Senior Technologist

Please note that this advert will close at 00:01 on Friday 15 August and therefore we advise getting your application in no later than midnight on Thursday 14 August.

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.

Our culture is clear – we live by our values: Empowerment; Excellence; Collaboration; Agility and Respect. These define how we work to deliver our purpose, now and in the future. The behaviours which support these values set the path for a fully inclusive and innovative culture at Ofcom.

We focus not only on what we do, but how we do it. We pride ourselves on being an organisation of people who genuinely care about helping others.

About the Team

The Online Safety Technology team conducts research to build knowledge and understanding in subject areas fundamental to online safety. The team provides technical expertise to policy, supervision and enforcement colleagues in the wider Online Safety Group, and others in Ofcom, during policy development processes and industry engagement activities.

The Online Safety Technical Lab is based in Manchester and the cloud and plays a critical role in advancing Ofcom’s knowledge of technology through experimentation, testing and evaluation. We focus on technologies such as AI, machine learning, advanced network infrastructures, digital identity and privacy-enhancing technologies. Our lab supports both internal research projects and external collaborations, providing a space for hands-on technical exploration that feeds into policy, industry standards, and technological innovation.

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking a highly proficient Systems Admin to support the Online Safety Technology Lab (OSTech Lab) at our Manchester office. The OSTech Lab provides cloud and physical compute resources for research into safety technologies, mostly computer vision and machine learning. This is a new facility and we are looking for someone who is excited to help move the Lab into it’s next phase of life.

This role would suit a skilled sysadmin engineer with experience of managing high spec compute environments. As the OSTech Lab Systems Administrator, you will be responsible for configuring, securing, and maintaining Lab systems, managing access control, and ensuring researchers have the necessary physical and cloud computing resources to support ongoing projects.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong background in systems administration, IT infrastructure, or research computing, who is passionate about building and maintaining a hybrid lab environment with a focus on security, reliability, and efficiency.

Your key responsibilities

System management and performance optimisation

• Ensure the Linux compute resources of the Lab are running optimally
• Monitor, maintain and troubleshoot Lab systems, including cloud and physical compute
• Define requirements for system upgrades and improvements

Security and compliance

• Ensure data security, backups and compliance with relevant policies
• Ensure the Lab operates in compliance with policies governing security, privacy, and responsible technology use
• Manage access control and permissions for Lab users

Resource Scheduling and utilisation

• Implement automated scheduling to maximise the efficiency of available compute resources
• Track and maintain physical and digital inventory of Lab assets

Technical support and troubleshooting

• Provide technical support for Lab users, troubleshooting access, permissions, and system issues
• Respond to incidents, assess risks, and implement mitigation's
• Organise and maintain data records and Lab documentation

Planning and infrastructure development

• Recommend and oversee hardware and system upgrades
• Ensure efficient utilisation of Azure resources, including automated cost-saving measures (e.g., auto-shutdown)
• Plan and implement improvements to support the Lab’s evolving needs

Additional considerations

The role may involve exposure to sensitive or distressing content, and appropriate support mechanisms will be in place.

The role includes project management responsibilities, coordinating research requirements and infrastructure improvements.

Budgetary responsibility may be involved in managing system upgrades and resource allocations.

The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success

Technical Knowledge, Skill and Experience

• Experience in setting up and troubleshooting technical networks and virtual machines
• Experience of provisioning high spec compute for computer vision and machine learning experimentation
• Experience of Linux, HyperVisor, Azure and containerisation tools such as Docker and Kubernetes
• Familiarity with cloud security principals
• Experience monitoring and maintaining computing systems
• Experience with cyber security standards
• Experience with encryption standards
• Experience with workflow automation
• Incident response experience
• Ability to convey technical information to both a technical and non-technical audience

Behavioural attributes

• Building solutions: Identify and solve complex issues, using evidence-based methods to gather insights and develop well-founded solutions
• Scanning Horizons: Grasp the bigger picture, foresee upcoming trends and challenges, and ensure actions and decisions are in sync with long-term objectives
• Executing Plans: Organise tasks and set clear goals, managing resources wisely, while keeping an eye on progress
• Owning accountabilities: Take responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their outcomes. Show up reliably and commit to getting the job done
• Articulating ideas: Express your ideas, thoughts, and information in a clear and concise manner, ensuring messages are understood by everyone

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity of working within an ISO 27001 environment
• Familiarity with CVE and MITRE ATT&CK® framework
• Familiarity with Service Level Agreements
• Familiarity with GDPR

Inclusivity Statement

At Ofcom we prioritise inclusive and diverse recruitment in order to truly reflect the society we represent.

Where positions are listed as full time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares and other flexible working options from day one of employment. We warmly welcome applications from candidate returning to work after a break – for whatever reason.

As a disability confident employer, we offer interviews to any disabled applicant who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about the scheme here.

If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected] or call 0330 912 1378.