Lead Infrastructure Engineer

Summary

A lead infrastructure engineer manages third party provision of infrastructure services and the provision of expertise to develop architectural solutions for infrastructure services, throughout the service product life cycle.

At this role level, you will:

oversee programmes and projects
work with technical architects to translate the architectural designs into operations and support technical architects in operationalising the designs
lead and direct infrastructure specialist teams in building, managing, supporting and maintaining solutions according to departmental policy (if taking a managerial path)

Background

Background Components

Description	Background
Has a broad understanding of the technical and operational aspects of working with external telecommunications service suppliers. Has an extensive knowledge, both theoretical and practical of a wide range of communications systems, networks, software, hardware and supplier services, networking media, services, and facilities. Understands the technical and economic needs of the business, is budget conscious and possesses strong interpersonal skills and knowledge of project management.	Prior Knowledge and Skills

Description

Background

Has a broad understanding of the technical and operational aspects of working with external telecommunications service suppliers. Has an extensive knowledge, both theoretical and practical of a wide range of communications systems, networks, software, hardware and supplier services, networking media, services, and facilities. Understands the technical and economic needs of the business, is budget conscious and possesses strong interpersonal skills and knowledge of project management.

Prior Knowledge and Skills

Work Activity Components

Title	Details
Incident management	Responds to operational incidents and contributes to their resolution, checking that they are managed in accordance with agreed standards and procedures.
Automation tools	Configures tools to automate the provisioning, testing and deployment of new and changed infrastructure.
Advice/guidance	Provides advice and guidance to, business management, analysts, designers, and less experienced colleagues on all aspects of network design and technology. Ensures that all network requirements are reflected in design specifications.
User interfaces	Specifies user/system interfaces, including reports, validation and error correction procedures, processing rules, access, security and audit controls, recovery routines and contingency
Physical design and operational requirements	Translates logical designs into physical designs taking account of the target environment, performance requirements, existing systems, regulatory constraints, budgets, power supply requirements, fire protection and any potential safety-related aspects.
Logical design	Produces logical network designs showing, for example, processes, objects, topologies and components. Identifies and applies common processes.
Option evaluation	Reviews network costs against external service providers, new developments and new services, initiating proposals to change network design where appropriate cost reductions and benefits can be achieved. Obtains and evaluates proposals from suppliers of equipment and software, and other network service providers.
Assessment/selection	Assists in the assessment and selection of suitable networking solutions to meet all or parts of specified requirements, including the design and establishment of call centre telecommunications systems and services.
Development needs	Supports the identification and prioritisation of development needs for a professional practice area. Identifies development activities that align with organisational priorities, learning and development strategies and career pathways.
Communities of practice	Provides advice, guidance and, where appropriate, support for the establishment and organisation of communities of practice.
Supplier performance	Performs benchmarking and makes use of supplier performance data to ensure that supplier performance is properly monitored and regularly reviewed.
Communication and liaison	Ensures that users in own organisation are aware of the terms and conditions of contracts and deal appropriately with suppliers, resolving any disputes or conflicts. Facilitates good communications between suppliers and users within own organisation.
Incidents, problems and disputes	Manages operational relationships between suppliers. Ensures potential disputes or conflicts are raised at an early stage, with clear escalation paths for resolving them.
Service improvements and collaboration	Manages the implementation of supplier service improvement actions. Uses suppliers’ expertise to support and inform development roadmaps.

