Principal Engineer DWS

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals and we encourage you to join us as Great Britains energy system undergoes an ambitious exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry we are creating a cleaner more sustainable energy future.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is seeking a Principal Engineer Digital Workplace to lead the strategic design development and evolution of NESOs modern workplace platforms. This technical role is responsible for shaping enduser technology strategy across devices collaboration platforms endpoint management mobility services and digital experience tooling. The postholder will act as NESOs most senior engineering authority in the Digital Workplace domain driving innovation ensuring platform resilience and enabling a secure frictionless user experience.

The role requires thought leadership deep technical expertise and close collaboration with crossfunctional teams to deliver workplace services that enhance productivity and support NESOs operational mission. By championing engineering excellence automation and modern workplace design principles the Principal Engineer will help NESO maintain a bestinclass digital environment aligned to business needs.

This role can be based from our offices in Wokingham or Warwick and we continue to offer hybrid working arrangements that allow for a blend of office and home working.

Key Accountabilities

1. Platform Ownership & Architecture

• Support the architecture and strategic roadmap for the entire Digital Workplace ecosystem ensuring alignment with technology strategy and organisational needs.
• Provide technical direction across endpoint platforms collaboration tools identityintegrated workplace services device provisioning and engineering standards.
• Lead design reviews approve solution architectures and ensure consistency across DWS engineering practices.

2. Modern Workplace Engineering

• Govern lifecycle management of all enduser devices: laptops desktops PAWs mobile devices peripherals and print estate.
• Oversee OS engineering and evergreen processes for Windows macOS iOS and Android.
• Lead Evergreen/Autopilot/Intune configuration standards building on DWS engineering capabilities.

3. Endpoint Management & Device Provisioning

• Define engineering practices for Intune Autopilot ZeroTouch ABP device compliance identitybased access and configuration baselines.
• Lead automation of provisioning onboarding and change processes to support scalability.

4. Collaboration & Productivity Platforms

• Work closely with M365 engineering leads to integrate workplace services with collaboration platforms such as Teams SharePoint Exchange Online OneDrive and security products.

5. Virtual Desktop & Mobility Services

• Oversee architectural decisions and performance optimisation for Azure Virtual Desktop and DaaS.
• Lead strategy for mobile fleet and MDM functionality ensuring secure BYOD and COPE models.

6. Security Compliance & Risk Management

• Embed Zero Trust and securebydesign principles into workplace platforms.
• Partner with Security Operations Identity and Network teams to enforce posture DLP device trust and access controls.
• Ensure Digital Workplace technologies comply with NESO policies and industry standards.

7. CrossFunctional Leadership

• Provide consultancy to stakeholders and influence organisationwide technology decisions.
• Drive collaboration between DWS Security Network Service Management Operations and thirdparty suppliers.
• Support major incident/problem management where advanced technical expertise is required.

8. Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Identify opportunities to modernise the Digital Workplace using automation analytics AIpowered support and advanced endpoint insights.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and lead proofofconcept initiatives.

About You

Essential

• Extensive experience at senior or principal engineer level across Modern Workplace EUC or Digital Workplace platforms.
• Deep expertise with:
• Microsoft Intune / Endpoint Manager
• Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android engineering
• Autopilot / Zero Touch provisioning
• Azure Virtual Desktop
• M365 ecosystem (Teams SharePoint Exchange Online)
• Proven track record shaping technical strategy engineering standards and delivering complex workplace initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior leadership.

Desirable

• Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator
• Azure Administrator / Architect certifications
• ITIL Foundation or higher

Skills & Behaviours

• Strategic thinker with strong architectural judgement
• Excellent communication and technical leadership
• Collaborative proactive and able to drive change at pace
• Usercentric mindset with commitment to quality
• Ability to mentor and guide engineering teams

Dont meet every single requirement Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NESO we are committed to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace for everyone. So if youre excited about this role but your experience or qualifications dont match the job description exactly we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

About What Youll Get

A competitive salary of circadependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance 28 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.

About Us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change ensuring secure energy supply and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential energise our team and be part of something bigger.

Your energy our future together.

About The National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024 the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO) the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britains electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.

The ESO including all of its existing roles are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO we will build on our existing roles capabilities and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors including electricity natural gas and hydrogen and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors with complete operational independence from government the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team you wont just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain youll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

More Information

This role closes on 15/02/2026 at 23:59 however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do including how we support value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds and offer flexible and tailored support at home and in the office.

Were committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve and a working environment in which each individual feels valued respected fairly treated and able to reach their full potential.