Job Title: Senior Digital Forensic Specialist - Infrastructure
Salary: The starting salary is £63,409, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.
The salary is broken down as £60,400 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £65,886. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: Lambeth
Senior Digital Forensic Specialist - Infrastructure
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Metropolitan Police Service Forensic Directorate as a Senior Digital Forensic Specialist – Infrastructure. We are seeking a motivated, adaptable and knowledgeable individual who can bridge the gap between rapidly evolving technology and the complex operational environment of policing London.
This role will be to lead the operational delivery, maintenance, and optimisation of Digital Forensics infrastructure. The role holder will ensure that forensic staff, investigators and support staff have secure, reliable and FSR code compliant systems to enable the efficient examination, processing, storage, retention and destruction of data.
Key Activities (to include but not limited to)
- Manage and maintain the infrastructure that supports digital forensic workflows, including case management platforms, forensic processing environments, forensic support infrastructure and high-capacity secure storage.
- Manage the day-to-day operation of servers, storage systems, specialist forensic hardware and secure networks involved in evidence processing alongside DDaT and suppliers.
- Ensure 24/7 availability and resilience of mission-critical systems with robust back-up and disaster recovery strategies
- Ensuring cybersecurity measures are in place to safeguard sensitive case data.
- Monitor and maintain server infrastructure, ensuring regular updates, backups, and security patches
- Update and configure OPNsense firewall and network security settings to safeguard system security
- Act as the SME for data governance within Digital Forensics, ensuring appropriate management, movement, access, retention, and disposal of digital forensic data across all platforms.
- To identify opportunities, technical capability gaps, provide problem solving capability and solution delivery to meet this challenge.
- Responsible for delivering Digital Forensic technology plans with the strategic direction of the organisation
- Work with key stakeholders including DDaT and Commercial to manage finances, including preparing budgets and forecasts and exercising financial control of allocated funds, producing estimates of projected spend and financial reports.
- Responsible for critical systems business continuity plans (document, influence and respond when necessary i.e. system shutdowns).
- Be prepared to be on-call and work outside of normal office hours as investigations or critical activities require.
- Line management responsibilities.
Application Process
The initial application process will comprise a CV (2 pages maximum), a personal statement evidencing how you meet the essential criteria for the role (500 words maximum) and the following CVF elements:
- We take ownership (CVF Level 3)
Detail a time where you have identified a problem and explain the actions you took to resolve this. (Min 200 words, max 500 words) - We collaborate (CVF Level 2)
Detail a time where you have worked with others to achieve a task or goal. (Min 200 words, max 500 words) - We are innovative and open-minded (CVF Level 2)
Detail a time where you have implemented or contributed to a project. (Min 200 words, max 500 words)
Please see the attached CVF documentation link which will assist you with this.
Those successful at the paper-sift stage will be invited to attend an interview which will be assessed against the remaining CVF elements:
- We support and inspire (CVF Level 2)
- We are emotionally aware (CVF Level 2)
- We analyse critically (CVF Level 3)
The interview process will also include a 10-minute technical presentation (topic will be given when invited to interview.) There will be additional technical questions.
The values and principles will not be subject to questions but will be evaluated throughout the process.
Additional Information:
The role holder will be required to:
- provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the staff elimination databases
- agree to abide by the MPS Standards of Conduct
- understand and accept the core principles set out in the H&S Policy in relation to your role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day-to-day activities
- work within the Forensic Service Quality Management System and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the system by participating in quality assurance activities, engaging in internal and external audits, competence and proficiency tests, reporting non-conformances and proposing changes to improve the system
- (if applicable) to pass initial/further training elements within probationary period
- (If applicable) may be required to have the appropriate inoculations
- comply with the requirements of the Metropolitan Police Service policies on Drug and Alcohol testing (substance misuse)
- comply with security policies
- understand and accept the personal responsibility to protect and maintain the confidentiality of all Met information and any intellectual property.
- comply with mandatory training requirements
- comply with and promote Metropolitan Police Service policies on diversity and inclusion both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others
- demonstrate effective visible safety leadership, understand H&S policy and lead compliance within area of responsibility. Implement the principles and requirements of H&S policy in your day-to-day activities and within the teams you work/manage. Encourage open dialogue and feedback on safety issues
- Understand and accept the core principles set out in the H&S Policy in relation to your role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day-to-day activities
Please note:
In the next 12–18 months Digital Forensics may be introducing a 24/7 operating model as part of an investment and transformation plan to ensure the best service to support operational policing. These teams will work on a rotational shift pattern compromising early, late and night shifts, inclusive of weekends. Approximately 20% of the overall staff in DF will be required to support it. These posts attract an additional 20% shift allowance plus weekend premium payments on top of the salary advertised above.
All new staff are eligible to be placed on a shift rota subject to the relevant notice given; however, in the first instance placements on these teams will be allocated to those who volunteer. Any remaining places will be allocated by management and will also be subject to certain skills required to support out‑of‑hours services.
Although this role is not expected to be directly affected by this requirement, by applying you acknowledge that you may be assigned to one of the 24/7 shift teams and could be rotated according to business needs
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button “. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement you must evidence how you meet the essential criteria for the role (500 words maximum). Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 26th May 2026.
