IT Infrastructure & Support Engineer

Position: IT Infrastructure & Support Engineer
Location: Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent
Role: Full-time

 

Company Background

Discovery Park is a leading science and innovation park in the Southeast of England, home to more than 160 forward-thinking companies ranging from ambitious start-ups to global multinationals. Our vibrant community spans the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, technology, and professional services sectors, creating a dynamic environment where innovation thrives.

 

Through our dedicated operational and business support teams, Discovery Park Management Ltd (DPML) delivers comprehensive facilities management across the site. This includes the maintenance of buildings, landscaped grounds, and utilities infrastructure, as well as the provision of essential services such as front-of-house reception, cleaning, logistics, security, and event management.

We are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment for all occupiers and visitors, delivering quality services across the park, whilst continuously seeking opportunities to improve and enhance the way we operate.

 

Our values guide everything we do:

·         Inspirational leadership – leading by example and empowering others

·         People-focused – treating everyone with respect, care, and professionalism

·         Operational excellence – delivering consistently high standards in all we do

·         Community spirit – working collaboratively and supporting one another as one team

 

Main Purposes of the Job

To provide effective IT support across Discovery Park and support the operation and delivery of reliable, secure IT systems and infrastructure. The role focuses on end-user support, device deployment, and the day-to-day maintenance of core IT infrastructure including networks, servers, and cloud services. The post holder will work closely with the IT & Software Development Engineer to ensure stable and well-supported technology services across the organisation.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

IT Support

  • Provide 1st and 2nd line IT support, resolving hardware, software, and basic network issues.
  • Build, configure, and deploy desktop PCs and laptops, including occasional full builds from components.
  • Image and roll out Windows devices using standard tools and processes.
  • Support Windows environments, standard business applications, and user access to systems (including internally developed applications).
  • Manage user accounts and permissions (e.g. Active Directory, Microsoft 365).
  • Support printers, meeting room technology, and shared IT equipment.
  • Provision and support mobile devices (primarily Android, with some iOS).

Infrastructure & Systems

  • Support and maintain core IT infrastructure including servers, networking, Wi-Fi, and telephony.
  • Perform routine administration, monitoring, and first-level issue resolution to minimise downtime.
  • Assist with patching, endpoint protection, backups, and system maintenance activities.
  • Support access control systems, CCTV, and operational technology environments (training provided).
  • Escalate complex infrastructure issues where required, while maintaining ownership of initial diagnosis and resolution

IT Projects & Improvements

  • Assist with IT systems and infrastructure projects including upgrades, migrations, and new implementations.
  • Carry out tasks such as device preparation, configuration, testing, and user support.
  • Proactively contribute to continuous improvement of IT services, processes, and documentation.
  • Progress agreed improvement tasks during quieter support periods.

General

  • Maintain accurate IT records including asset registers, licences, and configurations.
  • Produce and maintain clear technical documentation and user guidance.
  • Provide basic user training and support adoption of IT systems.
  • Follow organisational policies relating to cybersecurity, data protection (GDPR), and backups.
  • Contribute to a professional, customer-focused IT support service.

 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

As required by the Business and/or directed by Management

Essential

  • Relevant IT qualification or equivalent practical experience.
  • Experience in an IT support or IT engineering role.
  • Strong hands-on experience building, configuring, and deploying PCs and laptops.
  • Experience supporting Windows environments, including device imaging.
  • Practical experience supporting IT infrastructure, including networks (e.g. switches, Wi-Fi, basic firewall concepts).
  • Understanding of core IT concepts: user accounts, permissions, VPNs, DNS/DHCP, printers.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to work independently.
  • Good communication skills with the ability to support users at all levels.
  • Well organised, reliable, and able to manage workload effectively.
  • Experience supporting and provisioning mobile devices (Android, with some iOS exposure).

