DevOps Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: 24340 per annum(rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term 24 months
Hours: Full-time 37 hours
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Campus Didcot OX11 0QX
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026

Are you curious about what it takes to power world-class science

Join the Digital Infrastructure Group where we deliver first-class IT services that underpin the STFC scientific programme and its partners. From High Power Computing Data Centre facilities to advanced networking cyber security and cloud technologies we provide the backbone for ground-breaking discoveries.

As an HPC DevOps Apprentice youll learn how to manage and support the systems that keep our HPC Data Centres running. Your primary focus will be on the daily operation of monitoring tools and supporting critical infrastructure such as HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Cooling) and electrical systems through monitoring data collection and creating interactive dashboards.

Youll work closely with the HPC Data Centre Operations team and collaborate with colleagues gaining valuable insight into how HPC Data Centres are developed and maintained to meet STFCs goals and priorities.

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

Were looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice youll gain real-world experience build technical and professional skills and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic supportive environment.

Youll be fully supported throughout the programme with regular check-ins from a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator structured training practical experience and mentorship from industry professionals. Plus youll have access to workshops a peer network and career development support helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.

Why join the HPC team at STFC

By joining Digital Infrastructure High Performance Computing team youll become part of a team that powers the UKs most advanced scientific research. Youll work in a collaborative environment with experienced professionals gain hands-on experience with HPC Data Centres and enterprise-grade technologies and develop skills that are in high demand across the industry. If youre passionate about technology and want your work to make a real impact this is the place to start your journey.

Qualifications gained

Level 4 DevOps Engineer: DevOps engineer / Skills England

What youll learn:

The role of a DevOps Engineer is to enable organisations to get valuable working software out in front of active users both external and internalina timely mannerand optimised for delivery. The apprentice will learn about all aspects of the development and operations process the design build test implementationreleaseand continual iteration of products.

• Scriptingcodingand testing
• Knowledge sharing and collaboration
• Agile working methods
• Release automation and orchestration
• Cloud infrastructure
• Security practices

Training provider

DevOps Engineer - Level 4 Apprenticeship -LearnTech

The learning is delivered remotely on a weekly day release basis via online workshops self-directed study and mentoring.

What Youll Be Doing Day-to-day responsibilities

As a DevOps Apprentice youll join a small supportive team working alongside the HPC Operations Team to develop and maintain systems that monitor and capture data across all key Data Centre infrastructure.

Throughout your apprenticeship youll gain a wide range of skills from technical IT expertise to practical hands-on experience with infrastructure components such as power cooling capacity planning security and health & safety.

• Developing system administration skills for Linux operating systems.
• Assist with maintaining and improving production environments using scripting languages to automate tasks and enhance system functionality.
• Collaborate with the HPC Data Centre Operations team to develop software for both HPC Data. Centre facilities this includes monitoring software and the use of data transfer protocols.
• Provide support for infrastructure systems focusing on problem management and incident.
• Conduct proactive monitoring to ensure the health performance and security of the HPC Data Centres.
• Contribute to the development of the Operations documentation.
• Creating detailed interactive floor plans and diagrams with Visio and Excel.
• Gain experience in 3D modelling and rendering using software such as Blender and Matterport.
• Web page design using HTML CSS PHP SQL.

Entry Requirements

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S&I).

We are looking for the following:

• GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) (S)(Included for all roles)
• Level 3 qualifications such as:
  • 2 A Levels (A-C)
  • BTEC Level 3
  • T-Level or
  • A previousLevel 3 Apprenticeship. (Please give subjects and results in CV)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn both in the workplace and through formal training (I)
• Good written communication skills asdemonstratedin your CV and cover letter (S)
• Some knowledge of and enthusiasm for computer hardware and/or software (S&I)
  • Your CV and/or cover letter should give example(s) of personal or school projects that involved learning about and using a computer system and what you enjoyed
  • As a minimum a successful candidate will be able to describe the basic components of a computersystemdescribe basic software development concepts and/orbe aware of the range of computer operating systems and what they are
• Desire to work in a scientific computing environment (S&I)
  • Your cover letter should explain why you have applied for this computing apprenticeship scheme and any activities you are involved in to help you develop personally and professionally
• Ability to examine evidence and data to understand it and solve problems (I)
  • As a minimum a successful candidate will be able to work systematically through straightforward problems examine data and link it to their understanding of computer systems in order find the cause of problems
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a team(S&I)
• Technical requirements (I)
  • An aptitude and desire toidentifyand automate repeated tasks for efficiency and accuracy
  • Passion in programming to develop implement and improve applications
  • Programming skill inscripting language such as Bash Python Ansible PowerShell or Perl for interacting with our services and devices

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2026 we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
• When applying for an apprenticeship there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.
• The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include as an attachment your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

We will be in touch after the closing date however please reach out on if you have any questions.

Employee Benefits

• Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship in line with policy.
• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

For a list of our full benefits please visithere.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: to apply

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

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