Middlesbrough - IT Infrastructure Lead Engineer
This is position as a full-time permanent role, based at our Head Office in York. Some flexible/hybrid working options can be discussed, but you should be expected to be onsite at least 3 days per week.
As the IT Infrastructure Lead Engineer, you will be responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and management of the company’s IT infrastructure across retail stores, corporate offices, and our ecommerce platform. You will lead infrastructure projects, ensure system reliability, optimise network performance, and enhance security, whilst leading/developing a team of engineers.In addition to technical expertise, you will provide strategic direction, collaborating with cross-functional teams and mentoring junior engineers.
Core areas of responsibility will be; Infrastructure Leadership & Strategy, Network & Systems Administration, Team Leadership, Cloud & Virtualisation Management, Security & Compliance, Performance Monitoring & Optimisation and Documentation & Knowledge sharing.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the verall design, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, storage, and cloud platforms.Develp and execute strategies to ensure scalable, reliable, and secure infrastructure solutions to support retail stores and the ecommerce platform.
Lead infrastructure architecture reviews, ensuring alignment with business gals and emerging technologies.
Oversee the management of company-wide networks, including LAN/WAN, VPN, and wireless networks.
Lead the administratin of on-premise and cloud-based server environments (e.g., Azure, AWS), ensuring uptime and performance
Ensure the availability, perfrmance, and security of key systems, including point-of-sale (POS) systems, store network connectivity, and ecommerce backend systems.
Lead and mentor a team of infrastructure engineers, providing guidance, training, and technical expertise to ensure a high level of service delivery
Manage cloud infrastructure (e.g., Azure, AWS), ensuring efficient use of cloud resources, cost optimisation, and robust security.
Lead the implementatin and optimisation of virtualisation technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) to enhance system efficiency and scalability.
Design and implement disaster recvery and backup strategies to ensure business continuity in case of failures.
Ensure infrastructure security by implementing best practices and managing security systems (e.g., firewalls, endpint protection, encryption).
Maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations, including GDPR, PCI DSS, and internal security policies.
Conduct regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and incident response exercises to strengthen the organisation's security posture.
Lead and manage large-scale infrastructure projects
Collaborate with stakeholders to define project objectives, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring successful execution within budget and time constraintsCordinate with third-party vendors and service providers to deliver technical solutions and support.
Practively monitor the performance of IT systems, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to optimise performance.
Manage network and system capacity, planning for future growth and scaling infrastructure to meet business demands.
Maintain comprehensive technical documentation for all infrastructure components, systems, and processes, including developing training materials to support
What you’ll need to be our IT Infrastructure Lead Engineer:
Extensive experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and virtualisation technologies (VMware, Hyper-V).Proven experience as a Senior IT Infrastructure Engineer, Infrastructure Lead, or similar role, ideally within a retail or ecommerce environment
Leadership/Management experience
Strong expertise in managing complex network infrastructures, including LAN/WAN, VPN, firewalls, and wireless technologies.Deep understanding of server and storage management, including both Windows and Linux environments.
Solid knowledge of IT security best practices, including experience with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and data protection (PCI DSS, GDPR).
Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop junior engineers.
Excellent project management skills, with a proven track record of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.
Familiarity with ITIL processes and service management tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira).
Ideally you’ll hold certifications such as CCNP, MCSE, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or Azure Solutions Architect & ITIL Foundation or higher certification.
Knowledge of scripting and automation (e.g., PowerShell, Bash) to automate infrastructure tasks.
Experience using Terraform or Infrastructure as code would be beneficial
Pay & Benefits
Salary: up to £60,000 depending on experience plus;
Generous Staff DiscountFlexible/Hybrid working options (3 days on site weekly)
Free Parking iat Head Office
Long Service Awards
Holiday Entitlement (increases with service)
Company Contribution Pension
Death in Service benefit
Annual discretionary bonus scheme
Private Medical Insurance
Access to RetailTRUST (Wellbeing Support)
Access to the Pavers Foundation: an employee-led grant application and charitable giving scheme
About Us
Pavers has been trading for over 50 years and is a highly profitable and fast-growing family business with a strong balance sheet and a turnover over £200m. We also own the Jones Bootmaker, Herring Shoes, and Padders / Van Dal footwear business’, remain acquisitive, and employ over 1900 people.
We were recently recognised as one of the Top 5 employers in Retail (Best Companies) but are keen to improve on this position year on year, our goal is to be the best retailer to work for. We aim to better inform our colleagues and customers to join us in our commitment to making a meaningful impact on our local communities, our Pavers Foundation has donated £2.5m to date, and we see this role as instrumental in working closely with the Foundation team to continue to change lives, by donating to charities and causes close to the hearts of all our colleagues.
We are passionate about providing comfort and happiness to our customers, and we make sure to employ people who are as passionate as we are. We always look for happy, confident, upbeat people, and we provide great jobs in a supportive family environment for them.We know that without our colleagues there is no business, and so the better we look after you, the better service you will provide our customers. We always try and do the right thing by our people. Pavers are Carbon Neutral, and we are currently undertaking a significant expansion and modernisation of our York head office.