Platform Engineer
Job summary
If you are looking for the opportunity to be responsible for the day-to-day reactive and proactive support of the platforms that host business critical NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) systems as well as getting involved in the setting up of new hosting environments for projects, then we have the role for you!
If you are a highly motivated and dynamic platform engineer and want to become part of a team of highly experienced platform engineers working across both private and public cloud environments to help ensure the availability, performance, and security of the NHSBSA platforms then we want to hear from you! You will also get the opportunity to work alongside other service and project teams to provide the most appropriate solutions to deliver new services or improvements to existing services.
What do we offer?
o Hybrid working - offering flexibility to work predominantly from home with the opportunity to be office based should you prefer, or if business needs require ito 27 days leave (increasing with length of service) plus 8 bank holidayso Opportunities for developmento Active wellbeing and inclusion networkso Excellent pensiono Various salary sacrifice schemeso Employee Assistance programme, offering free 24/7 support for you and your loved oneso Access to a wide range of benefits and high street and online discounts
Main duties of the job
o Supporting Middleware and/or Cloud platforms, ensuring the availability and stability of NHSBSA services.o Carrying out proactive support activities, such as evaluation of performance, tuning and running backup/recovery schedules.o Providing troubleshooting and root cause analysis to identify issues, understand underlying cause and suggest future improvements.o Evaluating and interpreting technical data to resolve complex issues when performance is impaired.o Maintaining platform security at all levels in accordance with NHSBSA security principles and processes.o Evaluating and testing new and updated Middleware and/or cloud tools and products.o Implementing and carrying out housekeeping and monitoring activities to proactively identify, diagnose and resolve issues.o Proactively engaging in conversations to support the on-going development and maintenance of your own skills and knowledge, including attending relevant Communities of Practice.o Participation in 24/7 on-call rotas to support platforms out of hours.o Providing technical support and training for more junior platform colleagues and non-platform staff in the use of Middleware and/or cloud platforms.o Complete own assigned tasks to a high quality and within agreed timelines. Pro-actively proposing improvements to enhance own and business areas. Escalating issues at appropriate times.o Work collaboratively with colleagues and customers to deliver high-quality technology services.
About us
Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we're proud to be part of something meaningful, that touches millions of lives.We design our services around customer needs and place people at the heart of our organisation. That's why when you join us, you'll be empowered and supported to help your career grow.As one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, we're connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every colleague is heard, supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, and you can join our Lived Experience Networks who help us bring our authentic selves to work.We're committed to being a flexible employer and we try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible, through hybrid working, flexible hours and more.Alongside a competitive salary with pay progression, we offer a people-centric benefits package, connecting you to the rewards and benefits you value most!Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people live longer, healthier lives? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.We are people connected to care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you are accountable for:
Specialist Skills
1. Provide support for Middleware and/or Cloud platforms, using your technical knowledge and initiative to ensure the availability and stability of NHSBSA services to clinicians, NHS bodies and citizens.
2. Carry out proactive support activities, such as evaluation of performance, tuning and running backup/recovery schedules.
3. Carry out troubleshooting and root cause analysis to identify issues, understand their underlying cause and suggest improvements for the future.
4. Carry out impact analysis to understand how change will affect different components and produce estimates for planned changes to Middleware and/or Cloud platforms.
5. Analysing technical/statistical data and resolving complex issues when performance is impaired, escalating when necessary.
6. Manage platform change through the design, development, update, and implementation of scripts to build Middleware and/or Cloud platforms and deploy applications to those platforms using the appropriate software and tools.
7. Create and maintain platform security at all levels, ensuring that the correct level of access is granted to maintain the security of the systems in accordance with NHSBSA security principles and processes.
8. Develop and implement standards of best practice in the use of Middleware and/or Cloud platforms within the organisation, make recommendations, and challenge and persuade others when standards are not followed or opinions differ.
9. Evaluate, install, configure and test new and updated Middleware and/or Cloud tools and products.
10. Implement and carry out housekeeping and monitoring activities to proactively identify, diagnose and resolve issues before they impact NHSBSA internal and external services.
11. Implement and carry out Middleware and/or Cloud security, availability, performance, and capacity management tasks to ensure the smooth running of services.
