Lead Infrastructure Engineer / Team Lead (Forward Deployed)

Description About Rowden We're building the next UK-headquartered engineering powerhouse.
At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital.
Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high-pressure settings.
Headquartered in Bristol (UK), we combine modern engineering methods with cutting-edge commercial technology to create adaptable, mission-critical systems.
We focus on solving the tough challenges that others overlook, ensuring our customers can operate effectively in an ever-changing world.
Our team of Forward Deployed Specialists   Join Rowden's Forward Deployed Team and work where the action is.
You'll collaborate directly with customers on-site, tackling their most complex technology challenges.
From diagnosing critical issues to deploying innovative solutions, you'll be at the forefront of solving real-world problems that matter.
If you're hands-on, thrive in fast-paced environments, and want to see the impact of your work up close – this is the team for you.
What's in It for You:  Impact and Purpose: Your work makes a difference — directly supporting defence, national security, and frontline operators.
Professional Growth: Experience faster learning, deeper technical challenges, and exposure to real-world constraints that sharpen your skills.
Team Expansion: Be part of a growing team that's delivering results and scaling up.
Help us shape what forward deployment looks like as we expand into new projects and new regions.
The Role: Principal Infrastructure Engineer / Team Lead   As a Forward Deployed Principal Infrastructure Engineer, you will oversee the design, build, management, and support of critical on-premises IT infrastructure for our customer.
You'll lead a small, specialist team to manage a system relied upon by hundreds of deployed users.
With your solid technical experience, you will be able to provide authoritative technical leadership to the project, navigate considerable uncertainty, and deliver results for the customer.
For the right person, this is an awesome opportunity to have a real impact in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.
You will require extensive knowledge across a wide range of security classification domains, including workload virtualisation, enterprise operating systems, advanced networking concepts, and hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI).
Breadth of experience in areas such as high availability (HA), fault-tolerant systems, and software-defined networking (e.g., SD-WAN) is highly valuable.
Key skills include strong troubleshooting capabilities, effective problem management, and the ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Additionally, you must excel at breaking down complex tasks into manageable workloads, empowering junior IT engineers to contribute effectively while developing their expertise.
Your initial deployment is anticipated to be on-site in the West Midlands for approximately two years, working within a hybrid team of contractors and military personnel for a government organisation.
While this role offers hybrid working options, it requires a minimum of 4 days per week on-site.
Candidates must be willing to obtain a UKNSV security clearance with SC being essential, and DV clearance desirable.
You do not have to have worked on customer sites or in a consultancy role previously.
More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels   Key areas of responsibility As Rowden's Lead Infrastructure Engineer/Team Lead, you will be responsible for:  Maintain and optimise the IT infrastructure, ensuring it remains robust and scalable.
This includes managing configuration changes, performing system upgrades, and implementing infrastructure-as-code (IaC) practices to streamline deployment and consistency.
Lead troubleshooting and fault resolution processes using systematic and logical approaches.
Ensure timely identification and resolution of issues to minimise downtime and improve overall system reliability.
Design, develop, and deploy new infrastructure components such as network devices, virtual machines, containers, and orchestration workflows.
Use tools such as CI/CD pipelines to automate and enhance deployment efficiency.
Produce detailed system diagrams and documentation, adhering to high standards of accuracy and diligence.
Implement and maintain robust monitoring, logging, and alerting solutions to provide real-time insights into system performance.
Enable proactive responses to potential issues, preventing system outages and optimising uptime.
You will be responsible for driving the implementation of Agile and DevOps processes within the team, promoting iterative workflows, continuous feedback, and cross-functional collaboration.
Act as a champion for fostering a culture of adaptability, shared ownership, and continuous improvement to enhance operational efficiency and delivery quality.
Develop and standardise build processes for end-user devices to ensure secure and consistent integration with Private Cloud infrastructure.
Provide detailed guides and workflows for seamless adoption by other team members.
About you Key skills, experience and behaviours Degree or equivalent education in computer science, IT, or related field.
Extensive experience as an infrastructure engineer with a strong understanding of networking, Enterprise operating systems, and virtualisation technologies.
Proficiency with Cisco networking and security appliances, BSD, Linux (RHEL 9.x), Windows Server 2022, and virtualisation platforms such as VMware vSphere/vCenter 8.0 is essential.
Certifications in these areas are desirable but not mandatory.
Knowledge of scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) and automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, or similar is highly valuable.
Experience in implementing infrastructure-as-code (IaC) practices and tooling is preferred.
Proven experience in adopting and implementing Agile and DevOps processes to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and delivery.
This includes fostering a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging iterative workflows, managing cross-functional team collaboration, and ensuring alignment between development and operational goals.
Proven ability to lead an engineering team and work independently.
Prior experience in a leadership position is highly desirable.
Ability to breakdown complex tasks into manageable work packages for junior engineers and oversee their execution.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to explain complex IT concepts to various stakeholders.
Key Attributes   Problem-solver: demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, debug, and resolve complex issues in a timely manner.
Detail-oriented: strong attention to detail and adherence to best practices.
Adaptable and self-motivated: ability to quickly learn new technologies and continuously develop technical skills.
Mentor and teacher: able to develop more junior engineers.
Collaborative team player: excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a willingness to collaborate and share knowledge.
Continuous improvement mindset: a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement, seeking growth both personally and for the team.
Agile Mindset: Demonstrates a strong commitment to Agile principles.
Exhibits excellent facilitation skills to align teams around shared goals, prioritise effectively, and foster a collaborative and innovative working environment.
Working at Rowden We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company.
Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!
Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles.
Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.
Finally, if you feel that you don't meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we'd still love to hear from you!
Our Mission:     To create the best possible technology for frontline operators.
We're upending the conventions of government technology provision and bringing a leaner, more transparent, and lower-friction approach that reduces waste and places outcome over process.
We believe every possible measure should be taken to provide frontline operators in today's dynamic and rapidly changing world with the technology they need to help keep themselves and others safe.
Our Vision:     We offer fast and flexible solutions to the technical challenges of public sector organisations.
We are specialists in software-centric systems, with deep expertise in developing capabilities for constrained networking environments or with challenging cyber security requirements.
But the Rowden difference is as much cultural as it is technical: 'what we do' and 'how we do it' are equally important.
We are specifically organised to create and sustain pace, reduce waste and inefficiency, and drive better outcomes.
You'll see and feel that energy and intent all over our business.
What matters to us?
Our focus is on the end user.
We exist to deliver the best possible outcomes for the users of our systems.
Pace matters.
The problems we solve are urgent.
Our diverse skills and backgrounds make us better.
Our team prides itself on being inclusive and multidisciplinary.
We are radically honest.
Saying what we mean, even when it isn't easy.
We are pragmatists.
We provide realistic, focused solutions that get to the point.
We improve continuously.
We are relentless in our drive to make things better.