DevOps Engineer
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This is an opportunity for a DevOps Engineer or Research Software Engineer with DevOps skills to work at the Cambridge Centre of Excellence for Astronomical Data (CamCEAD) in the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), specifically on two European Space Agency (ESA) science missions, Gaia and Plato.
The successful candidate will work within CamCEADs Gaia and Plato data processing teams. The role will focus on infrastructure provisioning, system administration, release engineering, cybersecurity and software development to execute the on-ground data processing for both Gaia and Plato.
Infrastructure is based on Linux servers: most of these are virtually deployed on OpenStack clouds hosted at Cambridge and elsewhere in the UK, while some physical servers are hosted locally at the Institute. Deployed systems include Kubernetes clusters of several thousand cores and associated support systems. The bespoke software developed for data processing has continuous integration and deployment systems locally hosted on Jenkins.
Work will include development of Ansible code for provisioning infrastructure and automation of tasks, diagnose and resolve issues with Linux systems/containers, contribute to the overall systems architecture design, development of CI/CD system and system testing to improve software development efficiency and release quality, development of infrastructure and processes required to improve cybersecurity, software development of modules and tools to support data processing and analysis. This role is primarily focussed on DevOps, although the post-holder will have the opportunity to build upon their experience and to take on a wide selection of roles as needed.
The role will also involve liaising with the wider Plato and Gaia project teams and external science users. The role will include opportunities to interact with the wider CamCEAD team. This post is for an in-person role and, while flexible working is supported, the usual location of work is the Institute of Astronomy - to enable and encourage efficient collaboration and interaction within the project teams, CamCEAD and the Institute.
The successful candidate will have a good practical knowledge of Linux system administration, software development process and tools and containerization. Some experience of collaborative software development in Python, Java or a similar language is essential. Experience with Ansible, Kubernetes, Spark would be very advantageous. The candidate should have at least a BSc (Hons) degree in a numerate discipline (preferably Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a science with a significant computing element).
The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas. Hence possession of a valid passport is necessary.
Further information on the Gaia and Plato missions and the role of staff working at CamCEAD are available within the further particulars.
Salary will be Grade 7, £35,608 - £46,049 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.
This is a fixed-term role, initially for a fixed term period to 31st March 2027 with good prospects for further extension subject to grant funding and project development.
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The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 15th March 2026.
Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by: 23rd March 2026
Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. Interviews are provisionally planned for week commencing 23rd March 2026.
For any queries regarding the application process, please contact: hr@ast.cam.ac.uk. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Francesca De Angeli, Research Professor: fda@ast.cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference LG48929 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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