In addition, you will:
12. Provide technical support and training for more junior Platform colleagues and non-Platform staff in the use of Middleware and/or Cloud platforms and advise on ways to improve functionality and performance.
13. Maintain a detailed understanding and be aware of developments in the use of Middleware and/or Cloud technologies in delivering business objectives by researching changes, tools, and solutions to meet business needs.
14. Work within NHSBSAs policies, standing orders, financial regulations, and legislative requirements.
15. Work collaboratively with colleagues and customers to deliver high-quality technology services.
16. Create, review, and maintain own and others operating instructions, user guides and reference/training material to be used by technical and non-technical audiences.
17. Complete own assigned tasks to a high quality and within agreed timelines. Pro-actively proposing improvements to enhance own and business areas. Escalating issues at appropriate times.
18. Actively identify your development and training needs within this specialism to develop your skills in Platforms to meet the requirements of the business. Mentored by more experienced colleagues in other Platform tasks to extend your skills, experience, and knowledge.
19. Participate in 24x7 on-call rotas to support platforms out of hours.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities, Knowledge, and Skills
- Practical knowledge of at least one of the BSA's strategic platforms (IBM WebSphere, AWS, Azure, and Oracle) and relevant tooling (Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell)
- Understanding of Java development
- Good Understanding of using Unix/Linux operating systems.
- For Cloud roles: Understanding of DevOps concepts such as version control, test automation, continuous integration; continuous deployment; infrastructure as code, containerisation, and pipeline orchestration.
- A strong focus on customer service
- Technical root cause analysis skills
- Self-motivated, with an ability to work independently as well as part of an effective team.
- Proactive
- Strong Knowledge of a variety of strategic platforms and relevant tooling ((IBM WebSphere, AWS, Azure, and Oracle) and relevant tooling (Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell)
- Strong knowledge of DevOps concepts such as version control, test automation, continuous integration; continuous deployment; infrastructure as code, containerisation, and pipeline orchestration
- Understanding of Java Applications (Spring, Maven)
- Understanding of Database technologies (PostgreSQL, Oracle, MSSql)
- Understanding of Networking
- Understanding of Web Technologies
- Understanding of IT Security
Experience
- Recent experience as a Platform engineer managing Middleware or Cloud platforms, including proactive and reactive support, change, and application deployment.
- For Middleware roles, experience of using one or more IBM Middleware technologies: a. IBM WebSphere b. IBM Webseal c. IBM HTTP server d. IBM MQ
- For Cloud roles, experience of one or more Cloud technologies: a. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) b. Amazon Web Services c. Microsoft Azure d. Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible) e. Containerisation f. CICD
- Experience of working as part of a team to provide a service to customers
- Experience of effectively learning new skills and developing oneself
- Recent experience as a Platform engineer managing Middleware AND Cloud platforms.
- Experience of a variety of cloud suppliers and platforms (such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Experience of managing relationships with a range of stakeholders (suppliers and customers)
- Experience of translating business requirements into functional and non-functional requirements.
- Experience of Supporting Enterprise systems using a ITIL Framework
- Experience of using Middleware technologies: a. IBM WebSphere b. IBM Webseal/SAM c. IBM HTTP server d. IBM MQ e. NetIQ eDirectory f.Oracle Weblogic
- Experience of using Cloud technologies: a. Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, PowerShell Scripting, Kubernetes) b. Tooling - Gitlab, ELK, Docker c. Oracle Developer d. Oracle Databases (RDBMS, OLAP, ExaData) e. Large Data Warehouses
- ETL technology and Deployment practices
Qualifications
- ICT qualification AND
- Recent experience of Middleware and/or Cloud administration
- Professionally recognised Middleware or Cloud administration certification
- ICT related degree
- ITIL Foundation qualification
- Other professionally recognised ICT certification
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Business Services Authority
Address
Stella House
Goldcrest way, Newburn Riverside
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 8NY
Employer's website
https://careers.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/
- Company
- NHS Business Services Authority
- Location
- Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom NE15 8NY
Hybrid / WFH Options - Employment Type
- Permanent
- Salary
- £38682.00 - £46580.00 a year
- Posted
- Company
- NHS Business Services Authority
- Location
- Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom NE15 8NY
Hybrid / WFH Options - Employment Type
- Permanent
- Salary
- £38682.00 - £46580.00 a year
- Posted