The DevOps engineer will ensure that Lightning Fibre’s internal systems, applications, and monitoring platforms run reliably, securely, and efficiently. The role focuses on managing and automating our FreeBSD and Linux virtual machines, all hosted on a private cloud infrastructure.
A key responsibility is maintaining and enhancing the logging, monitoring and alerting platforms that collect status and performance data from both our core network and customer connections. This enables the business to proactively identify and respond to issues, while giving Customer/Tech Support, Network and delivery teams the information they need.
This role also drives automation and operational visibility across the company, from deployments to and status pages to Jira/Confluence workflow automation, and future use of private AI/ML models that help spot anomalies and patterns in large volumes of operational data.
Ultimately this role helps us deliver a more resilient network and a smoother customer experience by ensuring that our systems and processes scale with the company’s growth.
Principle accountabilities of the role
Maintain and optimise our FreeBSD and Debian/Ubuntu virtual machines
Own our monitoring and observability stack (Grafana, Loki, Prometheus, etc.)
Implement, refine, and support CI/CD pipelines for bespoke internal applications
Develop infrastructure-as-code (e.g. Ansible) to improve repeatability and reduce manual intervention
Automate system administration tasks, deployments, and updates
Troubleshoot production issues and participate in on-call rotation
Work with development and project teams to design and implement operational requirements from the ground up
Ensure system security patching, and compliance with internal policies
Skills and experience required
Proven experience in a DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering, or Systems Administration role
Strong experience with FreeBSD and Debian Linux
Solid understanding of virtualisation and private cloud platforms (e.g. Proxmox, VMware)
Experience with configuration management tools (Ansible, SaltStack, Puppet, or Chef)
Experience with monitoring and logging stacks (Grafana, Loki, Prometheus, or equivalents)
Proficiency in at least one scripting language (Perl, Python, or similar)
Strong troubleshooting skills across systems, networks, and applications
Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls)
Infrastructure-as-Code experience
Experience integrating bespoke or legacy applications into automated workflows
Familiarity with CI/CD tools (GitLab CI, Jenkins, or similar)
Knowledge of secure system design and hardening practices
FreeRadius administration or integration experience
Understanding of TR-069 / TR-181 /TR-369 for CPE device management
Experience with Jira/Confluence automation
Exposure to private AI/ML tooling for anomaly detection or data analysis at scale
Job Details:
Benefits we can offer you include
Who we are
Lightning Fibre was established in 2018 and is the leading local alternative network provider of symmetric full fibre broadband in East Sussex. We build and operate our own network from our headquarters in Polegate.
Our broadband network can supply our standard installed customers with anything up to 10 Gigabits in both download and uploads.
We are a community orientated network operator, whose aim is to significantly upgrade our region’s broadband infrastructure. By providing local jobs and keeping local money in the areas we serve, we act as a vital enabler to grow our digital local economy.
Please submit your CV together with a short covering letter or message which should outline what you will bring to this role.