
Senior Application Operations Engineer
Job summary
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
Our Digital and Data technology team are at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide best in-class solutions for our clients, helping to shape and support a data driven future for UK government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they are on hand to support. Now, you’ve got the opportunity to join them.
Providing innovation to government partners.
Delivering best-in-class solutions.
Working at the cutting-edge of technology
It all matters.
Make a vital contribution to the success of our international IT operation
Our highly collaborative teams of IT engineers, analysts and managers help to keep the UK safe and secure, and when you join us in this role you’ll make a vital contribution to the maintenance and installation of our complex software and operating systems. Carrying out routine maintenance and administration tasks to ensure applications are available correctly, you’ll identify any operational problems or faults, use all your expertise as you contribute to their resolution, and provide our specialists, users and managers with proposals for improvements to our operations.
Documenting information about assets across their life cycle, and preparing high and low-level technical and operational process documentation, you’ll engage with our users and stakeholders to gather evidence relating to incidents and problems, and keep them informed of progress. Coaching, mentoring and sharing your expertise with your associates and colleagues, you’ll have plenty of time to keep up to speed with the latest technologies while maintaining your own professional development. In addition, we’ll expect you to contribute to the delivery of on-call services, and you may also be asked to support some out-of-hours work.
Use all your expertise as you help defend the UK’s security interests
With relevant ITIL Foundation-level experience, you should possess strong Microsoft Server expertise and a solid technical understanding of the software, hardware, networks, and systems supported by our organisation. It is essential that you have significant experience working within a high-pressure, fast-paced team environment in a similar role. This should include supporting complex technologies within secure enterprise environments, such as those found within the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
In addition, you should have practitioner-level experience working with .NET applications, strong knowledge of T-SQL, and hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure. You will be expected to apply these technical skills effectively to support, maintain, and enhance business-critical systems and services.
You should have a Level 3 Information Communication Technician or IT Computer Science qualification, or relevant experience, and the ability to use relevant tools, such as ServiceNow would be desirable. Strong numerical and analytical skills are important, and working knowledge of relevant components, devices, processes and protocols would be a plus.
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: 2nd August 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.
Person specification
We are looking for people with:
- Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT Computer Science or relevant experience
- Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience
- Microsoft role-based certification - Expert and relevant product certifications
- Practitioner level knowledge of hardware, software and systems being supported
- Substantial experience in relevant roles, including technologies in an enterprise environment, and of working within a secure environment, e.g. MOD
- Experience in a high-pressured, fast-paced team
Qualifications
Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT Computer Science or relevant experienceAgile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience
Microsoft role-based certification - Expert and relevant product certifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT Computer Science or relevant experience
- Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience
- Microsoft role-based certification - Expert and relevant product certifications
- Substantial experience in relevant roles, including technologies in an enterprise environment, and of working within a secure environment, e.g. MOD
- Experience in a high-pressured, fast-paced team
- Practitioner level knowledge of hardware, software and systems being supported
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT Computer Science or relevant experience
- Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience
- Microsoft role-based certification - Expert and relevant product certifications
- Substantial experience in relevant roles, including technologies in an enterprise environment, and of working within a secure environment, e.g. MOD
- Practitioner level knowledge of hardware, software and systems being supported
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £48,801, FCDO Services contributes £14,137 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.
- Annual leave starting at 25 days.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service pension.
- Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
- 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 MS Teams 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.
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 : FCDO Services Recruitment Team
- Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
Recruitment team
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 Senior Application Operations Engineer final Opens in new window (pdf, 1811kB)Salary range
- £48,801 - £50,270 per year