 

Desirable

  • Experience administering Microsoft 365 and/or Azure AD.
  • Familiarity with endpoint management tools (e.g. Intune or similar).
  • Basic Linux knowledge.
  • Exposure to cyber security tools or practices.
  • Basic scripting/automation skills (e.g. PowerShell)
  • Basic experience supporting macOS devices.
  • Experience working in a multi-site or operational/industrial environment

 

Note: The Job Description is not intended to be all inclusive. The job holder may be required to perform other related duties to meet the on-going needs of the Company

Annual Salary: £35,000.00 DOE

Working Week: e.g. 40 hours per week – 8am to 5pm (inclusive of 1-hour unpaid break each day)

 

Benefits:

  • 25 days annual leave plus Public Bank Holidays
  • 40 hours per week – 8am to 5pm (inclusive of 1-hour unpaid break each day)
  • Free on-site parking
  • Employee Discount & Recognition Platform (Discovery Perks)
  • Access to Employee Assistance Programme
  • 10% Discount at on-site catering outlets
  • 10 days company sick pay in any rolling year, after successful completion of probation*
  • Workplace pension (3% employer contribution) for those aged between 22 and state pension age.
  • On site Gym

 

Annual Salary: £35,000.00 DOE

Working Week: e.g. 40 hours per week – 8am to 5pm (inclusive of 1-hour unpaid break each day)

 

Benefits may be subject to change

 

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to: humanresources@discovery-park.co.uk

ChemPartner Expands European Presence with New Scientific Site at Discovery Park, UK

International contract research organisation ChemPartner has officially opened its first European scientific hub at Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent. The company works with the biopharmaceutical industry to efficiently and rapidly bring life-changing drugs to market.

 

Founded in Shanghai in 2002, ChemPartner has more than 2,000 employees globally, most of whom are based in Asia. The company currently has seven UK employees, many of whom work hybrid, and is actively recruiting for a Senior Scientist to be based at Discovery Park. 

 

ChemPartner’s Discovery Park facility is a dedicated centre for preclinical and translational research, supporting drug discovery with early-stage in vitro screening and allowing for increased operational agility and accelerated timelines. The new lab has been established in collaboration with Canterbury Christ Church University, through which ChemPartner is able to access advanced laboratory equipment onsite. 

 

This new scientific hub marks the first step in ChemPartner’s broader UK and EU expansion, complementing the recent establishment of an R&D Centre of Excellence in Boston, USA, and the company’s established European administrative operations in Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

“Establishing our presence at Discovery Park reflects ChemPartner’s commitment to bringing high-quality science closer to our clients,” says Yinfei Yin, SVP of Biology, BD and Marketing. “This site enhances our ability to deliver responsive, integrated support across Europe, and we are excited to scale these capabilities alongside our partners.”

Mayer Schreiber, CEO at Discovery Park added: “ChemPartner is exactly the kind of globally ambitious business that Discovery Park was built for. The decision to establish a first European scientific hub here is a powerful endorsement of our community, and we look forward to being part of their growth story.” 

ChemPartner marked the launch of its new hub with an opening event at Discovery Park on 10 April, attended by the Global Leadership team including William Woo, CEO and Chairman of ChemPartner.

How Can Executive Coaching Support Today’s Life Science and Tech Founders?

📅 Tuesday, 28th April⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM (doors from 9:30 AM)📍 71 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AY

 

Founder development is often deprioritised, even as investors expect stronger leadership under pressure. Coaching is not a luxury, it is increasingly a condition of investment and a driver of commercial success. In this workshop, founders will hear from experienced coaches working at the intersection of leadership, growth, and complexity, exploring how coaching provides trusted thinking space to sharpen judgement, navigate uncertainty, manage competing demands, and build the capacity required to lead with confidence and sustainable momentum in an evolving ecosystem.

RSVP

 

Coffee and Connect

📅 Tuesday, 12th May⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 📍 Barclays Eagle Labs, Discovery Park

Coffee and Connect – an opportunity for networking and socialising with other tenants.

RSVP