UK NACE Associate Engineer - Infrastructure Operations

Job summary

Associate Engineer – Infrastructure Operations

£34,889 plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits

Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes with occasional travel to London

Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Beyond our worldwide work in construction, logistics, and more, we're also home to the UK National Authority for Counter Eavesdropping (UK NACE). Working at the cutting edge of technology, the teams at UK NACE guard against technical espionage, provide policy advice to the government, investigate threats, and more – all to protect our nation's secrets. Now, you’ve got the opportunity to join them.

Keeping the nation’s secrets, secret

Working on one-of-a-kind projects

Vital to national security

It all matters

Develop your career as you support our global mission

When you join our small, friendly team of engineers in this unique role it will be your task to support the core infrastructure that underpins UK NACE’s operational services, helping to ensure we adhere to the relevant policies and procedures, and following guidance and processes as we deliver to service-level agreements. Committed to engaging with our users or stakeholders to gather evidence relating to any incidents or problems that occur, you’ll share information with colleagues, Service Desk and other IT Operations teams to resolve these and keep the relevant parties updated with your progress.

Installing and configuring hardware and software, and carrying out routine operational procedures to our systems, you’ll maintain secure configuration and accurate information, control IT assets in one or more significant area, and liaise with our external suppliers and contractors on day-to-day operational matters. This is a great position for anyone with a passion for IT, and as the ideal starting role with our organisation, will offer you the chance to work on a variety of unique projects with the latest operating systems. You’ll also enjoy excellent training and development opportunities, and once established, have the opportunity to move to other roles in UK NACE and FCDO Services.

Protect the nation’s secrets, be a security expert of the future

To be a success in this exciting, career-defining role you should hold an NVQ Level 3 qualification and have completed an IT apprenticeship, or possess some hands-on working experience, for example as a Helpdesk Analyst. It’s vital that you have well developed knowledge of the ITIL environment, and in addition to a strong technical understanding of the hardware, software and networking systems we support and their associated security procedures, you’ll be a skilled programmer and builder, and possess the skills to analyse, interrogate and evaluate data.

An imaginative problem solver with a strong user focus and the confidence to take responsibility for your own actions and decisions, you’ll have a good understanding of asset, configuration and incident management. It’s also important that you’re familiar with systems operations and service reporting, while any experience of working in a secure ITIL environment at T2 or T3 classification would be desirable. You’ll be at an advantage if you’re studying for an ITIL Foundation certificate or other product/role-based certifications, and experience of creating operational process documentation would be a bonus. In addition, hands-on knowledge of relevant build and delivery processes, methodologies and tools, and their relevant components, devices and protocols would be desirable.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Closing date: 4th October 2026

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

This role is 100% on site at Hanslope Park.

Person specification

• NVQ Level 3 qualification;
• Relevant experience, e.g. as Helpdesk Analyst or completed IT apprenticeship;
• Strong technical understanding of hardware, software and/or networking systems being supported, and associated Security Procedures;
• Knowledge of the ITIL environment

You will be skilled in the following:

• Programming and build
• Asset and configuration management
• Systems operations
• Incident management
• Service reporting
• Problem solving
• Analyse, interrogate and evaluate data
• User focus

Qualifications

NVQ Level 3 qualification

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Relevant experience, e.g. as Helpdesk Analyst or completed IT apprenticeship
• Strong technical understanding of hardware, software and/or networking systems being supported, and associated Security Procedures
• Knowledge of the ITIL environment

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,889, FCDO Services contributes £10,107 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
• A leave allowance of 25 days per annum
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

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.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

no personal identifying details

career history with key responsibilities

achievements

qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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 : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

Attachments

Candidate Pack- UK NACE Associate Engineer- Infrastucture Operations - Opens in new window (pdf, 2051kB)