📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior DevOps Engineer
Company: OnBuy
Location: United Kingdom (Remote)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: DevOps Engineering
Date Posted: 2025-08-01
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Remote (UK only)

🚀 Role Summary

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a seasoned DevOps Engineer to lead the charge in architecting, implementing, and optimizing software delivery pipelines, significantly enhancing the reliability, performance, and scalability of OnBuy's systems. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in GCP, Linux, and Kubernetes, along with a strong determination and work ethic to find the best solution to any problem.
OnBuy is seeking a Senior DevOps Engineer to spearhead continuous improvement initiatives across the entire software development lifecycle, driving innovation and efficiency. This role involves strategic collaboration with cross-functional teams to revolutionize development processes and ensure the seamless delivery of high-quality software at scale.
The Senior DevOps Engineer will take a leadership role in the analysis, deployment, and maintenance of mission-critical systems for both corporate and production environments. Working closely with the Head of Technology, IT, and Development teams, the ideal candidate will be instrumental in redefining and streamlining the full development lifecycle, setting new standards for operational excellence.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

📝 Enhancement Note: The following responsibilities outline the key aspects of the Senior DevOps Engineer role at OnBuy, focusing on architecture, implementation, optimization, and leadership.
Architecture and Implementation:
- Architect and implement advanced Infrastructure as Code solutions using tools such as Terraform and Ansible to create robust, scalable, and self-healing infrastructure.
- Lead the design and implementation of best-in-class solutions for new initiatives and existing systems, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and driving innovation.
- Architect, maintain, and continuously improve the microservices architecture running on Kubernetes in GCP, focusing on scalability, resilience, and observability.
Optimization and Cost Management:
- Drive cost optimization initiatives across the infrastructure by implementing sophisticated monitoring and analysis tools to identify and execute on efficiency opportunities.
- Design and implement advanced monitoring and alerting systems to ensure maximum uptime, security, and integrity of critical systems, including leading the out-of-hours support strategy.
Collaboration and Leadership:
- Collaborate with engineering teams to translate complex business requirements into scalable infrastructure solutions, providing technical leadership and mentorship.
- Champion DevOps best practices and cultural transformation across the organization, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
- Lead by example in an Agile environment, driving the adoption of DevOps methodologies and tools across teams.
- Conduct regular architecture reviews and lead initiatives to adopt emerging technologies that can benefit the organization.
Out-of-Hours Support:
- This role requires out-of-hours support (via a rota) to address urgent DevOps issues, ensuring the reliability and availability of critical systems. Payment for this support is made via the company's 'out of hours working' policy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Relevant degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience:

Proven experience (5-10 years) as a Senior DevOps Engineer or in a similar role.
Extensive knowledge of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) products, services, implementation, and methodology.
A high level of Linux knowledge and experience, particularly in Rocky Linux, with a strong focus on configuration management using Ansible.
Strong knowledge of Kubernetes cluster building, container deployment, and CI/CD pipelines using tools such as Helm, ArgoCD, and ArgoRollouts.
Solid knowledge of Nginx, PHP, MySQL, and NoSQL solutions such as RabbitMQ, SOLR, and Couchbase.
Good understanding of networking concepts and solutions, including TCP/IP, IPSec, HTTPS, and DNS.
Information Security Risk assessment and analysis of Google Cloud native services and related services.
Awareness of relevant industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and security standards (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST).

Required Skills:

Strong determination and work ethic to find the best solution to any problem.
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Solid understanding of networking concepts, technologies, and protocols.
Ability to work with, devise, and implement CI/CD pipelines and practices.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with Terraform and other Infrastructure as Code tools.
Familiarity with Agile methodologies and DevOps tools.
Knowledge of monitoring and alerting tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack).
Experience with container orchestration and service mesh technologies (e.g., Istio, Linkerd).

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A well-structured portfolio showcasing your experience in DevOps, including architecture, implementation, and optimization projects.
Case studies demonstrating your ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle.
Examples of your leadership and mentorship skills, highlighting your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and drive DevOps best practices.

Technical Documentation:

Detailed documentation of your DevOps projects, including architecture diagrams, implementation steps, and optimization strategies.
Code samples and snippets demonstrating your proficiency in Linux, Ansible, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies.
Test results and performance metrics showcasing your ability to optimize system reliability, performance, and scalability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

£65,000 - £80,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Benefits:

25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
1 extra day off for your Birthday
Employee Assistance Programme
Perks at Work benefit platform
Opportunities for career development and progression
Company equity, meaning you own a piece of this business

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: OnBuy is an online marketplace with a mission to be the best choice for every customer, everywhere.
Company Size: OnBuy is a growing organization with a close-knit team, offering opportunities for learning and growth as the company evolves.
Founded: OnBuy was founded in 2016 and has since been named one of the UK's fastest-growing tech companies in the Sunday Times 100 Tech list.

