Senior Systems Administrator

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
Information Services and Security have a vital role to play in a crucial national mission. We’re here to enable the organisation to deliver through the use of technology. As AWE transforms itself to meet the needs of the UK’s next-generation nuclear deterrent, we need to adapt to deliver data-driven decision making, flexible and future-proofed IT services, adaptable cyber security, support to a multi-billion Pound building programme, and many more.
The scale might be daunting to some, but you’ll find it stimulating. We’ve got a long journey that we’ve only just started and we’re looking for motivated people who can take us in the right direction. Your role will contribute directly to that shared mission. We won’t deceive you, in some areas we’re starting from a low base, but within ten years this organisation will look very different, and you can help make that happen. This is a role where you’ll contribute to a legacy of national security for decades to come. So come and join us.
AWE is seeking an experienced, innovative, and dedicated Senior Systems Administrator to join our team to provide Server support to an AWE onsite customer. Each day offers a new challenge and learning opportunity.
As an experienced Senior Systems Administrator, you would possess a deep and broad knowledge of Microsoft computer platforms, Virtualised Server Infrastructure and configuration and should be able to communicate well in both verbal and written form. You will be working as part of the IT Team and have technical responsibility for key parts of the IT infrastructure. Your role will require hands-on technical experience, the ability to assess the impact of complex regulatory requirements and ensure IT systems are conforming to those regulations.
You will be a key member of the team in a demanding high-tech environment, supporting members of the organisation in both project and operational aspects of the business platforms, delivering highly available systems. You will be challenged to improve the infrastructure in order to facilitate continuous growth within the business. There is also an expectation to play an active role in the on-call team who will support the business out of hours.
Location - Reading area
Salary from £42,700 - £60,000
As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
• Life Assurance
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site

Key Accountabilities:

• To support the Technical Service Manager(s) and Team Leader in maintaining the operational status, and maximising availability of assets to programme demanders.
• Resolution of significant issues.
• Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security and quality and be a great team player.
• Additional accountabilities for this job profile may be defined and appointed through the Chief Engineer Management Arrangements, with appointees listed within the Company Design Authorities and Technical Authorities, as held in the company management system.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide a resilient cost effective highly available infrastructure to the business on top of which hosted services can be deployed, managed and maintained.
• To manage the day-to-day sustainment of Infrastructure Systems, ensuring that planning, end-user impact, change management and problem management are properly addressed and monitored to ensure that deadlines, budgets and service levels are met and results delivered.
• Be responsible for diagnosing and following through to resolution any problems, escalating to team members or other teams and vendors when required.
• Build relationships with other teams within IT Operations to enable better support and communications.
• To maintain technical skills to allow us to benefit from new and emerging technologies in order to make supportive decisions
• Attend technical briefing / support groups.
• Understand and develop support system road maps.
• The Company may require you to fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs

You Will Have:

• Extensive experience with Microsoft Server 2012/16/19 Installation and Administration as well as knowledge of Windows 7/8.1/10.
• In-depth experience of virtualisation technologies including VMware.
• A good working knowledge on a breadth of technologies including Active Directory, PowerShell and proficient knowledge of tools such as SCCM and MDT.
• Degree in IS/IT or ONC/HNC in an IS/IT related subject or relevant experience.
• Be able to create technical documentation for a technical audience.
• Working knowledge of ITIL framework. Technical investigation and problem-solving skills. - D
• Experience in troubleshooting technical problems involving software and operating systems.

All Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.
Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.