Lead Systems Engineer

We're looking for a Lead Systems Engineer to keep Blue Bolt's infrastructure running smoothly, efficiently and securely. You'll bring substantial experience managing servers and networks across on‑premise and cloud environments, with strong Linux and macOS skills. The role is primarily technical, but you should also enjoy leading a team, shaping projects and sharing knowledge with the people around you.

You’ll join a friendly, collaborative Tech team that supports Blue Bolt's artists and production staff in creating beautiful images for film and TV. You’ll report to the CTO.

• Keep Blue Bolt's systems running smoothly and securely
• Lead the day‑to‑day work of the Systems team, with support from the Tech Coordinator
• Shape the Systems team's roadmap in partnership with the CTO and with input from the team
• Install, configure and upgrade software, servers and network infrastructure
• Monitor system performance and carry out routine maintenance
• Maintain security through access controls, backups and firewalls
• Investigate and resolve technical issues quickly and calmly
• Provide out‑of‑hours support, including visits to our data centres when needed
• Mentor team members and provide technical leadership
• Maintain internal technical documentation
• Manage relationships with external contractors

• Strong working knowledge of Linux (we currently run Rocky
  9) and macOS
• IP networks, subnets, routing and network services (NFS, DNS, DHCP, LDAP)
• Creating, using and optimising VMs and containers
• Cloud services, particularly AWS
• Switches, routers, firewalls and VPNs
• Writing clear, reusable scripts in Python or Bash
• Resourcefulness and a problem‑solving mindset
• Strong organisation and time management
• Clear communication with non‑technical colleagues

• Monitoring and maintaining disk storage
• Supporting a render farm (we currently use Deadline)
• Security best practice
• Procurement and capital expenditure planning
• Software licensing

Blue Bolt is an award‑winning visual effects company. It specialises in compositing, computer graphics and digital matte painting for film and television productions. Over the past seventeen years Blue Bolt has worked on many projects including Season One of Game of Thrones, Skyfall, all of Peaky Blinders, The Northman, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, and Nosferatu. We have won and been nominated for many awards in this time.