Senior Linux Engineer

The IT & Digital department is responsible for the force’s adoption and use of information and digital technology.

The department consists of three core functions as follows:

• Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right technologies for the force)
• Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right technologies for the force)
• Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live, operational technology for the force)

The Service Management function within IT & Digital is responsible for the effective operation, support and maintenance of existing, operational technology systems, including but not limited to all Force applications, technology infrastructure (e.g. servers, databases, networks) and end-user devices (e.g. desktop PC’s, smartphones, tablets, Airwave terminals). This function manages, and has responsibility for, the security, capability, availability, and performance of all operational technology in the ‘live’ environment whether it is delivered via internal resources or by external suppliers. This function is also responsible for ensuring existing technology remains fit-for-purpose and reflects continuously evolving requirements from the force.

The Infrastructure Services team within Service Management is responsible for managing the force’s Server, Storage and Software infrastructure within the live operational environment. This infrastructure includes:

• The force Data Centres

• Hardware
  o     Server Technology
  o     Storage Technology (e.g. SAN, NAS, DAS)
  o     Backup Media (e.g. Tape, Disk, Cloud)

   

• Software
  o     Server Operating systems (Windows, Solaris, Linux)
  o     Database (SQL, MySQL, Oracle)
  o     Active Directory
  o     Corporate Backup Software (Veritas)
  o     Application Delivery Software (InTune, SCCM, App-V)
  o     Anti-virus software
  o     PKI Infrastructure

   

   

…all of which are required to deliver and support properly-engineered IT services and products essential to meeting the needs of the force.
 

The IT and Digital are seeking 2 seasoned Senior Linux Engineer to manage, scale, and secure our production Linux infrastructure. As a subject matter expert (SME), you will lead key initiatives, drive infrastructure-as-code (IaC) efforts, and mentor team members.
The post holder will report directly into the Infrastructure Services Team Manager.

The Senior Linux Engineer responsibility for, the security, capability, availability, and performance of the following key areas:

• The Force’s software infrastructure; Architect and maintain enterprise Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu) environments on premise as well as hybrid cloud (AWS/Azure).
• The Force’s application delivery platforms – providing the ability for users to securely access applications on a range of suitable devices.
• The Force's server infrastructure - including physical/virtual servers, and the underlying operating systems;
• The Force’s database infrastructure
• The Force’s storage infrastructure – including a mixture of Network Attached Storage, Storage Area Networks, and Direct Attached Storage
• The Force’s backup and recovery infrastructure – ensuring that all corporate data is securely backed up and capable of being restored in the event of hardware failures.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent knowledge to architect and maintain enterprise Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu) environments on premise as well as cloud.
• Provide technical skills and knowledge that facilitate the security, integrity, availability and performance of the Force’s infrastructure software including.
• Provide technical skills and knowledge that facilitate the relevant incident, configuration, availability, capacity, continuity and release management in line with the ITIL framework;
• Provide and disseminate specialist/technical advice on issues relating to the department, interpreting or assessing customer needs and exercising judgment to make decisions when solutions are not obvious;
• To represent the force at local, and regional meetings as required;
• Have regular contact with various people within the Force and externally, in order to achieve desirable outcomes;
• Provide technical assistance to projects which are complex and significant in terms of time and financial resources coordinate the provision of assigned services within the department to ensure they meet the required quality levels;
• Interpret statistical data and advise management of trends;
• Provide a breadth of technical skills to support the following areas:
  o     Authentication and Directory technologies (e.g. IAM, Active Directory)
  o     Application and content delivery technologies (e.g. IIS, App-V, Intune)
  o     Enterprise Desktop and Mobile device configuration
  o     Data Centre management (VMware, Aria)
  o     Server technology (Azure Arc)
  o     Storage technology (Primera)
  o     Database technology (SQL, MySQL)
  o     Backup/Recovery technology (Veritas)
• Champion good ideas to management;
• Promote and champion the Force’s diversity agenda.

Desirable Skills:

• Technical support skills across a breadth of data centre and infrastructure technology;
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently interact and empathise with all levels of staff;
• Good presentation skills;
• Flexibility to use a variety of supporting technologies and to be innovative;
• The ability to work under pressure and be capable of balancing competing demands and priorities;
• Proven track record in understanding the need of customers/users;
• Good communication skills in order to work effectively throughout the organisation and with external contractors and suppliers;
• An understanding of the ITIL processes as they apply to the team and to the department as a whole;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Ability to produce management reports, policy documents and comprehensive working papers including recommendations and implementation of documents.

Important Information 

Selection Process

The selection process for this role will consist of the following elements:

• Initial application
• Shortlisting
• Test

• In-person interview

   

Closing Date: 28th August 2026 at 23:55 hours

Test/Interview Dates:  Interviews will take place in October 2026

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Counter Terrorism scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon you successfully passing medical checks, which may include a drug and hearing test.

Hours/Location: The hours of work are 36.5hrs a week at times agreed by management.  The role is hybrid working.

Contact: For further information email [email protected]        

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.

• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.

• Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.

• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold. 

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions.  As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

"Diversity and Inclusion Vision:  Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"