Joining Leighton as a Senior Cloud Engineer
They say if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Joining the AWS Practice at Leighton, I knew straight away I was in the right one.
In my short time here I can see it’s a place full of people who know their craft inside out. AWS Heroes, Community Builders, ex-AWS-staff, and seasoned professionals are everywhere you look - there is clearly a reason Leighton is trusted by some of the world's biggest brands.
I spent my first day in the Newcastle office - right in the city centre.
I met my line manager in reception, and headed on up to the 12th floor to get my building access sorted. Immediately you notice the great panoramic views of the city. There is a barista on hand for a caffeine fix, and the dog friendly office boosted my mood even higher. Seeing a greyhound chilling out in a cosy bed was the perfect welcome grinning face with smiling eyes
I’m on a fully remote contract, but it’s great to know I have this to come to if the need arises, or the fancy takes me.
During my onboarding, my line manager gave me a lot of his time. Instead of the quick intro and hand off, we spent the day properly getting to know the company and its projects. I got a walkthrough of the systems, the way the team delivers work, and how the AWS Practice fits into the bigger picture at Leighton.
We grabbed dinner (lunch for the southerners) at Greggs and I learned about the vision for the team, where we’re heading, and what “good” looks like. I was also asked more about my own aspirations and where I want to take my career - highlighting that this is a place that listens and doesn’t just direct.
In the time since my first day, I’ve had one-to-one calls with multiple members of the C-Suite and senior management - and I was happy to discover that they’re real people. They’re clearly obsessed with delivering value, but they take the time to talk about life outside of work, and their own aspirations. To me, that openness makes a difference, you feel like you’re being led by humans, not job titles.
One of the first things that stood out to me was the buddy system.
From day one you’re paired with someone who helps you hit the ground running - letting you know about the systems, processes, and who’s who, but it’s more than that.
Your buddy is your go-to person, who genuinely wants you to settle in, ask questions, and succeed.
This makes a huge difference when you’re joining a fast-paced team that’s already moving at speed.
By the end of my first week, I wrapped up feeling settled, supported, and excited for what’s ahead, then logged off to spend the afternoon playing with my best buddy... my one-year-old.
The perfect way to end a great first week.
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In the AWS Practice, our key focus is Agency and Urgency.
These principles sound simple, but unpacking them really shows how the teams operate:
Agency means the teams own their work end-to-end, from design and deployments, through to optimisation and analysis. You’re trusted to make important decisions, and encouraged to experiment. This principle also supports:
- Trust - the team are trusted, and don’t need to be micromanaged.
- Accountability - the team are free to make decisions, but own the results.
- Empowerment - the team are empowered with the relevant tools and authority to act.
Urgency means the teams prioritise momentum, favouring short feedback loops, measurable outcomes and small iterations. It’s not about rushing, but about being responsive and keeping work visible, it’s disciplined speed. The principle also supports:
- Focus - the team act on what matters, and avoid distractions
- Decisiveness - the team make calls based on the best-available information and don’t wait for perfection.
There’s a lot happening across Leighton’s AWS Practice, with a variety of interesting client and open-source projects in progress, and on the horizon. I’ve already got stuck into some of our Open Source Software (OSS) work!
Cloud Blocks, for example, is an open-source collection of AWS CDK constructs designed to help teams build secure, reusable, and production-ready cloud infrastructure faster - making it easier and quicker for teams to adopt the CDK with confidence.
You can explore more of Leighton's OSS here. Ideas, improvements, and contributions are always welcome!
It feels like I’ve joined Leighton at the perfect time, as we’re hosting the AWS North Community Conference in Newcastle on the 16th October 2025, with some awesome speakers lined up - you don’t want to miss it!
For me, joining a company that invests so much in its people and the tech community is extra special.
If you haven’t already, get your ticket here before they run out!
If what you’ve read here feels like your kind of culture, take a look at the current openings on our careers page.
They say if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Joining the AWS Practice at Leighton, I knew straight away I was in the right one.
In my short time here I can see it’s a place full of people who know their craft inside out. AWS Heroes, Community Builders, ex-AWS-staff, and seasoned professionals are everywhere you look - there is clearly a reason Leighton is trusted by some of the world's biggest brands.
I spent my first day in the Newcastle office - right in the city centre.
I met my line manager in reception, and headed on up to the 12th floor to get my building access sorted. Immediately you notice the great panoramic views of the city. There is a barista on hand for a caffeine fix, and the dog friendly office boosted my mood even higher. Seeing a greyhound chilling out in a cosy bed was the perfect welcome grinning face with smiling eyes
I’m on a fully remote contract, but it’s great to know I have this to come to if the need arises, or the fancy takes me.
During my onboarding, my line manager gave me a lot of his time. Instead of the quick intro and hand off, we spent the day properly getting to know the company and its projects. I got a walkthrough of the systems, the way the team delivers work, and how the AWS Practice fits into the bigger picture at Leighton.
We grabbed dinner (lunch for the southerners) at Greggs and I learned about the vision for the team, where we’re heading, and what “good” looks like. I was also asked more about my own aspirations and where I want to take my career - highlighting that this is a place that listens and doesn’t just direct.