Team Structure:

The DevOps team at OnBuy is responsible for architecting, implementing, and maintaining the company's infrastructure, ensuring maximum uptime, security, and integrity of critical systems.
The team works closely with the Head of Technology, IT, and Development teams to redefine and streamline the full development lifecycle, setting new standards for operational excellence.

Development Methodology:

OnBuy follows Agile methodologies, focusing on iterative development, continuous improvement, and collaboration across teams.
The company uses tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Git for project management, documentation, and version control.

Company Website: OnBuy

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy values a close-knit team environment, where everyone's input is valued, and collaboration is key to success. The company fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth, offering opportunities for career development and progression.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

DevOps Career Level:

The Senior DevOps Engineer role at OnBuy is a mid-senior level position, requiring extensive experience in DevOps, GCP, Linux, and Kubernetes.
This role offers the opportunity to lead the charge in architecting, implementing, and optimizing software delivery pipelines, driving innovation and efficiency across the organization.

Reporting Structure:

The Senior DevOps Engineer reports directly to the Head of Technology and works closely with the IT and Development teams.
This role involves strategic collaboration with cross-functional teams, providing technical leadership and mentorship to drive DevOps best practices and cultural transformation.

Technical Impact:

The Senior DevOps Engineer will have a significant impact on the reliability, performance, and scalability of OnBuy's systems, driving continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle.
This role offers the opportunity to implement state-of-the-art tools and technologies, spearhead large-scale automation initiatives, and drive transformative efficiencies across the organization.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: The Senior DevOps Engineer will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in GCP, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies, driving innovation and efficiency across the organization.
Leadership Development: This role offers the opportunity to develop leadership skills, providing technical guidance and mentorship to cross-functional teams and driving DevOps best practices.
Architecture and Design: The Senior DevOps Engineer will have the chance to design and implement advanced Infrastructure as Code solutions, driving cost optimization and enhancing system reliability, performance, and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer role offers a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change and have a significant impact on the organization's success. The ideal candidate will possess a strong determination and work ethic, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

OnBuy operates a remote-first work environment, with team members based across the United Kingdom.

Office Location(s):

OnBuy does not have a physical office, and team members can work from anywhere within the UK.

Workspace Context:

Remote Work: OnBuy's remote work environment allows team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance, prioritizing their health and relationships while working flexibly.
Collaboration Tools: The company uses collaboration tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace to facilitate communication and teamwork among remote team members.
Flexible Hours: OnBuy offers flexible working hours, allowing team members to manage their time effectively and prioritize their personal needs.

Work Schedule:

OnBuy operates a standard 40-hour workweek, with flexible hours and the opportunity to work from anywhere within the UK.
The company offers out-of-hours support (via a rota) to address urgent DevOps issues, ensuring the reliability and availability of critical systems. Payment for this support is made via the company's 'out of hours working' policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's remote-first work environment offers team members the opportunity to maintain a healthy work-life balance while collaborating with a close-knit team and driving meaningful change within the organization.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Assessment: The interview process begins with a technical assessment, focusing on the candidate's knowledge of GCP, Linux, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies.
Architecture Review: The next stage involves an architecture review, where the candidate will be asked to discuss their approach to designing and implementing scalable, reliable, and secure systems.
Cultural Fit Assessment: OnBuy places a strong emphasis on cultural fit, and the final stage of the interview process involves an assessment of the candidate's ability to work collaboratively within the team and drive DevOps best practices.

