Lead Infrastructure Engineer - Wintel Server (£57,515 to £82,430)

<h4>Job summary</h4><p>Are you an experienced Infrastructure Engineer with in-depth experience and knowledge of Windows server and VMware?</p><p>Do you have the appetite and commitment required to help drive an experienced team of infrastructure engineers and the supplier base?</p><p>If so, we’d love to hear from you!</p><p>Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:</p><ul><li>Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions <a href="" target="_blank">here</a></li><li>25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.</li><li>Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.</li></ul><p>Read more in the Benefits section below!</p><p>Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA - <a href="" target="_blank">Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Department for Transport Careers</a></p><h4>Job description</h4><p>As a Lead Infrastructure Engineer, you will be responsible for delivering and managing high-quality infrastructure services across the full product lifecycle. You will provide expert guidance in the design and development of architectural solutions, ensuring they meet the evolving business and technical requirements.</p><p>The Infrastructure Engineering function is made up of a range of technical specialisms. In this role, you will operate within a defined specialism (Wintel Server), applying deep technical expertise and domain knowledge to deliver effective, scalable solutions.</p><p>You will lead the delivery of infrastructure-focused services to the organisation, its partners, and end users, ensuring they are delivered within agreed service levels. This includes accountability for financial performance, resource planning, supplier management, and aligning services with user needs.</p><p>In addition, you will play a key role in shaping the direction of the function through both technical and people leadership and management. You will support the successful implementation of change initiatives, embedding improved processes, efficient ways of working, and robust operational support models that reflect the evolving service landscape.</p><p><strong>Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:</strong></p><ol><li>Oversee programmes and projects (technical delivery thereof).</li><li>Work with technical architects to translate the architectural designs into operations and support technical architects in operationalising the designs.</li><li>Lead and direct infrastructure specialist teams in building, managing, supporting and maintaining solutions according to departmental policy (if taking a managerial path).</li></ol><p>Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public. </p><p>For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.</p><h4>Person specification</h4><p>You will already be an experienced, senior infrastructure specialist with comprehensive knowledge of Windows Server (along with relevant ancillary products, including clustering) and you will also have an equal level of experience in supporting, maintaining, administering and building VMware ESXi infrastructure.</p><p>You will bring an experienced, enthusiastic and proactive attitude with a willingness to share and learn new technologies.</p><p>You will have strong internal and external stakeholder engagement experience and the ability to influence across all grades within the organisation.</p><p>You will be committed, innovative and driven, leading from the front by contributing to the development and continual enhancement of services.</p><p>You will be a motivated self-starter with the drive to work autonomously.</p><p>You will have strong leadership skills and can motivate and coach others to perform and exceed.</p><p>You will be proactive in maintaining and monitoring systems to ensure remedial steps are taken before issues arise but also comfortable and confident when reacting to issues if they do occur as well as being self-assured in acting as an escalation point for more junior engineers. </p><p><strong></strong><strong>Additional Information </strong></p><p>This role is part of the <a href="" target="_blank">Government Digital and Data profession</a> and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.</p><p>The base pay is £57,515. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £24,915.</p><p>The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. <a href="" target="_blank">Here are more details on the pay framework.</a></p><p>At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 53 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day. </p><p>To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our <a href="" target="_blank">DVLA Digital Services Blog</a> and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our <a href="" target="_blank">Inside DVLA blog</a>. </p><p><strong>Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements</strong></p><p>Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.</p><p>This role <strong>is suitable</strong> for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.</p><p>There is expectation is for all DVLA staff to attend their primary workplace for a minimum of <strong>60%</strong> of their contracted hours – please note the team attend site on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week to comply with this requirement and maximise collaborative opportunities.</p><p>There is also an opportunity to be available on a rota basis to cover/undertake out of hours activities and provide on call cover to support delivery of the service (17:00 – 07:00 Monday to Friday, 24/7 on weekends and on public holidays) for which an extra allowance of up to £4,000 will be paid.</p><p>If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).</p><p><strong>Sponsorship</strong></p><p>Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.</p><p><strong>Security Checking</strong></p><p>Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is <a href="" target="_blank">security check</a>. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement - if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.</p><h4>Behaviours</h4><p>We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:</p><ul><li>Leadership</li><li>Developing Self and Others</li></ul><h4>Technical skills</h4><p>We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:</p><ul><li>IT Infrastructure (Expert)</li><li>Technical Understanding (Expert)</li><li>Ownership & Initiative (Practitioner)</li><li>Systems Design (Practitioner)</li></ul><h4>Benefits</h4>Alongside your salary of £57,515, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. <a href="" target="_blank"> Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).</a><p>Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above <a href="" target="_blank">here</a> alongside a full list of our benefits: </p><ul><li><ul><li>Best in class learning and development tailored to your role </li><li>An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance </li><li>A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues </li><li>Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions <a href="" target="_blank">here</a></li><li>Digital communities with clear career frameworks </li><li>On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies) </li><li>On-site nursery, restaurant and coffee bar </li><li>25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).</li><li>8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday. </li><li>Free parking </li></ul></li></ul><h4>Things you need to know</h4><h4>Artificial intelligence</h4>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 <a href="" target="_blank">candidate guidance (opens in a new window)</a> for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.