IT Systems Engineer

THE ROLE

Own the infrastructure and systems that underpin every programme Urban CGI touches. Build the complete technology foundation for a fast-scaling infrastructure consultancy from the ground up. This isn't about maintaining inherited systems or managing tickets—it's about architecting infrastructure at scale, commanding complete autonomy over strategy, and becoming the trusted technology authority on multi-billion-pound infrastructure programmes.

You'll report directly to the Operations Manager to set infrastructure strategy, identify technology gaps, and shape how the organisation operates. The programmes you support handle billions of pounds and involve the UK's most complex infrastructure challenges. The relationships you'll build will be with Project Directors and programme leaders on the most visible, complex projects in the country. Your infrastructure decisions directly enable planning teams, delivery teams, and creative technologists to scale their impact.

WHAT WE DO

Urban CGI embeds certainty into the world’s largest infrastructure programmes. Sequences proved before they are built. Approvals won. Behaviours changed.

We work where risks concentrate across tunnelling, heavy civil, transport and major construction. We apply behavioural science, 4D simulation and interactive models to deliver certainty that solves the biggest problems facing infrastructure megaprojects.

Now we're building the complete infrastructure and systems capability at scale. We need someone who can anchor it.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN

• Complete Microsoft infrastructure stack - Design, deploy, maintain, and evolve Windows/Microsoft infrastructure across the organisation. Active Directory, domain controllers, group policy, user management, systems administration. You own the complete sysadmin foundation.
• Manage employee devices and infrastructure - Support distributed teams across timezones. Manage device provisioning, remote access, mobile device management, user onboarding/offboarding. Ensure infrastructure scales with remote-first operations across EU and beyond.
• Security infrastructure – CrowdStrike/Defender - Deploy and manage CrowdStrike/Defender across endpoints. Implement security hardening, vulnerability management, threat response. Stay current with security threats and patch requirements. Security is embedded in everything you do.
• VPN & secure access infrastructure - Design, manage, and maintain secure remote access infrastructure. VPN architecture, authentication systems (MFA, SSO, certificates), and secure tunnelling. VPC configuration and network segmentation. VM provisioning, hardening, and lifecycle management. Ensure secure, compliant connections across distributed teams and programmes.
• AI superuser – systems builder - Build infrastructure-grade tools and systems that serve the organisation. HR platforms, ops dashboards, digital workflow automation. Write automation code (PowerShell, Python). See gaps and architect solutions, not workarounds.
• Web development & internal tools - Develop internal web applications and tools. Create user interfaces for business operations. Build systems that enable teams to work more effectively.
• Pipeline & creative technology infrastructure - Provide technical support and infrastructure for 3DS Max environments, scripts, and datasmiths operations. Create editor utilities in Unreal using C++ to enable automation and custom workflows. Design and manage digital asset pipelines (from design to deployment) for asset management, virtual production, version control (Plastic SCM), and Unreal package delivery. Manage backend infrastructure (AWS S3, DynamoDB, load balancers, Amplify, Elastic Compute) for pixelstreaming and online delivery of Unreal packages.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Complete systems administration expertise - 5+ years as a systems administrator in complex environments. 2+ years hands-on experience with Windows/Microsoft infrastructure (Active Directory, domain controllers, group policy, user provisioning). Own all company IT systems, software, infrastructure, hardware, documentation, user onboarding, offboarding, and system registers. Ensure sysadmin operations are seamless and scalable across the organisation.
• Security and compliance - Understand diverse security frameworks and compliance standards. Experience implementing and maintaining compliance frameworks to meet client technology requirements. Knowledge of security best practices and operational compliance.
• Security foundation - CrowdStrike/Defender hands-on experience. Endpoint security, threat management, vulnerability assessment. Understand modern endpoint protection and how to deploy it operationally.
• VPN & network security expertise - Hands-on experience designing and managing VPN infrastructure, VPC configuration, and VM provisioning. Secure remote access, authentication systems, network segmentation, VM hardening, and encryption protocols.
• Builder/developer mentality - Code in PowerShell, Python, or similar. Built internal tools, dashboards, automation. Architect infrastructure solutions, not just maintain inherited systems.
• Web development capability - Hands-on web development experience. Can build and maintain internal applications and web tools.
• Creative technology literacy - Understand 3DS Max and Unreal Engine. Know pipeline workflows, asset management, rendering infrastructure. Worked in environments where infrastructure serves creative teams.
• Soft skills - Responsive and reliable. Think strategically. Communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Collaborative and genuinely interested in solving problems.

HOW SUCCESS LOOKS

Stabilise and modernise infrastructure. Establish security and compliance frameworks as embedded, continuous responsibilities. Implement CrowdStrike/Defender across endpoints. Build foundational tools and automation. Become the trusted infrastructure and security authority.

Scale tools and automation across the organisation. Expand web development capabilities. Build systems that become core to how the organisation operates.

You'll carry expectation for responsive support alongside strategic infrastructure and tools work. This is a builder-doer role. There's autonomy in how you approach it, but reliability and responsiveness are non-negotiable.

WHO IS THIS FOR

This is for a systems administrator who is genuinely skilled at the fundamentals—Microsoft, security, compliance—and who also wants to build. You understand infrastructure as strategy. You're comfortable with code and creative technology. You want autonomy, you want to solve real problems, and you want to work with people who respect what infrastructure enables.

If you're looking for a traditional "ticket-taker" sysadmin role, this isn't it. If you're a builder who happens to be phenomenal at infrastructure, keep reading.

READY TO APPLY?

https://www.urbancgi.com/apply1

Code: work the plan

Work Location: Remote: EU timezone

Employment Type: Full-time contract

Remuneration: Competitive day rate, negotiable by experience and scope

Urban CGI is an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse team and creating an inclusive environment.

Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Work Location: Remote