In the time since my first day, I’ve had one-to-one calls with multiple members of the C-Suite and senior management - and I was happy to discover that they’re real people. They’re clearly obsessed with delivering value, but they take the time to talk about life outside of work, and their own aspirations. To me, that openness makes a difference, you feel like you’re being led by humans, not job titles.
One of the first things that stood out to me was the buddy system.
From day one you’re paired with someone who helps you hit the ground running - letting you know about the systems, processes, and who’s who, but it’s more than that.
Your buddy is your go-to person, who genuinely wants you to settle in, ask questions, and succeed.
This makes a huge difference when you’re joining a fast-paced team that’s already moving at speed.
By the end of my first week, I wrapped up feeling settled, supported, and excited for what’s ahead, then logged off to spend the afternoon playing with my best buddy... my one-year-old.
The perfect way to end a great first week.
In the AWS Practice, our key focus is Agency and Urgency.
These principles sound simple, but unpacking them really shows how the teams operate:
Agency means the teams own their work end-to-end, from design and deployments, through to optimisation and analysis. You’re trusted to make important decisions, and encouraged to experiment. This principle also supports:
- Trust - the team are trusted, and don’t need to be micromanaged.
- Accountability - the team are free to make decisions, but own the results.
- Empowerment - the team are empowered with the relevant tools and authority to act.
Urgency means the teams prioritise momentum, favouring short feedback loops, measurable outcomes and small iterations. It’s not about rushing, but about being responsive and keeping work visible, it’s disciplined speed. The principle also supports:
- Focus - the team act on what matters, and avoid distractions
- Decisiveness - the team make calls based on the best-available information and don’t wait for perfection.
There’s a lot happening across Leighton’s AWS Practice, with a variety of interesting client and open-source projects in progress, and on the horizon. I’ve already got stuck into some of our Open Source Software (OSS) work!
Cloud Blocks, for example, is an open-source collection of AWS CDK constructs designed to help teams build secure, reusable, and production-ready cloud infrastructure faster - making it easier and quicker for teams to adopt the CDK with confidence.
You can explore more of Leighton's OSS here. Ideas, improvements, and contributions are always welcome!
It feels like I’ve joined Leighton at the perfect time, as we’re hosting the AWS North Community Conference in Newcastle on the 16th October 2025, with some awesome speakers lined up - you don’t want to miss it!
For me, joining a company that invests so much in its people and the tech community is extra special.
If you haven’t already, get your ticket here before they run out!
If what you’ve read here feels like your kind of culture, take a look at the current openings on our careers page.
They say if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Joining the AWS Practice at Leighton, I knew straight away I was in the right one.
In my short time here I can see it’s a place full of people who know their craft inside out. AWS Heroes, Community Builders, ex-AWS-staff, and seasoned professionals are everywhere you look - there is clearly a reason Leighton is trusted by some of the world's biggest brands.
I spent my first day in the Newcastle office - right in the city centre.
I met my line manager in reception, and headed on up to the 12th floor to get my building access sorted. Immediately you notice the great panoramic views of the city. There is a barista on hand for a caffeine fix, and the dog friendly office boosted my mood even higher. Seeing a greyhound chilling out in a cosy bed was the perfect welcome grinning face with smiling eyes
I’m on a fully remote contract, but it’s great to know I have this to come to if the need arises, or the fancy takes me.
During my onboarding, my line manager gave me a lot of his time. Instead of the quick intro and hand off, we spent the day properly getting to know the company and its projects. I got a walkthrough of the systems, the way the team delivers work, and how the AWS Practice fits into the bigger picture at Leighton.
We grabbed dinner (lunch for the southerners) at Greggs and I learned about the vision for the team, where we’re heading, and what “good” looks like. I was also asked more about my own aspirations and where I want to take my career - highlighting that this is a place that listens and doesn’t just direct.
In the time since my first day, I’ve had one-to-one calls with multiple members of the C-Suite and senior management - and I was happy to discover that they’re real people. They’re clearly obsessed with delivering value, but they take the time to talk about life outside of work, and their own aspirations. To me, that openness makes a difference, you feel like you’re being led by humans, not job titles.
One of the first things that stood out to me was the buddy system.
From day one you’re paired with someone who helps you hit the ground running - letting you know about the systems, processes, and who’s who, but it’s more than that.
Your buddy is your go-to person, who genuinely wants you to settle in, ask questions, and succeed.
This makes a huge difference when you’re joining a fast-paced team that’s already moving at speed.
By the end of my first week, I wrapped up feeling settled, supported, and excited for what’s ahead, then logged off to spend the afternoon playing with my best buddy... my one-year-old.
The perfect way to end a great first week.
In the AWS Practice, our key focus is Agency and Urgency.
These principles sound simple, but unpacking them really shows how the teams operate:
Agency means the teams own their work end-to-end, from design and deployments, through to optimisation and analysis. You’re trusted to make important decisions, and encouraged to experiment. This principle also supports:
- Trust - the team are trusted, and don’t need to be micromanaged.
- Accountability - the team are free to make decisions, but own the results.