<h4>Selection process details</h4>This vacancy is using <a href="" target="_blank">Success Profiles (opens in a new window)</a>, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.<p><strong>How to apply:</strong></p><p>Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation. </p><p>The selection process for this role will be:</p><p><strong>Stage 1</strong>: Sift of CV & Personal Statement</p><p><strong>Stage 2: </strong>Interview</p><p>You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.</p><p><strong>Stage 1: Sift of CV & Personal Statement </strong></p><p>At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:</p><p>Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following essential criteria:</p><ul><li>Ability to demonstrate that you have thorough and comprehensive experience in supporting, maintaining, administering and building Windows Server </li><li>Demonstrate the same level of experience in supporting, maintaining, administering and building VMware ESXi infrastructure.</li><li>Experience leading a team through a complex or challenging situation </li></ul><p><strong>This sift will take place on 10/08/26.</strong></p><p><strong>Stage 2: Interview</strong></p><p>At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:</p><p><strong>Behaviours </strong>– Leadership & Developing Self & Others</p><p><strong>Technical </strong>– <a href="" target="_blank">IT Infrastructure (Expert),</a><a href="" target="_blank">Technical Understanding (Expert),</a><a href="" target="_blank">Ownership & Initiative (Practitioner)</a> & <a href="" target="_blank">Systems Design (Practitioner)</a></p><p><strong>The interviews will take place week commencing 24/08/26.</strong></p><p>Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements). If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit. </p><p>This interview will be conducted in person at our DVLA office (Longview Road, Morriston, Swansea, SA67JL. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.</p><p>You can find out more about <a href="" target="_blank">our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window)</a>.</p><p>Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.</p><p>We will also hold a12 month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists <a href="" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><strong>Reasonable Adjustments</strong></p><p>As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.</p><p>Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.</p><p>If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via <a href="mailto:dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk" target="_blank">dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk</a> as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.</p><p><strong>Document Accessibility</strong></p><p>This job advert contains links to the <a href="" target="_blank">DfT Careers website</a>. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert or the information on our website, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. </p><p><strong>Further Information</strong></p><p>For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the<a href="" target="_blank"></a><a href="" target="_blank">How We Hire</a> page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.</p><p>If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.</p><p>For further information on National Security Vetting please <a href="" target="_blank">visit the Demystifying Vetting website</a>.</p><p><strong>Pre-employment Checking </strong></p><p>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 applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. </p><p>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.</p><p>All External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:</p><p>Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour</p><p>Threats or acts of violence</p><p>Illegal activity or substance misuse</p><p>Sexually explicit material</p><p>Extremist views or affiliations</p><p>Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public.</p><p>Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle—it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture.</p><p>If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.</p><p><strong>Feedback</strong></p><br><br>Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.<h4>Security</h4>Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is <a href="" target="_blank">security check (opens in a new window)</a>.<br><br><a href="" target="_blank">See our vetting charter (opens in a new window)</a>.People working with government assets must complete <a href="" target="_blank">baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window)</a> checks.<h4>Nationality requirements</h4><p>This job is broadly open to the following groups:</p><ul><li>UK nationals</li><li>nationals of the Republic of Ireland</li><li>nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK</li><li>nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the <a href="" target="_blank">European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)</a></li><li>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)</li><li>individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020</li><li>Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service</li></ul><a href="" target="_blank">Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)</a><h4>Working for the Civil Service</h4>The <a href="" target="_blank">Civil Service Code (opens in a new window)</a> sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.<br><br>We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's <a href="" target="_blank">recruitment principles (opens in a new window)</a>.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.<h4>Diversity and Inclusion</h4>The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the<a href="" target="_blank">Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window)</a> and the <a href="" target="_blank">Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window)</a>.<h4>Apply and further information</h4>This vacancy is part of the <a href="" target="_blank">Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window)</a> initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. <a href="" target="_blank">Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window)</a>.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.<h4>Contact point for applicants</h4><h4>Job contact : </h4><ul><li>Name : Jemma Avo</li><li>Email : <a href="mailto:ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk" target="_blank">ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk</a></li></ul><h4>Recruitment team</h4><ul><li>Email : <a href="mailto:dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk" target="_blank">dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk</a></li></ul><h4>Further information</h4>If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: <a href="mailto:dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk" target="_blank">dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk</a> <br>If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website <a href="" target="_blank">Here</a><br><br><h4>Attachments</h4><a href="" target="_blank">DVLA Digital Job Brochure - V1 2025 Opens in new window</a> (pdf, 2074kB)<a href="" target="_blank">Role Profile Opens in new window</a> (pdf, 235kB)

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Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

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Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

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This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...