Cloud Platform Engineer

We're looking for an experienced Senior Cloud Platform Engineer to take a leading role in how we engineer, modernise and continuously improve our cloud platforms at Thatcham Research. This is a senior, hands-on technical role where you'll combine deep Microsoft Azure expertise with technical leadership. You'll help turn our cloud architecture and strategy into practical solutions, lead complex implementations and create more automated, resilient, secure and scalable ways of working. What you'll be doing: Working closely with our Cloud Hosting Architect and teams across IT, Cyber Security, Data, Business Systems and Product, you'll be at the heart of our cloud engineering capability. You'll:

• Lead the technical activity and priorities of our Cloud Platform Engineering function, providing guidance and technical oversight to other engineers.
• Take the lead on complex Azure implementations, from technical planning through deployment, testing and transition into operational support.
• Identify opportunities to modernise our existing Azure environment, tackling technical debt and improving resilience, security, performance and cost efficiency.
• Drive our use of Infrastructure as Code, automated deployment and CI/CD, using technologies such as Terraform, Bicep, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, PowerShell and Python.
• Work across Azure infrastructure, networking, identity, security, governance and hybrid services.
• Establish engineering standards, reusable deployment patterns, technical documentation and code review practices.
• Share your expertise through mentoring, knowledge sharing and practical technical guidance.
• Work with Microsoft, AWS and other technology partners to support cloud delivery and continuous improvement., For the right cloud engineer, this is an opportunity to have genuine technical influence. You won't just be responding to tickets or maintaining what already exists. You'll be helping to determine how our cloud engineering is delivered, improving automation and deployment practices, solving complex technical challenges and building capability across the team. The role has no direct line-management responsibility, so your leadership comes through technical expertise, direction and influence while remaining very much hands-on.
If you enjoy getting under the bonnet of Azure, challenging existing approaches and turning good architecture into secure, repeatable and well-engineered cloud solutions, we'd love to hear from you.,
• Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application
• An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner
• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams
• Second/Final interview, in-person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)
• Personalised feedback following your interview - because everyone deserves that!
• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above
Check out our post on using AI during your application and interview! We're committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.

You'll already be an accomplished cloud engineer with substantial hands-on experience in complex production Azure environments. We're particularly interested in your experience of:
• Microsoft Azure, including compute, storage, networking, identity, security and monitoring.
• Azure landing zones, subscriptions, Azure Policy, RBAC, private endpoints, firewalls and hybrid connectivity.
• Terraform and/or Bicep and building repeatable infrastructure through Infrastructure as Code.
• CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure automation.
• Leading complex technical implementations and coordinating cloud engineering activity.
• Modernising existing Azure environments and improving reliability, resilience, security and cost efficiency.
• Providing technical leadership, mentoring other engineers and establishing good engineering practices.
Experience with AWS and hybrid cloud environments would be a great addition, but these are desirable rather than essential. You'll also hold Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) and at least one advanced Microsoft Azure certification.

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry. Our Gamston facility is one of the UK's leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies. Our Values As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process. Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change. Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging., About Thatcham Research With over five decades of experience in industry leading research and analysis, Thatcham Research is the UK's only not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation. Focused on safety, security and sustainable repair, Thatcham Research is a key player in the global automotive industry. Founded in 1969 Co-workers 280

Circa £65,000 + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid Senior Cloud Platform Engineer | Circa £65,000 + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid, Salary - Circa £65,000 negotiable dependent on skills & experience.
• 10% non-contributory pension
• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays
• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)
• Group Income Protection (after 6 months' service)
• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)
• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure
• Moneyhealth's Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
• Benenden Health Care (opt-in benefit)
• Reward & Recognition Programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Sports & Social club
• Payroll charitable giving
• Subsidised on-site restaurant
• Free on-site parking
When we work Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45 (Talk to us about flexible working if this doesn't quite suit you - we take work-life balance seriously!), Circa £65,000 + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid