure for sensitive national security operations. You will operate at the intersection of modern cloud-native software engineering and strict defense compliance—building automated, air-gapped platforms using
• Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped (GDC air-gapped) and GKE Enterprise capable of supporting tactical edge analytics and disconnected containerised workloads.

Requirements

• Key Responsibilities
• Sovereign Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
• Design, build, and maintain enterprise-grade GCP environments and Sovereign Landing Zones using Terraform and Ansible.
• Kubernetes Orchestration:

Manage, scale, and secure production

• GKE and GKE Enterprise clusters in air-gapped or low-bandwidth environments.
• High-Assurance Security Architecture:
• Implement Zero-Trust network topologies, Private Google Access, Service Controls, and IAM policies aligned with NCSC Cloud Security Principles
• JSP 604, and MoD Secure by Design (SbD) frameworks.
• Air-Gapped & Edge Deployments:

Operate fully disconnected, sovereign cloud nodes (

GDC air-gapped

• ) and handle offline artifact management (e.g., container image mirroring, local Helm repositories, offline Terraform providers).
• DevSecOps & Policy-as-Code:
• Build secure CI/CD pipelines incorporating container scanning, cryptographic image signing, secret management (Vault/GCP KMS), and automated policy enforcement (OPA/Gatekeeper).
• Data Sovereignty & Isolation:
• Configure private interconnects, network firewalls, and outbound-only proxies to guarantee strict data sovereignty and prevent data exfiltration.

Required Experience

• 1. Defence & High-Assurance Context
• Active
• UK SC Clearance, ideally
• MoD Developed Vetting or eligibility for DV.
• Proven experience delivering cloud platforms within UK Defence (MoD, CSOC, DE&S), Intelligence, or National Security environments.
• Working knowledge of UK Government Security Classifications (OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE / SECRET / TOP SECRET), NCSC guidelines, and JSP 604 accreditation loops.

2. GCP & Infrastructure Automation

• 3+ years of production experience operating
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Expertise in Terraform for declarative infrastructure management.
• Deep understanding of GCP networking (VPC Service Controls, Cloud Interconnect, Private Service Connect, Cloud NAT, DNS).

3. Containerisation & Kubernetes

• Production experience administering
• GKE / GKE Enterprise
• Hands-on experience with container security, Service Mesh (Istio), and admission controllers (OPA/Gatekeeper or Kyverno).
• Experience managing air-gapped software deployments where continuous internet connectivity is absent.

Desirable Qualifications

• Certifications:
• GCP Professional Cloud Architect, GCP Professional Cloud Security Engineer, or Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA).
• Experience with Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped (GDC air-gapped) hardware appliances or edge deployments.
• Familiarity with event streaming (Kafka, Cloud Pub/Sub) in low-bandwidth, intermittent, or limited (DIL) connectivity scenarios.
• Background in Armed Forces technical branches, tactical C4ISR systems, or specialised defence consultancies.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay:
• Salaries reviewed annually to ensure they reflect your performance and market value.
• Loyalty Pension:
• We invest in your future. Starting at a 5% employer contribution, we increase this by 0.5% every year after your third anniversary, up to a maximum of 8%
• Protection:
• Comprehensive Group Life Assurance for peace of mind.

Purpose & Culture

• Real Impact:
• Work on mission-critical projects that secure and improve the UK's digital infrastructure.
• Autonomy:
• A culture that empowers you to make decisions, prototype rapidly, and iterate towards success.
• Service & Community:
• We support those who serve.

10 paid days

for Reservist Military Service.

Work / Life Balance

Time Off:

25 days annual leave

• + Bank Holidays, with the flexibility to Buy/Sell additional days to suit your lifestyle.
• Giving back:
• 2 paid volunteering days per year.

Development & Growth

• Master Your Craft:
• Fully funded professional certifications (AWS, GCP, Agile, etc.) supported by 5 days paid study leave
• Expand Your Horizons:
• An additional £500 annual "Personal Choice" fund to learn whatever inspires you—work-related or not.
• Support:
• Access to 1-2-1 professional coaching and team training to accelerate your career.

Health & Balance

• Premium Health:
• Vitality Private Medical Insurance (includes Apple Watch, gym discounts, and rewards).
• Flexibility:
• Genuine hybrid working with a WFH equipment allowance to perfect your home setup.
• Wellbeing:
• Cycle to Work scheme and a commitment to sustainable, healthy working practices.