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge/Skills Components

Title	Depth	Details	Type
Conceptual Thinking	Acquiring understanding and insights regarding the underlying issues in complex problems or situations through the development of abstract representations, the identification of patterns and the analysis of hypotheses.	Behavioural Skills
Cross-Functional and Inter-Disciplinary Awareness	Understanding the needs, objectives and constraints of those in other disciplines and functions.	Behavioural Skills
Configuration Management	Familiar with	The discipline that gives precise control over IT assets and components by recording and maintaining information about the ‘configuration items’, including hardware devices, computer programs, software licences, documentation, network devices, and data centre facilities (virtualised and static).	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Infrastructure Architecture	Proficient in	The frameworks and principles on which networks, systems, equipment and resources are based both on premises and cloud-based.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Networking and Communications	Expert in	The planning and management of the interaction between two or more networking systems, computers or other intelligent devices.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Operating Systems	Proficient in	System software that controls activities such as input, output, dynamic resource allocation, and error reporting, within the operation of a computer configuration.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Programming Languages	Proficient in	A set of codes and syntax (supported by software tools) that enables the unambiguous translation of specified functionality into source code for the creation of computer programs.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Corporate, Industry and Professional Standards	Familiar with	Applying standards, practices, codes, and assessment and certification programmes relevant to the IT industry, and the specific organisation or business domain.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Telecommunications Protocols	Proficient in	Rules for the inter-operation of networking components.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Business Continuity Planning	Familiar with	Methods and techniques for risk assessment, business impact analysis, establishment of countermeasures and contingency arrangements relating to the serious disruption of IT services.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Third Party IT Products and Services	Proficient in	The IT products and/or services supplied to own organisation by external suppliers.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Network Traffic Analysis	Proficient in	Methods and techniques for the capture of traffic information (packet level) and the forensic analysis of this information into its constituent elements.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Big Data	Familiar with	The discipline associated with data sets so large and/or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. The data files may include structured, unstructured and/or semi-structured data, such as unstructured text, audio, video, etc. Challenges include analysis, capture, curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, manipulation, analysis, visualization and information privacy.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Cloud/Virtualisation	Proficient in	The principles and application of cloud/ virtualisation (including ownership, responsibilities and security implications). Use of tools and systems to manage virtualised environments.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Wi-Fi	Proficient in	The principles, functions and operation of Wi-Fi components, routers, hubs and repeaters and the installation of Wi-Fi hot spots with appropriate use of security and encryption techniques.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Communications Modelling Tools	Proficient in	Tools and techniques (manual or automated) that can be used to plan or document an understanding of the design, structure, relationships and usage of networks.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Safe Installation Practice	Familiar with	The knowledge and ability to install and maintain hardware systems to operate within their planned specification in a way that ensures they are safe to use by those authorised to work with them.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Network Data Security	Proficient in	Network security and threat mitigation, including physical, electronic, firewalling, encryption, access, and authorisation; protecting data at rest and in transit; defending against viruses and malware; the impact of Big Data; and the integration of robust security controls into enterprise services and policies.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Infrastructure/System Security	Proficient in	The security threats and vulnerabilities that impact and/or emanate from system hardware, software and other infrastructure components, and relevant strategies, controls and activities to prevent, mitigate, detect and resolve security incidents affecting system hardware, software and other infrastructure components.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Budgets	Familiar with	Principles, methods, techniques and tools for the preparation and monitoring of budgets to manage costs and ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Risk Management	Familiar with	Methods and techniques for the assessment and management of business risk including safety-related risk.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Techniques for Effective Meetings	Familiar with	Methods and techniques for running effective meetings and for understanding and influencing the roles played by participants.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Coaching Techniques	Familiar with	Methods and techniques for coaching individuals or groups by a balanced combination of support and direction, including use of virtual learning environments plus add-ons to augment feedback specific to work items, workflow or career plans.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Project Planning and Control Techniques	Familiar with	Methods and techniques associated with planning and monitoring progress of projects.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Service Level Agreements	Proficient in	The purpose and composition of a service level agreement (SLA); the relationship between an SLA, an OLA (Operational Level Agreement) and an underpinning contract for the supply of services.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Contract Management	Familiar with	Methods and techniques for managing contracts to ensure that suppliers adhere to agreed contract requirements.	Other Knowledge and Skills

Training Activities

Training Components

Title	Details
Program Design Methods and	Programming or system development methods (e.g. structured program design).
Software Configuration	Installation, configuration and tuning of applications or systems software.
Wide Area Networks	Features and characteristics of networks configured over a wide area i.e. beyond the geographical boundaries of a single site.
Local Area Networks	Features and characteristics of local area networks relevant to installation and support of hardware and software components.
Coaching	Concepts, methods and techniques for providing coaching in subject specialisms to individuals or groups (e.g. GROW model).
Contract Law Principles	Knowledge and understanding of general contract law principles and awareness of key issues in contracts, such as Sale of Goods and Services Act 1982, limitations of liability, indemnities, warranties and termination rights.
Mentoring	Methods and techniques for providing mentoring support to less experienced individuals.
Security Awareness	Tools and techniques to help users and employees understand the role they play in helping to combat information security breaches and for IT and security professionals to prevent and mitigate risk.
User Interface Design	Principles, practices, tools and techniques for user interface design and the creation of graphical user interfaces that make user interaction with systems, software, and applications as simple and efficient as possible.

