Lead DevOps & Automation Engineer
The advert says the job needs UK security clearance:
“Security Clearance Level: eDV.”
SC clearance usually needs five years of living in the UK, and DV clearance usually needs ten. If you have lived here that long, for example on a Student and then a Graduate visa, you may be able to get it. Most people applying from outside the UK cannot, so the highest likelihood we give this job is Unlikely. Ask Sopra Steria Limited whether they would sponsor you.
Unlikely
Sponsorship likelihood
The advert asks for security clearance
£54,900
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2133 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 42% sure that is the right code. Sopra Steria Limited is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
We pick the code from the advert's text, so it is our best guess, not the employer's. Each code it could be has its own likelihood:
- Unlikely 2133 (IT business analysts, architects and systems designers) · 42% match
- Unlikely 2139 (Information technology professionals not elsewhere classified) · 27% match
- Unlikely 2134 (Programmers and software development professionals) · 17% match
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2133 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers Most likely code | £38,400 Clears | £43,900 Clears | £49,400 Clears | £54,900 Clears |
2139 Information technology professionals not elsewhere classified Also possible | £36,600 Clears | £41,800 Clears | £47,100 Clears | £52,300 Clears |
2134 Programmers and software development professionals Also possible | £38,300 Clears | £43,700 Clears | £49,200 Clears | £54,700 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
We are looking for a Lead DevOps & Automation Engineer to take ownership of all aspects of our DevOps and Automation capabilities. You will lead a team, shape ways of working, and play a key role in driving innovation and continuous improvement. With a strong focus on automation, infrastructure as code and best practice, this role offers the opportunity to work across secure, enterprise-scale environments while supporting the growth and development of others.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading a transformative team to build, develop and embed DevOps practices and ways of working.
- Leading a team of DevOps Engineers, supporting their growth and helping build their skills and competencies.
- Designing and implementing solutions that leverage DevOps and automation capabilities across the account.
- Developing services, scripts and or configurations that support an infrastructure as code strategy.
- Provide technical support, mentoring and fault resolution during project phases.
- Support our sales teams in a pre-sales function to understand user problems and assist with the definition of technical requirements and potential opportunities.
What you’ll bring:
- Has strong troubleshooting skills across infrastructure, automation pipelines, and systems integration.
- Has proactive approach to identifying risks, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
- Can take end-to-end ownership of automation initiatives from concept to delivery.
- Production experience working with primarily Microsoft but also Linux technologies across secure and highly available enterprise scale environments.
- Strong working knowledge and hands-on experience with automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform etc.
- Competent with multiple scripting languages such as PowerShell, Bash, Python.
It would be great if you had:
- Strong working knowledge of Configuration Management and Infrastructure as Code (Iac). Including supporting tooling such as Ansible and Terraform.
If you’re interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent.
Location: London, Manchester or Gloucestershire.
Security Clearance Level: eDV.
Internal Recruiter: Rebecca.
Salary: £55,000 - £75,000.
Benefits: £5,400 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.
Although this role is advertised as full-time, we believe that flexibility at work can promote work/life balance, increase your motivation, reduce stress and improves performance and productivity. We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.
Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us?
Sopra Steria’s Aerospace, Defence and Security business designs, develops and deploys digital solutions to Central Government clients. The work we do makes a real difference to the client’s goal of National Security, and we operate in a unique and privileged environment. We are given time for professional development activities, and we coach and mentor our colleagues, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. We foster a culture in which employees feel valued and supported and have pride in their work for the customer, delivering outstanding rates of customer satisfaction in the UK’s most complex safety- and security-critical markets
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Sopra Steria Limited, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
IT business analysts, architects and systems designers (SOC 2133) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~187k in sample- Middle half £45,136–79,976
- Median £60,216
- Going rate £54,900
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £38,400–49,400
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Sopra Steria LimitedAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Sopra Steria Limited holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2133 going rate of £54,900. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.