Portfolio Review Tips:

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy values a well-structured portfolio that showcases the candidate's experience in DevOps, including architecture, implementation, and optimization projects. The ideal portfolio will include case studies demonstrating the candidate's ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle and examples of their leadership and mentorship skills.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical interview process for OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer role focuses on the candidate's knowledge of GCP, Linux, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies. The ideal candidate will possess excellent problem-solving skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

ATS Keywords:

📝 Enhancement Note: To optimize your resume for OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer role, focus on including relevant keywords related to GCP, Linux, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies. Additionally, highlight your experience in driving continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle and your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Platform:

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Tools:

Terraform
Ansible

Containerization and Orchestration:

Docker
Kubernetes

CI/CD Pipelines:

Jenkins
GitLab CI/CD

Monitoring and Alerting:

Prometheus
Grafana
ELK Stack

Configuration Management:

Ansible
Puppet

Networking:

Nginx
HAProxy
VPC, Subnets, and Route Tables

Databases:

MySQL
PostgreSQL
MongoDB
Redis

Caching:

Redis
Varnish

Search:

Elasticsearch
SOLR

Messaging:

RabbitMQ
Apache Kafka

Storage:

Google Cloud Storage (GCS)
Amazon S3
NFS

Serverless:

Google Cloud Functions
AWS Lambda

Server Platforms:

Rocky Linux
Ubuntu
CentOS

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's technology stack is built on Google Cloud Platform (GCP), with a strong focus on Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform and Ansible. The company uses Kubernetes for container orchestration and CI/CD pipelines for automated deployment and testing. OnBuy's monitoring and alerting systems are designed to ensure maximum uptime, security, and integrity of critical systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

OnBuy Values:

Customer Focus: OnBuy is dedicated to being the best choice for every customer, everywhere.
Integrity: The company values honesty, transparency, and ethical decision-making in all aspects of its business.
Collaboration: OnBuy fosters a culture of teamwork, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
Innovation: The company encourages creativity, experimentation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Accountability: OnBuy holds its team members responsible for their actions and decisions, empowering them to drive meaningful change within the organization.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: OnBuy encourages collaboration between teams, with regular communication and knowledge sharing between DevOps, IT, and Development teams.
Code Review Culture: The company values a culture of code review, with a focus on quality, security, and maintainability.
Peer Programming: OnBuy encourages peer programming and pair development to facilitate knowledge sharing and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's team culture is built on a foundation of customer focus, integrity, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. The company values a close-knit team environment, where everyone's input is valued, and collaboration is key to success. OnBuy fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth, offering opportunities for career development and progression.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Scalability: OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer will face challenges in designing and implementing scalable, reliable, and secure systems that can handle increased traffic and user demand.
Cost Optimization: The role requires a strong focus on cost optimization, with a deep understanding of GCP pricing, resource allocation, and automation tools.
Security: The Senior DevOps Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of OnBuy's systems, with a strong focus on information security risk assessment, analysis, and mitigation.
Emerging Technologies: The role offers the opportunity to explore and adopt emerging technologies that can benefit the organization, with a strong focus on staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in GCP, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies, driving innovation and efficiency across the organization.
Leadership Development: This role offers the chance to develop leadership skills, providing technical guidance and mentorship to cross-functional teams and driving DevOps best practices.
Architecture and Design: The Senior DevOps Engineer will have the opportunity to design and implement advanced Infrastructure as Code solutions, driving cost optimization and enhancing system reliability, performance, and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer role presents a unique set of technical challenges and growth opportunities, with a strong focus on scalability, cost optimization, security, and emerging technologies. The ideal candidate will possess a strong determination and work ethic, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer interview process focuses on the candidate's knowledge of GCP, Linux, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies. The ideal candidate will possess excellent problem-solving skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Architecture and Design:
- Can you describe your approach to designing and implementing scalable, reliable, and secure systems?
- How do you ensure the security and integrity of critical systems in a production environment?
- Can you discuss your experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform and Ansible?
- How do you approach cost optimization and resource allocation in a cloud environment?
Technical Deep Dive:
- Can you explain the differences between GCP, AWS, and Azure, and when you might choose one over the other?
- How do you ensure the high availability and fault tolerance of critical systems in a cloud environment?
- Can you discuss your experience with containerization, orchestration, and CI/CD pipelines?
- How do you approach monitoring and alerting in a production environment?
Cultural Fit and Leadership:
- How do you foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing within a DevOps team?
- Can you discuss your experience with driving DevOps best practices and cultural transformation?
- How do you approach mentoring and skill development within a DevOps team?