PDAs

PDA Components

Title	Details
Deputising	Standing in for supervisor or manager on a temporary basis during periods of absence.
Job Shadowing and Special Assignments	Undertaking temporary periods or secondments in other roles, inside or outside IT, particularly those that offer a new perspective on own function or exposure to other environments and cultures.
Project Assignments	Participating in a project team, working group or task force established to deliver a solution to a specific problem or issue – especially valuable if the group is inter-disciplinary.
Mentoring	Acting as a mentor, advising those for whom there is no direct responsibility, on matters to do with their job role, career and professional development.
Research Assignments	Exploring a topic which is not part of own normal responsibilities and presenting findings to colleagues and/or management
Gaining Knowledge of Broader IT Issues	Increasing and maintaining currency of knowledge of broader IT issues through reading, attending and participating in seminars or conferences, special studies, temporary assignments etc.
Gaining Strategic Knowledge of Employing Organisation	Developing a comprehensive understanding of the business environment in which the employing organisation operates and its position, policies and direction in relation to industry, country and global issues.
Participation in Professional Body Affairs	Taking an active part in professional body affairs at branch, specialist group, committee or board level.
Negotiating and Influencing	Undertaking learning and practice of negotiating with and influencing others.
Team Leadership	Undertaking learning and practice of the skills required to lead teams, including motivation, direction, coaching, delegation, appraisal, counselling and developing others.

Qualifications

Qualification Components

Title	Awarding Body
Chartered IT Professional (CITP)	BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT
FEDIP Advanced Practitioner	FEDIP

Organisation Skills

Framework » Organisation Category » Subcategory	Skill Name and Description	Level
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Coding and scripting (infrastructure engineer) You can understand the limitations of software or product technology, and why coding is important. You can prototype code, but you won’t necessarily have to make production-ready code. You can talk to developers and know when to switch code. You can understand security, accessibility and version control.	2 – Working You can interact with and read code. You can write HTML and carry out baseline repair activities.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Information security You can maintain the security, confidentiality and integrity of information systems through compliance with relevant legislation and regulations. You can design, implement and operate controls and management strategies to allow this.	3 – Practitioner You can understand information security. You can design solutions and services with security controls embedded, specifically engineered with mitigation of security threats as a core feature.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations IT infrastructure You can support, design and implement infrastructure technologies and solutions. These can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open-source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).	4 – Expert You can lead teams and departments in the design, implementation, administration and support of infrastructure solutions and services.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Modern standards approach You can apply a modern standards approach throughout automation and testing.	4 – Expert You can demonstrate a strong understanding of the most appropriate modern standards and practices, and how they are applied. You can coach and guide others in these standards.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Ownership and initiative You can take ownership of problems and proactively resolve technical problems, ensuring that technical solutions continue to meet business requirements. You can take full accountability for the actions taken and decisions made.	3 – Practitioner You can take accountability for issues that occur and be proactive in searching for potential problems. You can achieve excellent user outcomes.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Problem management You can understand and identify problems, analysing and helping to identify the appropriate solution. You can classify and prioritise problems, document their causes and implement remedies.	2 – Working You can initiate and monitor actions to investigate patterns and trends to resolve problems. You can effectively consult specialists where required. You can determine the appropriate remedy and assist with its implementation. You can determine preventative measures.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Service focus You can maintain focus on the whole life of service delivery (designing, developing, delivering and operating). You can ensure that a set of IT products, suppliers and vendors come together to deliver an IT service.	2 – Working You can take inputs and establish coherent frameworks that work.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Systems design You can create the specification and design of systems to meet defined business needs. You can work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs. You can visualise the ideal user service and come up with design ideas and possible design approaches. You can effectively explore different approaches to solving problems.	3 – Practitioner You can design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity. You can select appropriate design standards, methods and tools, and ensure they are applied effectively. You can review the systems designs of others to ensure the selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Systems integration You can identify integration points between systems and processes, designing data contracts and communication between the components. You can make use of modern design patterns that reduce risk and complexity where possible. You can perform integration tests as part of the development process, drawing on suitable testing frameworks and methodologies.	4 – Expert You can establish standards and procedures across a service product life cycle, including the development product life cycle, and can ensure that practitioners adhere to these. You can manage resources to ensure that the systems integration function works effectively.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Technical understanding You can demonstrate knowledge of the specific technologies necessary to fulfil the responsibilities and tasks of the role. You can apply the required breadth and depth of technical knowledge. You can actively keep informed of industry developments to make cost-effective use of new and emerging tools and technologies.	4 – Expert You can anticipate and advise on future technology changes that present opportunities for the product or programme.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Testing You can plan, design, manage, execute and report tests, using appropriate tools and techniques. You can work within regulations. You can ensure that risks associated with deployment are adequately understood and documented.	3 – Practitioner You can manage the planning of system and acceptance tests, co-ordinating both functional and non-functional specifications. You can provide authoritative advice and guidance on test planning. You can identify process improvements and contribute to the definition of best practice.
DDaT » IT Operations	IT Operations Troubleshooting and problem resolution You can think laterally to break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes, allowing problem resolution. You can troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities that can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open-source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).	4 – Expert You can use lateral thinking to break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes. You can troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities including computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS) and open- source software.

