Lead Engineer (Porton & South West - Chilton)

Job summary

We are looking for a Lead Engineer to be responsible for a team of second line engineers based at our Chilton site with travel required to other UKHSA sites across the country. The team is part of the wider End User Workspace, Hosting and Service Management team which itself is part of the Technology Group at the UKHSA.

The second line team at Chilton support colleagues both on-site and remotely. They look after a range of technologies from end user devices – laptops and mobile phones - to supporting laboratory equipment and software.

Working for your organisation

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

This team support a wide user base both on-site and remotely across a variety of needs. You will be responsible for managing and supporting the end user devices from asset tracking to hardware and software troubleshooting and connectivity issues. You will also support technology for the labs on site ensuring that ICT equipment is functioning and secure.

As a team leader you will need to ensure that your team are trained and motivated and that they are supported to develop their careers and potential. You will also be responsible for ensuring the correct skills and cover are available to meet the business needs at your site.

Due to the breadth of technical services required by UKHSA colleagues you may often be asked to assist the wider Technology team with projects, new services and major incidents and you will also need to work with your team to ensure that ITSM functions are carried our responsibly. You will be involved in contributing to service improvements and updates.

Our ideal candidate thrives in a challenging environment, is motivated by delivering results, and is comfortable with working under pressure. The role requires a team player who has the motivation to maintain a solid service whilst constantly striving to improve both the technical and non-technical aspects of delivery.

The main duties will include:

• Assisting the Area Manager providing a high quality of customer service and support that will ensure that all colleagues are able to access ICT services as required, using properly configured and reliable devices.
• Ensuring that all colleagues receive a consistent level of support, working within agreed service levels as necessary, which minimizes the time for identifying and fixing problems.
• Configuring and commissioning PC hardware and software as required, ensuring that all software is properly licensed.
• Supporting PC network hardware and software components as required, to maximize the availability to users.
• Providing some administration and technical support for servers, having oversight of local backup procedures.
• Adhering to the Joiners/Movers/Leavers processes to ensure the right people have access to the right systems.
• Ensuring that all ICT equipment is managed according to the asset management processes and working with the equipment supply team to streamline and improve these processes.
• Working with a geographically dispersed team to ensure cover for absent colleagues and colleagues in other geographical areas.
• As required, participate in a rota with other engineers for out-of-hours emergency support provision.
• Leading a small team of engineers, being responsible for their personal development and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Deputising for the Area Manger where required.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level in computer science; or equivalent qualification, or a relevant IT apprenticeship
• Significant experience in a second-line technical support role, supporting end user device hardware and software both face to face and remotely.
• Experience of infrastructure support such as network or server management
• Experience/knowledge Microsoft operating systems, M365 and associated infrastructure
• Experience in troubleshooting and supporting specialist systems
• Previous experience within an ITIL environment and using ITIL tools, such as Service Now
• Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining personal networks
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, remain alert to emerging issues, and recommend appropriate course of action.
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Desirable criteria

• Managing a team
• Previous experience in similar role in public sector or similar large organisation

Please note that for roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,148, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,789 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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 will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Experience of leading and developing a team
• Significant experience in a second-line technical support role, supporting end user device hardware and software both face to face and remotely.
• Experience/knowledge Microsoft operating systems, M365 and associated infrastructure

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview in Didcot. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 20th July 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

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

Location

This role is lab based in Didcot. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility criteria

Option 1 - External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC). UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil 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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Jon Payne
• Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk