Platform/Infrastructure Engineer

Location: Leeds (Hybrid – Office & Home Working available)
Department: Engineering
Reports to: Systems Manager

The Role

As a Platform/Infrastructure Engineer at aql, you will be the engine room of our technology stack. Working as an integrated member of the Systems Team alongside DevOps Engineers, you will bridge the gap between operations and development.

This is not just a maintenance role; it is an opportunity to own the stability and efficiency of the platforms that power our business. You will act as the vital link between our 2nd line TechOps team and our high-level engineering projects, providing deep technical insight and 3rd line escalation support. If you are driven by making a tangible difference to stability rather than just chasing the latest "cutting edge" buzzwords, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Engineering: You will support, maintain, and expand the aql systems estate, ensuring our virtual infrastructure and databases are secure and efficient.
Technical Escalation: You will lead technical investigations and troubleshooting, acting as the expert escalation point for the Technical Operations team.
Monitoring & Reliability: You will implement robust monitoring solutions and manage storage and backups to ensure production-standard resilience.
Project Delivery: You will manage assigned infrastructure projects with minimal supervision, keeping stakeholders updated and delivering within agreed timescales.
Knowledge Sharing: You will actively use resources such as Linux Academy to upskill, while sharing your knowledge to elevate the wider team.
24/7 Support: You will participate in a weekly on-call rotation to ensure our infrastructure remains available around the clock.

The Technical Stack

We are looking for a minimum of 3+ years of production-standard experience. While you don’t need to know everything, a strong working knowledge of the following is essential:

Core Systems: Deep Linux systems administration experience. Ideally, you hold a Linux LPI/LPIC or CompTIA accreditation.
Virtualisation & Containers: Experience with virtualisation platforms (Nutanix) and containerisation technologies (Docker).
Configuration Management: Proficiency with tools such as SaltStack or Ansible.
Data Technologies: Management of MariaDB/MySQL databases and NoSQL storage solutions (Redis, Elasticsearch, RabbitMQ).
Development Practices: Familiarity with DevOps, SRE, and Agile practices, including scripting and automation.
Tools: Experience with Vagrant and standard infrastructure monitoring platforms.

The Person We Need

A Pragmatist: You are driven by creating stable, efficient environments rather than experimenting with bleeding-edge technology.
A Self-Starter: You are resourceful and eager to learn, capable of managing tasks independently while knowing when to collaborate.
A Clear Communicator: You are technically competent and can explain complex ideas to colleagues across networking, development, and support teams.
Process-Driven: You maintain a strong safety record and adhere strictly to ISO 27001–compliant processes.
Adaptable: You enjoy moving between multiple tasks and projects, adapting to changing requirements as you solve problems.

Why join aql?

We are an Engineering department that values learning, safety, and collaboration.

Hybrid Flexibility: We balance office-based collaboration with home working options.
Invested in You: We provide access to training resources, such as Linux Academy, to support your professional growth.
Fair Compensation: On-call duties are part of the role, and we ensure you are compensated with time back in lieu.
Real Impact: You will be an integrated member of the team, with your work directly improving the stability and security of our services.

If you are an experienced engineer ready for a challenge and passionate about delivering high-quality infrastructure, apply today.