Principal Infrastructure Engineer

Job summary

Ready to shape the future of a major regulatory body's tech landscape? As our Principal Infrastructure Engineer, you will drive the delivery of cutting-edge cloud and on-premise platforms like Azure and AWS. From designing modern system architecture to leading high-impact tech roadmaps, your expertise will keep our vital services secure, scalable, and flying high.

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the UK’s principal competition and consumer protection authority. We promote competition and protect consumers with a clear end goal in mind: to drive economic growth and improve household prosperity. The CMA has a range of powers, which it uses to undertake a wide variety of cutting-edge, high profile and complex work, spanning merger and market inquiries, competition and consumer law enforcement, our role in the digital markets competition regime, subsidy advice, and internal market advice.

We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack

Job description

What you will do

As an Infrastructure Engineer, here is what you will do:

• Ensure services are integrated, delivered and operated as required
• Work with and support third parties in providing infrastructure services
• Work with the Head of IT Infrastructure to create/review architectural designs and implement into operations
• Provide input into technology roadmaps, projects and tasks
• Work with Service Desk to ensure timely resolution of tickets associated with these services and provide guidance and support.

You can read the full job description on the attached role profile.

What you will need

• Proven Experience: At least 3 years of practical work experience working as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer.
• Core Infrastructure Expertise: Solid background designing and implementing technologies like Microsoft Azure, AWS, Entra ID, Active Directory, Always On VPN, and Azure Virtual Desktop.
• System Integration Skills: Hands-on experience connecting complex services across Azure and AWS, enabling single sign-on, and managing Windows Server 2022, Nutanix, and SQL Server.
• Secure Systems Design: Ability to design secure systems using "Secure by Design" frameworks, with experience in tools like Microsoft Sentinel, Defender, Darktrace, and the Cyber Assessment Framework.
• Deep Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of cloud capacity planning, Microsoft 365 (Teams, Intune, Purview, Autopilot), and disaster recovery solutions like Rubrik.
• Advanced Troubleshooting: Strong skills in finding and fixing root causes of complex technical issues using Azure Monitor, Windows event logs, and PowerShell scripting.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills to explain technical issues clearly to both tech-savvy teams and non-technical staff, including managing updates during live incidents

What we can offer you

In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work – an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee assistance programme and flexible working options.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential:

• Qualifications: Have atleast 3 years practical work experience working as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer (Lead Criteria)
• IT infrastructure. Experience designing and implementing infrastructure technologies, solutions and services, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Entra ID, Active Directory, hybrid identity, multi-factor authentication, Always On VPN, Azure Virtual Desktop, DNS, DHCP, and on-premises and cloud-based Group Policy.
• System integration. Knowledge of integrating moderately complex services, particularly across Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, and enabling single sign-on through Microsoft Entra ID. Experience with Windows Server 2022, hyperconverged infrastructure platforms such as Hyper-V and Nutanix, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft file servers and Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Systems design. Experience designing secure systems with moderate levels of risk, impact and business or technical complexity. Ability to select and apply appropriate design standards, methods and tools; review others’ designs to confirm suitable technology choices and efficient use of resources; and provide technical assurance. Experience applying Secure by Design principles using technologies and frameworks such as Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, Darktrace, Sophos, UK GDPR and the Cyber Assessment Framework.
• Technical understanding. In-depth knowledge of the technical concepts relevant to the role, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and cloud capacity planning; Microsoft 365, Teams, Intune, Purview and Windows Autopilot; and Nutanix, Azure Virtual Machines and Azure Virtual Desktop. Experience in disaster recovery and business continuity planning, including the Rubrik backup solution, and familiarity with Microsoft public key infrastructure and certificate services.
• Troubleshooting and problem resolution. Experience analysing complex issues, identifying root causes and resolving problems across technologies including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Windows 11 and HP server Proficiency in using Azure Monitor and Logs, Windows event logs and PowerShell to support diagnosis and resolution.
• Stakeholder engagement. Strong stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences. Experience supporting the preparation of staff communications on technical issues and providing updates during incident resolution.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be assessed against the Digital, Data and Technology profession capability framework at Principal infrastructure Engineer- https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/infrastructure-en…
• You will also be asked other technical questions based on the person specification attached in the role profile.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,300, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £17,758 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).

You’ll also get:

• 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
• Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
• Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
• A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.

Our Values

We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence.​ We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.​

Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.

You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack

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 is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.Application and sift stage

• As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.
• At the sift stage, your application (CV & personal statement) will be reviewed and assessed against the essential criteria listed under the Person Specification of the role profile.
• Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application. Your personal statement should be no more than 1250 words.
• You will first be sifted on the lead essential criteria.
• If you meet the lead essential criteria you will then be progressed to the full sift. If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification will then be considered.
• We may raise the score required at sift stage to progress to interview if we receive a high number of applications and take through the highest performing candidates to the interview stage.
• Successful candidates at sift will be invited to an interview which will be conducted in-person at the CMA's office.

Interview stage

• At the CMA we apply a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you and we use the Success Profiles framework assessing the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills outlined in the advert and attached role profile.
• The interview will consist of 2 rounds.
• 1st round will involve a 30 - 45 mins practical lab test followed by technical round of questions - in total 1.5 hrs in one of our CMA offices.
• Those passing the 1st round will be called for a 2nd round of interview which will be a 45-60 minute behavioural interview held on Teams.
• A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Timeline (the dates outlined below are indicative and may be subject to change)

• The advert closing date is 07 September 2026 (23:55). We are not able to accept late applications.
• The sift is scheduled to take place between 08 -13 September 2026.
• Interviews will be held from the week commencing 21 September.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.

For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : CMA Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Attachments

Role Profile - Principal Infrastructure Engineer Opens in new window (pdf, 371kB)