Tools & Infrastructure Support Engineer (DevOps platform)

Job Introduction

Serco has made significant contributions at EUMETSAT in Darmstadt, supporting a diverse range of meteorological satellite missions and projects. Serco provides essential engineering, technical, and management services, playing a crucial role in the operation and maintenance of satellite ground segments. Its expertise in satellite control, data processing, and system integration has earned the company accolades, including “Excellence in Service” awards from EUMETSAT. Serco’s dedicated efforts ensure the reliable dissemination of vital weather and climate data, underscoring its commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of meteorological satellite operations.

We are seeking an experienced Tools and Infrastructure Support Engineer (DevOps Platform) to join our ICT service team at EUMETSAT. You will focus on the administration, maintenance, automation, and operational support of the DevOps platform, including GitLab, Jenkins, Nexus, Harbor, and Orcharhino. The role will also involve platform monitoring, upgrades, troubleshooting, vendor support, and integrating new tools into the existing environment.

This position requires strong Linux administration and platform engineering experience, with hands-on knowledge of GitLab, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, Python, Bash, and software repositories. You will work in a controlled operational environment, ensuring platform availability, security, and continuous improvement while supporting engineers and the wider user community.

You will work in a large-scale, 24/7 operational environment supporting distributed, mixed Windows and Linux systems. The main technologies include:

• GitLab across several self-hosted instances, including Premium and Free tiers
• Jenkins, Nexus and Harbor for builds, artifacts and container images
• Orcharhino for OS provisioning and package repositories
• Subversion for legacy projects and Device42 for system inventory
• Linux as the underlying platform, with Docker and Kubernetes
• Python, Bash and vendor APIs for automation and integration
• Direct vendor support channels for troubleshooting, upgrades and security fixes

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the day-to-day operation and lifecycle of the Linux engineering platform, keeping systems, tools and security components up to date.
• Manage platform configurations, investigate user issues and resolve technical problems across the environment.
• Work directly with technology vendors, managing support cases and coordinating vendor involvement in upgrades, security fixes and complex technical issues.
• Monitor system performance, availability and capacity, carrying out proactive maintenance and resolving issues before they affect users.
• Introduce and integrate new tools and technologies into the platform, ensuring they work consistently with the existing environment rather than becoming isolated solutions.
• Support engineers and users who rely on the platform, providing technical guidance and troubleshooting complex issues.
• Automate administration and operational tasks using Python, Bash and APIs, reducing manual work and improving consistency.

Skills and Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in Linux systems or platform engineering; 8+ years for expert-level roles.
• Strong Linux administration experience, including software installation, backups, filesystems, performance monitoring, high availability and troubleshooting in production environments.
• Hands-on experience with Docker and sufficient Kubernetes knowledge to troubleshoot containerised environments.
• Strong scripting and automation skills using Python and Bash, with experience working with APIs and automation tools.
• Administration experience with GitLab, alongside tools such as Jenkins, Nexus, Harbor and Subversion.
• Experience with automated OS provisioning and package repositories, using technologies such as Orcharhino, Red Hat Satellite or Foreman.
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, IT or a related discipline.
• Strong written and spoken English, with the ability to support both technical teams and wider users.

Nice to have:

• Experience with Device42 or another IT inventory and discovery platform.
• Experience operating GitLab and artifact/container registries in hardened or compliance-driven environments.
• Experience performing upgrades and maintenance on highly available platforms with minimal or no service interruption.

Package Description

• Relocation allowance (flight to Germany, airport transport, one month paid accommodation).
• Hybrid working model for flexibility.
• 30% discount on the Deutschland ticket for easy travel.
• Subsidised Wellpass – access to 12,500+ fitness and wellness options across Germany.
• Pension and health schemes.
• Corporate Benefits discounts
• 30 days of holiday for balance and exploration.

About Serco:

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the likes of ESA, CNES, EUMETSAT, EUSPA, ASI and NASA. We offer space capabilities across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies across Europe and the globe We work within the heart of the space sector so understand the challenges our customers face. When it comes to recruitment we are experts in sourcing the very best talent within space engineering, earth observation, satellite communications and cyber security. We have placed hundreds of people from post graduates through to C-suite executives into space agencies, satellite operators, manufacturers, system integrators, consultancies, earth observation/remote sensing, launch providers and much more.