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Job of the Week: How to Land a £40,000 – £50,000 Systems/Infrastructure Engineer Job with SC Sponsorship

Every week, we deconstruct one incredible job opportunity to show you how to strategically win it. This week, we’re looking at a role that offers not just a great salary and fascinating work, but a rare and highly valuable career asset: sponsorship for UK Security Check (SC) clearance.

This Systems/Infrastructure Engineer role, advertised by Outsource UK, is based in Redhill —the heart of the UK’s intelligence and cybersecurity community. With a salary of up to £65,000 and the promise of a long-term contract within the defence sector, this is a career-defining opportunity.

But what exactly is SC sponsorship, and what does it take to get hired for a role like this? Let’s dive in.

1. The Ultimate Perk: What is “SC Sponsorship”?

This is the most important part of the job advert. Security Check (SC) clearance is a prerequisite for any role that involves access to secret government assets or information. It’s a detailed and lengthy background check conducted by the UK government.

• The “Chicken-and-Egg” Problem: Normally, you can’t get an SC-cleared job without already having SC clearance. But you can’t get clearance without having a job that requires it.
• The “Sponsorship” Solution: This is where sponsorship comes in. It means the company is willing to hire you first and then sponsor you through the entire clearance process. They are investing significant time and money in you before you can even start working on sensitive projects.

What this means for you: This is an incredible opportunity to enter the highly sought-after and lucrative UK defence and intelligence tech sector. Holding SC clearance makes you an extremely valuable and in-demand candidate for future roles.

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2. Deconstructing the Role: What Does a Systems/Infrastructure Engineer Do?

This is a core hands-on technical role focused on building, maintaining, and securing the IT infrastructure that underpins critical systems.

• “Managing and maintaining Windows Server environments…”: You are a Windows expert. Your CV must showcase deep experience with Active Directory, Group Policy, and general Windows Server administration.
• “Virtualisation (VMware/Hyper-V)…”: You need to be highly proficient in managing virtual machines and the underlying infrastructure.
• “Networking fundamentals…”: You’ll be responsible for ensuring the network is secure and reliable. Experience with firewalls, TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP is non-negotiable.

3. The Must-Have Skills & Eligibility

The technical skills are standard for a senior infrastructure role, but the eligibility requirements for SC clearance are strict and absolute.

• The Technical Stack:
  1. Windows Server: Expert-level knowledge is a must.
  2. VMware or Hyper-V: Proven experience in a professional environment. See what is a VMware here.
  3. Networking: Solid understanding of core networking principles.
• The Eligibility for SC Clearance: This is the critical filter. To be eligible for SC clearance, you must have been a UK resident for a minimum of 5 years. The process involves checks on your identity, employment history, criminal record, and credit history.

4. The Application Strategy: Highlighting Trust and Reliability

For a role that requires a high level of security clearance, your application needs to project more than just technical skill; it needs to project trustworthiness, reliability, and attention to detail.

• Your CV Must Be Flawless: There can be no unexplained gaps in your employment history, no typos, and no inconsistencies. Your CV will be scrutinized as part of your background check, so make sure it’s perfect.
• Emphasize “Secure Environments”: In your work experience descriptions, use keywords that align with the role. For example, instead of “Managed servers,” write “Managed and secured Windows Server infrastructure in a high-availability environment.”
• The Cover Letter is Key: Use your cover letter to explicitly acknowledge the SC clearance requirement.
  • Example line: “I understand this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance and I can confirm that I have been a continuous UK resident for the past [X] years, making me fully eligible to undergo the vetting process.”

This proactive statement shows you’ve read the details and are a serious, eligible candidate, saving the recruiter time and putting you at the top of the pile.

Ready to apply? This is a fantastic chance to build a long-term career in a stable and fascinating sector.

You can find the official job posting and apply here via CWJobs:
Systems/Infrastructure Engineer in Redhill

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Your Career in National Security Awaits

Landing a security-cleared role is a major career milestone. Sharing insights helps everyone navigate this unique process.

What are your thoughts on working in the defence tech sector? Do you have experience with the security clearance process? Share this post, like it if you found it valuable, and join the conversation in the comments below!