Principal Platform Engineer (VMWare Cloud Foundation)

Responsibilities

• Are you ready to take on complex technical challenges at the forefront of cyber and platform engineering? At Leonardo, our Principal Platform Engineers are hands-on experts who shape the design, integration, and delivery of secure platforms that keep our customers' missions running.
• Leonardo UK is seeking a Principal Platform Engineer to join the Cyber & Security Solutions Division team. This role is focused on delivering, maintaining, and improving platform and systems engineering solutions that underpin critical defence, government and public sector services.
• What you will do as a Principal Platform Engineer
• Act as the technical authority on one of our platform engineering domains (e.g. virtualisation) providing specialist domain expertise to projects and programmes.
• Lead the design and implementation of secure platforms across on-premise environments.
• Capture, analyse, and interpret complex customer requirements to drive system design and architecture.
• Develop high- and low-level designs, ensuring alignment with secure-by-design principles.
• Take ownership of technical delivery within work packages, including planning, estimation, and progress reporting.
• Mentor, coach, and develop junior and senior engineers, raising technical capability across the community.
• Provide input to technology strategies, feasibility studies, and innovation projects.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, presenting technical solutions and justifying design decisions.

Requirements

• Extensive technical expertise across multiple platform domains, with a track record of delivering secure solutions.
• The ability to balance hands-on engineering with technical leadership and mentorship.
• A problem-solving mindset, able to innovate and recommend the best approach for complex challenges.
• Core areas (must have):
• Windows and Linux operating systems
• Virtualisation platforms (VMware, Hyper-V)
• VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) stack (vSphere, vSAN, NSX-T, Aria Suite)
• Design, build and operation of software-defined datacentre platforms
• Network virtualisation and micro-segmentation concepts (NSX, platform-integrated)
• Networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, firewalls)
• Automation and scripting (PowerShell, Bash, Python, Ansible, Terraform)
• Knowledge of cyber security controls and accreditation requirements
• Experience across the systems engineering lifecycle
• Integration of compute, storage, and network layers into a unified platform
• Delivery within secure / enterprise / defence environments
• Desirable:
• VCAP certifcation
• Expertise with cloud platforms (AWS) and Infrastructure as Code
• Experience integrating enterprise services (Active Directory, PKI, monitoring, SIEM)
• Hands-on use of DevSecOps tools and CI/CD pipelines
• VxRail and hyper-converged infrastructure
• Automation of VCF lifecycle (patching, upgrades, deployment)
• Integration with enterprise identity and security services (AD, PKI, PAM)
• Containerisation platforms (Kubernetes, Docker)
• This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.
• Security Clearance
• Location
• This role will be based at one of our UK sites - Yeovil.
• Why join us
• At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance.
• Time to Recharge: Generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online cou

Benefits

Additional Information

Job Description: Salary Range: £53,269 - £71,400 Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

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