Framework » Organisation
Category » Subcategory

Skill Name and Description

Level

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Coding and scripting (infrastructure engineer)

You can understand the limitations of software or product technology, and why coding is important. You can prototype code, but you won’t necessarily have to make production-ready code. You can talk to developers and know when to switch code. You can understand security, accessibility and version control.

2 – Working

You can interact with and read code. You can write HTML and carry out baseline repair activities.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Information security

You can maintain the security, confidentiality and integrity of information systems through compliance with relevant legislation and regulations. You can design, implement and operate controls and management strategies to allow this.

3 – Practitioner

You can understand information security. You can design solutions and services with security controls embedded, specifically engineered with mitigation of security threats as a core feature.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations IT infrastructure

You can support, design and implement infrastructure technologies and solutions. These can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open-source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

4 – Expert

You can lead teams and departments in the design, implementation, administration and support of infrastructure solutions and services.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Modern standards approach

You can apply a modern standards approach throughout automation and testing.

4 – Expert

You can demonstrate a strong understanding of the most appropriate modern standards and practices, and how they are applied. You can coach and guide others in these standards.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Ownership and initiative

You can take ownership of problems and proactively resolve technical problems, ensuring that technical solutions continue to meet business requirements. You can take full accountability for the actions taken and decisions made.

3 – Practitioner

You can take accountability for issues that occur and be proactive in searching for potential problems. You can achieve excellent user outcomes.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Problem management

You can understand and identify problems, analysing and helping to identify the appropriate solution. You can classify and prioritise problems, document their causes and implement remedies.

2 – Working

You can initiate and monitor actions to investigate patterns and trends to resolve problems. You can effectively consult specialists where required. You can determine the appropriate remedy and assist with its implementation.

You can determine preventative measures.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Service focus

You can maintain focus on the whole life of service delivery (designing, developing, delivering and operating). You can ensure that a set of IT products, suppliers and vendors come together to deliver an IT service.

2 – Working

You can take inputs and establish coherent frameworks that work.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Systems design

You can create the specification and design of systems to meet defined business needs. You can work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs. You can visualise the ideal user service and come up with design ideas and possible design approaches. You can effectively explore different approaches to solving problems.

3 – Practitioner

You can design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity. You can select appropriate design standards, methods and tools, and ensure they are applied effectively. You can review the systems designs of others to ensure the selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Systems integration

You can identify integration points between systems and processes, designing data contracts and communication between the components. You can make use of modern design patterns that reduce risk and complexity where possible. You can perform integration tests as part of the development process, drawing on suitable testing frameworks and methodologies.

4 – Expert

You can establish standards and procedures across a service product life cycle, including the development product life cycle, and can ensure that practitioners adhere to these. You can manage resources to ensure that the systems integration function works effectively.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Technical understanding

You can demonstrate knowledge of the specific technologies necessary to fulfil the responsibilities and tasks of the role. You can apply the required breadth and depth of technical knowledge. You can actively keep informed of industry developments to make cost-effective use of new and emerging tools and technologies.

4 – Expert

You can anticipate and advise on future technology changes that present opportunities for the product or programme.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Testing

You can plan, design, manage, execute and report tests, using appropriate tools and techniques. You can work within regulations. You can ensure that risks associated with deployment are adequately understood and documented.

3 – Practitioner

You can manage the planning of system and acceptance tests, co-ordinating both functional and non-functional specifications. You can provide authoritative advice and guidance on test planning. You can identify process improvements and contribute to the definition of best practice.

DDaT » IT Operations

IT Operations Troubleshooting and problem resolution

You can think laterally to break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes, allowing problem resolution. You can troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities that can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open-source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

4 – Expert

You can use lateral thinking to break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes. You can troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities including computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS) and open- source software.

This job role profile was created in collaboration with BCS, using Role Model Plus. BCS is the professional body that has the responsibility of updating this job family.

Summary

Background

Background Components

Work Activity Components

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge/Skills Components

Training Activities

Training Components

PDAs

PDA Components

Qualifications

Qualification Components

Organisation Skills

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