- Empowerment - the team are empowered with the relevant tools and authority to act.
Urgency means the teams prioritise momentum, favouring short feedback loops, measurable outcomes and small iterations. It’s not about rushing, but about being responsive and keeping work visible, it’s disciplined speed. The principle also supports:
- Focus - the team act on what matters, and avoid distractions
- Decisiveness - the team make calls based on the best-available information and don’t wait for perfection.
There’s a lot happening across Leighton’s AWS Practice, with a variety of interesting client and open-source projects in progress, and on the horizon. I’ve already got stuck into some of our Open Source Software (OSS) work!
Cloud Blocks, for example, is an open-source collection of AWS CDK constructs designed to help teams build secure, reusable, and production-ready cloud infrastructure faster - making it easier and quicker for teams to adopt the CDK with confidence.
You can explore more of Leighton's OSS here. Ideas, improvements, and contributions are always welcome!
It feels like I’ve joined Leighton at the perfect time, as we’re hosting the AWS North Community Conference in Newcastle on the 16th October 2025, with some awesome speakers lined up - you don’t want to miss it!
For me, joining a company that invests so much in its people and the tech community is extra special.
If you haven’t already, get your ticket here before they run out!
If what you’ve read here feels like your kind of culture, take a look at the current openings on our careers page.
They say if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Joining the AWS Practice at Leighton, I knew straight away I was in the right one.
In my short time here I can see it’s a place full of people who know their craft inside out. AWS Heroes, Community Builders, ex-AWS-staff, and seasoned professionals are everywhere you look - there is clearly a reason Leighton is trusted by some of the world's biggest brands.
I spent my first day in the Newcastle office - right in the city centre.
I met my line manager in reception, and headed on up to the 12th floor to get my building access sorted. Immediately you notice the great panoramic views of the city. There is a barista on hand for a caffeine fix, and the dog friendly office boosted my mood even higher. Seeing a greyhound chilling out in a cosy bed was the perfect welcome grinning face with smiling eyes
I’m on a fully remote contract, but it’s great to know I have this to come to if the need arises, or the fancy takes me.
During my onboarding, my line manager gave me a lot of his time. Instead of the quick intro and hand off, we spent the day properly getting to know the company and its projects. I got a walkthrough of the systems, the way the team delivers work, and how the AWS Practice fits into the bigger picture at Leighton.
We grabbed dinner (lunch for the southerners) at Greggs and I learned about the vision for the team, where we’re heading, and what “good” looks like. I was also asked more about my own aspirations and where I want to take my career - highlighting that this is a place that listens and doesn’t just direct.
In the time since my first day, I’ve had one-to-one calls with multiple members of the C-Suite and senior management - and I was happy to discover that they’re real people. They’re clearly obsessed with delivering value, but they take the time to talk about life outside of work, and their own aspirations. To me, that openness makes a difference, you feel like you’re being led by humans, not job titles.
One of the first things that stood out to me was the buddy system.
From day one you’re paired with someone who helps you hit the ground running - letting you know about the systems, processes, and who’s who, but it’s more than that.
Your buddy is your go-to person, who genuinely wants you to settle in, ask questions, and succeed.
This makes a huge difference when you’re joining a fast-paced team that’s already moving at speed.
By the end of my first week, I wrapped up feeling settled, supported, and excited for what’s ahead, then logged off to spend the afternoon playing with my best buddy... my one-year-old.
The perfect way to end a great first week.
In the AWS Practice, our key focus is Agency and Urgency.
These principles sound simple, but unpacking them really shows how the teams operate:
Agency means the teams own their work end-to-end, from design and deployments, through to optimisation and analysis. You’re trusted to make important decisions, and encouraged to experiment. This principle also supports:
- Trust - the team are trusted, and don’t need to be micromanaged.
- Accountability - the team are free to make decisions, but own the results.
- Empowerment - the team are empowered with the relevant tools and authority to act.
Urgency means the teams prioritise momentum, favouring short feedback loops, measurable outcomes and small iterations. It’s not about rushing, but about being responsive and keeping work visible, it’s disciplined speed. The principle also supports:
- Focus - the team act on what matters, and avoid distractions
- Decisiveness - the team make calls based on the best-available information and don’t wait for perfection.
There’s a lot happening across Leighton’s AWS Practice, with a variety of interesting client and open-source projects in progress, and on the horizon. I’ve already got stuck into some of our Open Source Software (OSS) work!
Cloud Blocks, for example, is an open-source collection of AWS CDK constructs designed to help teams build secure, reusable, and production-ready cloud infrastructure faster - making it easier and quicker for teams to adopt the CDK with confidence.
You can explore more of Leighton's OSS here. Ideas, improvements, and contributions are always welcome!
It feels like I’ve joined Leighton at the perfect time, as we’re hosting the AWS North Community Conference in Newcastle on the 16th October 2025, with some awesome speakers lined up - you don’t want to miss it!
For me, joining a company that invests so much in its people and the tech community is extra special.
If you haven’t already, get your ticket here before they run out!
If what you’ve read here feels like your kind of culture, take a look at the current openings on our careers page.
