Lead Application Operations Engineer
Lead Application Operations Engineer
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Job Description
Our Applications & Platforms branch part of the Chief Digital Office is responsible for delivering supporting and managing our business applications and platforms.
As a Lead Application Operations Engineer you will guide a team of engineers in providing second-line support for a diverse range of business-critical applications and platforms. You will collaborate with various stakeholders both internal and external to offer technical expertise and leadership in resolving complex high-priority incidents. Additionally you will ensure application availability and reliability by overseeing the team in monitoring maintenance and configuration duties. This is a key position within the Applications & Platforms branch and you will play a pivotal role in enabling and supporting our expanding team and remit.
We are seeking candidates with hands-on technical expertise in application platform or infrastructure support roles and a proven track record of leading and mentoring teams in delivering critical support services.
Social Security Scotland an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government is undertaking the largest and most complex IT and digital change programme since devolution. With a lifetime budget of over 300m Social Security Scotland is delivering a social security system that will support the people of Scotland for decades to come.
We aim to develop within Social Security Scotland a positive and inclusive culture which supports our people to flourish by embedding a working environment where we all treat each other with dignity and respect and recognise each others contributions.
A lead application operations engineer defines the application strategy and the strategy for security administration.
At this role level you will:
Liaise with leads within IT operations on how applications are performing and changes that need to be put in place.
Potentially manage and maintain certain aspects of an application (depending on the complexity and size of a project and the likely impact it will have on the business).
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Maintain configuration and accurate information controlling IT assets in one or more significant areas.
- Manage service components to ensure they meet business needs and performance targets.
- Deal with high impact complex incidents and change requests.
- Identify process optimisation opportunities with guidance and contribute to the implementation of proposed solutions.
- Lead the investigation and resolution of complex incidents.
- Take accountability for issues that occur and be proactive in searching for potential problems.
- Achieve excellent user outcomes.
- Initiate and monitor actions to investigate patterns and trends to resolve problems.
- Effectively consult specialists where required.
- Determine the appropriate remedy and assist with its implementation.
- Determine preventative measures.
- Take inputs and establish coherent frameworks that work.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the life cycle or capability elements of ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library).
- Draft and maintain procedures and documentation.
- Set standards for the definition security and integrity of objects and ensure conformity to these standards.
- Understand the core technical concepts related to the role and apply them with guidance.
- Identify process improvements and contribute to the definition of best practice.
- Champion user research to focus on all users.
- Offer recommendations on the best tools and methods to use.
Qualifications
Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called Success Profiles which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements
Essential Experience
- Demonstrable experience leading teams in managing and supporting business-critical applications with a proven track record of leading multi-disciplinary teams through complex incident investigations and resolution.
- Proven ability to drive continuous service improvement by challenging established practices with evidence-based strategies including delivering large-scale projects in line with methodologies such as ITIL Prince 2 or Agile.
Behaviours
- Leadership (Level 4)
- Communicating and influencing (Level 4)
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours ()
Technical/Professional Skills:
This role is aligned to Application Operations Engineer within the Digital Data and Technology Profession.
These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations Application operations engineer - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
How to apply
Apply online you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.
Should a large number of applications be received an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement based on the first Experience criteria.
Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.
Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Technical Assessment. The interview will further assess the Experience and Behaviours listed in the job advert and the Technical Assessment will evaluate the Technical Skills relevant to the role.
Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Technical Assessment stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack which will outline the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used.
We aim to provide feedback on request. However if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.
Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift 19th - 27th June 2025
Interviews w/c 14th July 2025
Location In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow
Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.
About us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
DDaT Pay Supplement
This post is part of the Scottish Government Digital Data and Technology (DDAT) profession and as a member of the profession you will join the professional development system. This post currently attracts a 5000 annual DDAT pay supplement applicable after a 3 months competency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly and there is one currently underway. Changes will be communicated when the review is concluded.
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location which will be either Glasgow or you have specific questions about the role you are applying for please contact us.
Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process please contact us at
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further Information
Find out more about our organisation what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
Social Security Scotlands recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission ()
If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles you can make a complaint by contacting Social Security Scotland at in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form please contact the Resourcing Team via
Apply before 18th June 2025 at 23:55
Contact Name- Resourcing Team
Contact email -
Employment Type
Full-Time