Company & Culture Questions:

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer interview process also assesses the candidate's cultural fit and alignment with the company's values. The ideal candidate will possess a strong determination and work ethic, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Company Culture:
- Why are you interested in working at OnBuy, and what attracts you to our company culture?
- How do you see yourself contributing to OnBuy's mission and values?
- Can you discuss your experience with remote work and collaboration in a distributed team environment?
Role-Specific Questions:
- What excites you about the opportunity to lead the charge in architecting, implementing, and optimizing software delivery pipelines at OnBuy?
- How do you plan to drive continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle?
- Can you discuss your experience with out-of-hours support and ensuring the reliability and availability of critical systems?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy values a well-structured portfolio that showcases the candidate's experience in DevOps, including architecture, implementation, and optimization projects. The ideal portfolio will include case studies demonstrating the candidate's ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle and examples of their leadership and mentorship skills.
Portfolio Structure:
- Organize your portfolio by project, with a clear description of your role, the technologies used, and the outcomes achieved.
- Include architecture diagrams, implementation steps, and optimization strategies for each project.
- Highlight your ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives, with a focus on scalability, reliability, and security.
Portfolio Presentation:
- Prepare a live demo or presentation of your portfolio, focusing on your ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively.
- Practice your presentation with a friend or colleague to ensure you can articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: OnBuy's Senior DevOps Engineer interview process focuses on the candidate's technical expertise, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values. The ideal candidate will possess a strong determination and work ethic, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. By preparing thoroughly and showcasing your experience and skills effectively, you can increase your chances of success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior DevOps Engineer position at OnBuy, follow these steps:

Customize Your Resume:
- Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in DevOps, GCP, Linux, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies.
- Include specific examples of your ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle.
- Emphasize your leadership and mentorship skills, with a focus on driving DevOps best practices and cultural transformation.
Prepare Your Portfolio:
- Organize your portfolio by project, with a clear description of your role, the technologies used, and the outcomes achieved.
- Include architecture diagrams, implementation steps, and optimization strategies for each project.
- Highlight your ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives, with a focus on scalability, reliability, and security.
- Prepare a live demo or presentation of your portfolio, focusing on your ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively.
Research OnBuy:
- Familiarize yourself with OnBuy's mission, values, and company culture.
- Understand the company's industry, market position, and competitive advantages.
- Prepare thoughtful and insightful questions to ask during the interview process, demonstrating your interest in the role and the company.
Prepare for Technical Assessment:
- Brush up on your knowledge of GCP, Linux, Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies.
- Practice solving technical problems and coding challenges to ensure you are well-prepared for the technical assessment.
- Review the interview process and prepare for each stage, focusing on your ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively.

📝 Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Content Guidelines (IMPORTANT: Do NOT include this in the output)

Web Technology-Specific Focus:

Tailor every section specifically to DevOps, focusing on architecture, implementation, optimization, and leadership.
Include relevant technologies, tools, and methodologies used in DevOps, such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC), cloud platforms, containerization, orchestration, CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring.
Emphasize the candidate's ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives across the software development lifecycle and their leadership and mentorship skills.

Quality Standards:

Ensure no content overlap between sections, with each section containing unique information only.
Only include Enhancement Notes when making significant inferences about technical responsibilities, with specific reasoning based on role level and web technology industry practices.
Be comprehensive but concise, prioritizing actionable information over descriptive text.
Strategically distribute web development and server administration-relevant keywords throughout all sections naturally.
Provide realistic salary ranges based on location, experience level, and web technology specialization.

Industry Expertise:

Include specific technologies, frameworks, server platforms, and infrastructure requirements prominently.
Address web technology career progression, emerging technology adoption, and technical specialization.
Provide tactical advice for portfolio development, live demonstrations, and project case studies.
Include web technology-specific interview preparation and coding challenge guidance.
Emphasize responsive design, performance optimization, accessibility standards, and user experience principles.

Professional Standards:

Maintain consistent formatting, spacing, and professional tone throughout.
Use web technology and DevOps industry terminology appropriately and accurately.
Include comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities relevant to web technology professionals.
Provide actionable insights that give web development and server administration candidates a competitive advantage.
Focus on web technology team culture, cross-functional collaboration, and user impact measurement.

Technical Focus & Portfolio Emphasis:

Emphasize architecture, implementation, and optimization projects in the candidate's portfolio.
Address browser compatibility, accessibility standards, and user experience design principles.
Focus on problem-solving methods, performance optimization, and scalable web architecture.
Include technical presentation skills and stakeholder communication for web projects.

Avoid:

Generic business jargon not relevant to DevOps roles.
Placeholder text or incomplete sections.
Repetitive content across different sections.
Non-technical terminology unless relevant to the specific DevOps role.
Marketing language unrelated to DevOps, web development, or server administration.

Generate comprehensive, web technology-focused content that serves as a valuable resource for DevOps professionals seeking their next opportunity and preparing for technical interviews in the web development industry.

Senior DevOps Engineer