Devops Engineer

Department: Technical Development Unit
Location: Any SEROCU Office (near Fareham / Kidlington / near Gatwick)
Salary: £36,719 per annum
Closing date: 31/03/2024

Targeted Equipment Interference (TEI) is a capability that is growing significantly in demand, and in response to this the Technical Development Unit (TDU), as part of a national network, is expanding. We have a 24 month secondment/fixed term contract for a Dev Ops Engineer who will play a key role in this, sitting in the regional TEI team and working on both local and nationally coordinated projects to develop technology that will transform UK policing operations.

The role holder will carry out capability development, adapting existing solutions or developing new ones to meet operational requirements. Acting as a subject matter expert, they will work with the regional team, local partners, the wider network and commercial suppliers, partaking in product research and proposals to push existing boundaries.

This is an extremely varied and fulfilling role, working in a highly collaborative team environment to think outside the box and deliver highly creative capability solutions.

To be successful in this role, you should have experience of programming and of working on technical projects, solving complex problems. You will be a collaborative worker, able to work under pressure with a passion for learning and a desire to learn new skills.

This role is expected to be largely hybrid working, with time split between working from home, SEROCU offices, and travelling to different locations across the national network for business purposes. Therefore, the successful candidate will require a full UK driving licence.

Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary to pass and maintain vetting level SC, with a view to attaining and maintaining DV level whilst in post. In order to achieve this, you must have resided in the UK for the past ten years.  In addition you must be a British National and provide documentary evidence of this.

Exemptions may apply for overseas or other diplomatic service (with HM Government), and studying abroad.

Responsibilities

• Meet operational requirements, carry out capability development either alone or alongside other Engineers. This includes utilising existing capability, adapting and uplifting current capability, or developing new technology to respond to new challenges. Take the lead to prototype and iterate technical ideas using a variety of methods to design, build and integrate solutions into existing systems to ensure they are fit for operational use.
• Work with the wider Network and commercial suppliers to create new, bespoke innovative solutions and partake in product research and proposals to push existing boundaries. Where required, identify opportunities to optimise development processes and lead/deliver service improvements.
• Ensure all capability development (and associated documentation) is in line with project specifications to meet the operational requirements. Utilising technical expertise, work collaboratively with capability users to understand their needs and guide the user to the most suitable solution.
• Provide subject matter expertise to technical questions and make decisions (supported by the Manager and wider team) around the best technology to utilise in specific projects.
• Build technical capability through delivering the appropriate training and upskilling the team and the wider policing teams.
• Engage with the legal oversight body (IPCO) to ensure legal compliance.
• Design solutions and services with security controls embedded, specifically engineered with mitigation of security threats as a core feature.

Further comments

• Targeted Equipment Interference (TEI) Network: Criminals are using increasingly complex methodologies to evade law enforcement, and we need to use new and innovative methods to remain ahead of the threat. Under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, police were granted the power to use TEI to interfere with a range of devices to identify criminality. Since this legislation was introduced, use of TEI capabilities has risen significantly and we are now growing the Network to meet this demand. There are 10 regional TEI teams across the 43 police forces, in addition to a national TEI team.
• This role works as part of a UK-wide network of like-minded individuals who thrive on solving technical problems and have a passion for public safety.
• No two operations are the same, so days will be extremely varied and fulfilling for the role holder. Depending on the complex operations at hand, they’ll always need to think outside the box and deliver creative capability solutions.
• This role works in a highly collaborative team environment, interacting with key stakeholders across end-to-end operations, from Senior Investigators, Deployment Operators, Software Developers, and other Engineers. Day-to-day the role holder is supported by their Manager and the Central Principal DevOps Engineer, but they work with limited supervision, giving the autonomy to plan and prioritise their workload.

Required knowledge/skills
Essential

• Experience in common programming languages e.g. C, Python.
• Qualified to degree level or possess equivalent deep knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals.
• A collaborative worker with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate and build impactful relationships.
• Able to work under pressure, prioritising workloads and working to tight timescales within a dynamic environment.
• Understands that investigations can be very fluid and evolving and there could be times where longer or unsocial hours may be required.
• Possess a strong desire for learning and growth. Must be committed to personal development and building breadth and depth of technical skill.

Desirable

• The types of technology we use are extremely broad and we don’t expect you to know about them all, but demonstrable experience and practical knowledge of one of the following would be desirable:

Vulnerability research
Exploit development
Penetration testing
Operating System internals (windows, iOS or Android)
Database Architecture
Low level languages development (Assembly)
Electronics Engineering
DevOps Cloud Architecture

What we can offer you

• Annual leave: Ranging from 24 days annual leave up to 30 days leave, dependent on your broad band and length of service.
• Generous defined benefits scheme, via the Bucks County Council Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Blue Light Card: Staff have the opportunity to join the national Blue Light Card scheme which offers discounts on a variety of products and services to those working in the emergency services, NHS and Armed Forces (for example, 10% off in Starbucks).
• Military Resettlement Bonus.
• Benefits Platform: Access to the TVP Benefits Platform which offers a range of discounts from top high street and online stores (provided by Reward Gateway)
• Career Development:

Coaching and mentoring support
Developing Potential Programme
Support for Study
Training courses

• Financial:

Contributory pension scheme
Debt management support
Group insurance scheme
Savings scheme

• Health & Wellbeing:

Chaplaincy
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Flexible working and supportive culture
Discounted gym membership
Mind Blue Light support
Occupational Health services
Free Flu Vaccinations
Reimbursed eye tests for VDU users
Welfare services
Workplace needs assessments and support

• Travel:

Bus concessions
Cycle to work scheme

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £36,719.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee mentoring programme
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: 20747