Details
Reference number
480662
Salary
£33,706 - £38,334
New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the salary band minimum of £33,706
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
MHRA - Digital and Technology Group
Type of role
Digital
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
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Location
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About the job
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Benefits
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Things you need to know
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Apply and further information
Location
Leeds
About the job
Job summary
We are currently looking for a DevOps Engineer to join our Technology and Service Operations Function within the Digital and Technology group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
Job description
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The Digital and Technology Group (DTG) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general public. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU. The work we do matters!
Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to transform the Agencys legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions, designed around our customers needs. DTG works in a holistic way to combine digital and technology change, data and information management, project delivery, business process, product management and cultural change to maximise out impact and ensure sustainability.
We plan to be at the heart of one of the most digitally advanced medical regulators in the world and we need people who can help us deliver that ambition. DTG is a great place to build your career, and we are committed to enabling our people to do the best work of their lives.
The Technology & Service Operations (TSO) function is responsible for managing the existing IT infrastructure including both software and hardware, databases, and other technology platforms; leading the support and maintenance of applications; development and testing of new applications and platforms; and cyber and information security for the Agency.
The Engineering team, made up of software developers, DevOps engineers, Quality Assurance testers, and data professionals (including engineers, scientists, and visualization experts), is tasked with the creation of applications and services, ensuring quality for both new and existing agency offerings, and developing data visualizations through their expertise in data engineering and science.
Whats the role?
The post holder will contribute to the design, implementation, and maintenance of cloud infrastructure, as well as the build and deployment of application workloads.
The role will focus on leveraging Azure, GitHub Actions, and Terraform (alongside other tools in the MHRA DevOps platform) to create and optimise CI/CD pipelines for both application and infrastructure deployment, while ensuring security and quality.
The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including MHRA Engineering and third-party suppliers, to deliver software systems at speed and enhance performance by optimising Azure service setups.
Key responsibilities:
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Contribute to the ongoing development/maintenance of the DevOps platform and its services
- Create and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions to streamline development workflows, testing, and deployment processes
- Develop and maintain infrastructure-as-code (IaC) using Terraform to manage cloud resources effectively and efficiently, while considering how Secure-by-Design principles are followed
- Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues to ensure reliability and minimise downtime
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will:
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Experience: You will have experience in creating and working with CI/CD pipelines for building, testing and deploying application workloads in the cloud.
- Experience: You will have experience in automating and optimising processes
- Behaviour: Working together
- Behaviour: Developing Self and Others
- Technical: You will have experience in the technical areas of CI/CD, Cloud Technologies, Networking knowledge, System architecture, Observability and at least one scripting/programming language
Person specification
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
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Delivering at Pace (I)
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Developing Self and Others (A)
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Working Together (A)
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Changing and Improving (I)
Experience Criteria:
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Experience creating and working with CI/CD pipelines for building, testing and deploying application workloads in the cloud (I)
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Involvement in the architecture of software systems using cloud native technologies (I)
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Experience automating and optimising processes (A)
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Experience monitoring (and/or involvement in the setup of monitoring) the availability and performance of cloud workloads (A)
Technical Criteria:
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CI/CD (Hands-on experience designing, building and operating CI/CD pipelines) (A, I)
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Cloud technologies (hands-on experience operating systems on a major public cloud provider) (A, I)
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Networking knowledge (A, I)
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System architecture (A, I)
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Observability (Monitoring/Logging) Monitoring tools such as Azure Monitor, Application Insights, Grafana (A, I)
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At least one scripting or programming language, e.g. (Bash, PowerShell, JavaScript, Python, etc.) (A, I)
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Desirable: Infrastructure as Code (A, I)
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Desirable: Familiarity with testing tools/frameworks such as Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, JMeter, Jest (A, I)
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Desirable: Containerised applications (A, I)
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Developing Self and Others
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
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Developing Self and Others
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- CI/CD (Hands-on experience designing, building and operating CI/CD pipelines)
- Cloud technologies (hands-on experience operating systems on a major public cloud provider)
- Networking knowledge
- System architecture
- Observability (Monitoring/Logging) Monitoring tools such as Azure Monitor, Application Insights, Grafana
- At least one scripting or programming language, e.g. (Bash, PowerShell, JavaScript, Python, etc.)
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £33,706, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £9,764 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .
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Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
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Privilege Leave: 1 day
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Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
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Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of six months full pay and six months half pay after five years service.
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Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
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Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
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Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
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Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
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Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
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Eligibility to join Motoring , Boundless by CSMA
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Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
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On-going learning and development
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.
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Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
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Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of CI/CD (Hands-on experience designing, building and operating CI/CD pipelines) and Cloud technologies (hands-on experience operating systems on a major public cloud provider).
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Closing date: 21st September 2026
Shortlisting date: from 26th September 2026
Interview date: from 6th October 2026
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [email protected]
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:
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Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
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Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
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Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
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Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.
Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.
Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.
The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : The Resourcing Team
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Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
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Email : [email protected]
Further information
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the Resourcing team at [email protected], in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk - [email protected] - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