Job summary
Job title - Specialist Engineer HPC
Profession- IT
Directorate - Technology
Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours
No of Roles - 2
Contract Type - Fixed Term Contract for 12 months
Location - Remote Working (with occasional travel to UKHSA Offices)
UKHSA offers hybrid working or home working for its employees - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices.Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available
Working Pattern - Full Time/Flexible Working / Hybrid Working/ Home Working
Grade & Salary - Grade 6 National banding - £65,302- £75,129 per annum. Inner London £69,275 - £78,805 per annum. Outer London - £67,288- £76,967 per annum
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Main duties of the job
Building on your Linux experience you will manage, support and maintain the hardware and software components of the High-Performance Computing (HPC), Unix/Linux, virtualization and cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/OpenStack) required for the execution of UKHSA business.
The post holder will be responsible for availability, performance, efficiency, monitoring, capacity planning, change management, emergency response, and expected to work in conjunction with Technology and other departments to ensure that the organisation is equipped with state-of-the- art systems.
Ensure that the HPC and Unix/Linux systems are correctly maintained and managed to provide authorized users with optimum levels of access to data and applications as and when required, to effectively conduct UKHSA business. An in-depth working knowledge of Linux clustered computing environments, hybrid networks (Ethernet and InfiniBand), high performance parallel filesystems, software defined storage and enterprise class open-source technologies is an essential requirement of this role. The role-holder may also be required to manage or supervise more junior HPC engineers and contribute to their training and development.
About us
The infrastructure and high-performance computing team within the UKHSA are a critical cog across the Technology directorate, ensuring our systems perform at the optimum level giving critical applications and information technology robustness and reliability.
The team enjoy experiencing and working with a broad and diverse range of skills and state of the art equipment whilst building a strong team culture and ethos.
Whilst this position sits within the HPC team it would be a superb opportunity for an individual with a background in Linux/UNIX to gain exposure and experience in high-performance computing.
The HPC are a vital cog across the UKHSA technology platform ensuring performance, efficiency, monitoring, capacity planning, change management as well as emergency response for systems.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Plan, configure, manage, and maintain all hardware and software components of all Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms in UKHSA to deliver optimum system availability to users, and ensuring all supplier provided patches and upgrades to the operating system, database, tools, and utilities are applied in a timely manner. Support High Performance and High Throughput computing operations.
- Maintaining the security and integrity of all Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms in UKHSA, including managing all user access rights and implementation of backup regimes and other disaster recovery procedures.
- Providing technical and administrative support for all Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms within UKHSA to all levels of staff. Ensuring systems are documented and formulate relevant procedures and protocols.
- Monitoring and managing Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms performance and capacity growth, providing advice on necessary upgrades and replacement of hardware and software so as to maintain the ability of UKHSA HPC, UNIX, Virtualization and Cloud platforms to support UKHSA Implementing hardware changes and upgrades and database upgrades and migrations to maintain system performance and growth capacity.
- Liaise with the relevant specialist suppliers to ensure that the organisation is equipped with correct and appropriate technology to support the achievement of UKHSAs objectives.
- Creating and maintaining comprehensive documentation, including procedures and protocols for technical staff and users, on the licensing, components, connectivity, configurations and operation of specialist systems and services and supporting relevant hardware and software. Maintaining such documentation up to date and in an auditable condition. Providing training, where appropriate, to technical staff and users to enable them to utilize the systems and services optimally.
- Ensuring compliance with UKHSA Technology and other relevant policies in HPC, UNIX, Virtualization and Cloud platforms usage in UKHSA.
- To maintain awareness of technical developments and research new technologies in Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms with a view to providing advice on suitable deployment strategies for UKHSA. Advise on the choice of software solutions and hardware platforms for the management of Big Data and analytics platforms and
- To identify, resolve and mitigate any risks or issues that materialise and escalate through the appropriate channels as required.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Essential Criteria:
The below list is the essential technology that support the UKHSA tech stack. eing familiar with them is essential but being a master at them all is not essential. This role offers the opportunity for the right individual with some of the essential experience to gain exposure to the complete stack of technology.
- Design/implementing Unix/Linux system and services open-source solutions and performance tuning.
- HPC technologies: Lustre,
- Configuration systems such as Ansible and Terraform
- Unix/Linux scripting.
- Networking: TCP/IP, DHCP, VLANs, spanning tree protocol, link aggregation for performance (MTU settings) and reliability requirements.
- Linux administration skills, including users, groups, filesystems, packages management, common server-daemons (Apache, Ngnix, HAproxy, MySQL, PostgreSQL), etc
Desirable Criteria:
As with the essential skillset the below list is desirable for the right candidate to know about a few of these, be proficient with a few, but UKHSA dont expect anyone to be fully proficient with them all.
- Python, Perl and/or
- Storage technologies: LVM, iSCSI, NFS, Samba, CEPH
- KVM/LibVirt Linux Virtualization
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours& Experience
Stage 1: Application & SiftAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1250 words providing examples of how you meet the essential criteria. It should also detail what you and your experience can bring to the role.
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will be invited to a remote interview via Microsoft Teams
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £62,489, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,872 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
DBS
People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Plan, configure, manage, and maintain all hardware and software components of all Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms in UKHSA to deliver optimum system availability to users, and ensuring all supplier provided patches and upgrades to the operating system, database, tools, and utilities are applied in a timely manner. Support High Performance and High Throughput computing operations.
- Maintaining the security and integrity of all Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms in UKHSA, including managing all user access rights and implementation of backup regimes and other disaster recovery procedures.
- Providing technical and administrative support for all Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms within UKHSA to all levels of staff. Ensuring systems are documented and formulate relevant procedures and protocols.
- Monitoring and managing Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms performance and capacity growth, providing advice on necessary upgrades and replacement of hardware and software so as to maintain the ability of UKHSA HPC, UNIX, Virtualization and Cloud platforms to support UKHSA Implementing hardware changes and upgrades and database upgrades and migrations to maintain system performance and growth capacity.
- Liaise with the relevant specialist suppliers to ensure that the organisation is equipped with correct and appropriate technology to support the achievement of UKHSAs objectives.
- Creating and maintaining comprehensive documentation, including procedures and protocols for technical staff and users, on the licensing, components, connectivity, configurations and operation of specialist systems and services and supporting relevant hardware and software. Maintaining such documentation up to date and in an auditable condition. Providing training, where appropriate, to technical staff and users to enable them to utilize the systems and services optimally.
- Ensuring compliance with UKHSA Technology and other relevant policies in HPC, UNIX, Virtualization and Cloud platforms usage in UKHSA.
- To maintain awareness of technical developments and research new technologies in Linux / UNIX, HPC, Virtualization and Cloud platforms with a view to providing advice on suitable deployment strategies for UKHSA. Advise on the choice of software solutions and hardware platforms for the management of Big Data and analytics platforms and
- To identify, resolve and mitigate any risks or issues that materialise and escalate through the appropriate channels as required.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Essential Criteria:
The below list is the essential technology that support the UKHSA tech stack. eing familiar with them is essential but being a master at them all is not essential. This role offers the opportunity for the right individual with some of the essential experience to gain exposure to the complete stack of technology.
- Design/implementing Unix/Linux system and services open-source solutions and performance tuning.
- HPC technologies: Lustre,
- Configuration systems such as Ansible and Terraform
- Unix/Linux scripting.
- Networking: TCP/IP, DHCP, VLANs, spanning tree protocol, link aggregation for performance (MTU settings) and reliability requirements.
- Linux administration skills, including users, groups, filesystems, packages management, common server-daemons (Apache, Ngnix, HAproxy, MySQL, PostgreSQL), etc
Desirable Criteria:
As with the essential skillset the below list is desirable for the right candidate to know about a few of these, be proficient with a few, but UKHSA dont expect anyone to be fully proficient with them all.
- Python, Perl and/or
- Storage technologies: LVM, iSCSI, NFS, Samba, CEPH
- KVM/LibVirt Linux Virtualization
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours& Experience
Stage 1: Application & SiftAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1250 words providing examples of how you meet the essential criteria. It should also detail what you and your experience can bring to the role.
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will be invited to a remote interview via Microsoft Teams
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £62,489, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,872 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
DBS
People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- -Design/implementing Unix/Linux system and services open-source solutions and performance tuning.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- -Design/implementing Unix/Linux system and services open-source solutions and performance tuning.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
