Applications Operations Engineer - NCA - HEO

Location

Birmingham, Bristol, Calder (Normanton), Leicester, London*, Warrington

* For roles based in London, your contractual place of work will be Stratford. While the Stratford site is expected to become operational from November 2025 – March 2026, you will be required to carry out your contractual duties from Vauxhall or another reasonable location on a temporary basis during the interim period. Please note that, as Stratford will be your contractual place of work, any subsequent move from a temporary location will not entitle you to payments for travel time or costs under the Relocation and Excess Travel Policy.

About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking to recruit an Application Operations Engineer to join our DF Engineering Team, which works within the Specialist Operational Services (SOS) function.

The SOS team works within the wider DDaT Enterprise Services function and runs and maintains the NCAs most sensitive operationally focused front-line IT services. The team is comprised of IT professionals, law enforcement and staff with an technology focused mind-set, willing to go that extra mile to achieve real world benefits for the UK, together we ensure that specialist services are fit for purpose, agile, delivered 24/7 and have a direct impact on the NCAs mission of protecting the public from serious and organised crime (SOC).

Through developing and provisioning of cutting edge technology services, the SOS function will enhance intelligence collection, surveillance and digital forensics capabilities to support the Agency’s fight against serious and organised crime. 

The SOS function brings together Digital Forensics and Targeted Interception services which include International deployments.  Additional teams and specialist services are also being identified to move into this Engineering function so the Agency is able to respond proactively to the changing nature of the SOC threats. 

The Targeted Interception Engineering function is responsible for deployment, configuration and support of hi-end technical capabilities including infrastructure, networking and software used within Integrated Communications Intelligence (ICI) department, wider policing partners including NPCC and MPS and overseas partners. Targeted Interception Engineering leads on specifying, designing, developing, delivering and supporting new technical capabilities and for the requirements capture to make use of raw intelligence material for ICI and partners.

The Digital Forensics (DF) engineering function is responsible for deployment, configuration and support of hi-end digital forensics tools including infrastructure, networking and software used within the Investigations department and for overseas partners.  

Job description

The purpose of the Applications Operations Engineer role is to support and maintain critical digital forensic and/or intelligence collection applications to ensure they meet the NCAs evolving operational demands. Working in a small team of highly enthusiastic IT professional staff, transferring skills within the team will ensure we are better placed to look after the SOS networks to provide full critical support, upgrades, development and maintenance.

The role involves supports the delivery of 1st, 2nd and 3rd line support of technical systems to a professional standard, adapting to and meeting user requirements; Installing new hardware, installation and configuration of a mixture of Operating Systems including Windows Server 2019, 2019, 2022 and Windows 10 and 11, virtual servers (VMWare and Hyper-V) and the use of containerized technologies; Supporting systems maintenance in line with technical requirements for business area.  

This post requires SC clearance as a minimum, with a possibility to gain DV within 12 months of being in post.

Due to the nature of this role, travel between sites may be required. As such, a Full, clean, UK Driving Licence is desirable. 

Please note, staff in our DF Engineering functions will form part of an on-call rota.

This role aligns to Application Operations Engineer within the Government Digital and Data career framework.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Business as Usual Support - Help deliver 2nd and 3rd line support of the supported SOS systems to a professional standard, meeting user requirements, reacting to system problems to ensure continued availability of SOS systems within defined service levels.  Support 1st and 2nd line functions if required to ensure the business can function as efficiently as possible.
Installation of hardware - Installation of desktop computers, screens and build/delivery of laptops where required
Installation of software - Installation, updating or upgrading of software including of support, asset management plus managing licensing requirements
Creation and maintenance of system documentation - Create technical designs and ensure High and Low Level Designs (HLD/LLD) are maintained to an accurate level
Continual Improvement - Researching advances in technology to better meet business requirements with innovative solutions to meet business or technical problems
Client Image Build - Creation of client images including deployment and testing, using Windows Deployment Server or similar technologies
Patching and upgrades - Using standard IT tooling to deploy and test software patches
Configuration - Implementation of Group Policies for servers and clients to ensure the secure running and use of the systems.
DHCP and DNS - Be able to deploy DHCP and DNS services, fault find these services in the event of a system problem being identified
Certificates - Be able to generate system certificates at renewal or based on certificate requests
Server Maintenance - Assist with supporting servers within the current network.
Supporting the wider SOS team - Providing  support to the wider team, assisting where needed and to share knowledge, providing briefing sessions and training material to aid in that process. 
Assist in project work - Be the lead for new projects in developing new technologies to best meet the requirements.
Digital forensic principles - To gain an understanding of digital forensic tools or techniques would be useful, even at a basic level.
Networking - Have a basic understanding of networking to be able to fault find servers and / or network issues
Active Directory Management - Upgrade of Domain Functional Levels and AD architecture in line with industry best practice

 

Virtual Open Evening Event

To find out more about the role and the application process we will be holding a virtual opening evening via MS Teams on Wednesday, 22 October 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

This event is by invitation only. To register, please click on the following link

DDat Enterprise Services Engineers - Virtual Event

Please note, you will be asked for your name and email address. The registration will close on Sunday, 19 October 2025 at 11:00 p.m.

You will not be able to register after this date and time.

Person specification

Basic understanding of Servers, storage systems and configuration - Basic knowledge of IT hardware; installation and configuration of operating systems including virtualized environments 
Problem Solving - Using logic and imagination to make sense of a situation and find an intelligent solution.
Communication - Conveys information clearly and effectively through written and verbal communication. 
Team Work - Works effectively with others to focus on and achieve joint outcomes, rather than individual goals.
Adaptability - Be able to learn quickly in a fast moving agile environment and adapt to new technologies.
Fault finding - Troubleshooting and provide resolution for system incidents.  Recording and sharing the knowledge where appropriate
Software and applications - Knowledge of software/application; installation and configuration

On-call working  

The post holder may be required to participate in an on call 24/7 rota. If you do perform on-call duties, you will be entitled to an On-Call allowance, for each session you are on-call, aligned to renumeration policy.

Essential Criteria

You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.
Entry Requirements  

Experience for the following essential entry requirements:

Experience of Servers including a basic knowledge of configuration & installation
Experience of maintaining software and applications on servers or end user devices
Experience in the configuration of Active Directory, Group Policies and certificate management
Experience of maintaining and fault finding within an infrastructure which includes multiple physical and virtual servers

Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.

Behaviours

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

Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace