SC Cleared Red Hat OpenShift Platform SME (Security-Focused), Outside IR35
We are urgently seeking a highly experienced SC Cleared Red Hat OpenShift Platform SME with deep hands-on expertise in building, configuring, securing, and operating OpenShift environments.
This role is not application-facing - it is a platform, infrastructure, and security-focused position, requiring someone who truly understands how OpenShift is built under the HOOD and how security must be applied in regulated environments.
Key Responsibilities
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Design, build, and configure Red Hat OpenShift (OCP 4.x) platforms from the ground up
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Implement secure-by-design OpenShift architectures, aligned to defence/regulated standards
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Apply and manage cluster-level security controls, including:
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RBAC, SCCs, Network Policies
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Authentication & identity integration
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Image security, registry controls, and policy enforcement
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Support air-gapped or restricted environments, including image mirroring and upgrade strategies
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Perform Day-2 OpenShift operations:
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Logging, monitoring, GitOps, secrets management
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Cluster upgrades and life cycle management
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Work closely with security, infrastructure, and programme teams to ensure compliance and resilience
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Produce clear technical documentation and operational runbooks
Essential Skills & Experience
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Extensive hands-on Red Hat OpenShift experience (build, configure, operate)
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Strong knowledge of OpenShift security architecture, including:
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RBAC, SCCs, Network Policies
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Cluster hardening and compliance (CIS/STIG aligned)
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Solid Linux background (RHEL essential)
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Experience deploying OpenShift on on-prem platforms (eg vSphere)
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Strong Kubernetes fundamentals (but OpenShift expertise is mandatory)
Highly Desirable
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Experience in defence, financial services, or other regulated environments
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Air-gapped OpenShift deployments and upgrade experience
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Red Hat certifications (RHCA/OpenShift/Kubernetes Security)
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GitOps, CI/CD, and automation exposure (Ansible, Terraform, ArgoCD)