The demand for Modern Workplace Engineers has increased significantly over the past year.
What ‘good’ looks like is definitely changing:
- Solid Microsoft 365 experience is now the baseline
- Strong hands-on capability across Intune, Entra ID and endpoint management is expected
- Security first thinking is becoming non-negotiable, not an add-on
- PowerShell and automation skills are increasingly essential for managing scale
- Experience delivering real rollouts and migrations carries far more weight than just support
Where it gets more interesting is around newer capability:
- Practical experience with Microsoft Copilot is starting to stand out, especially where candidates have been involved in rollout and adoption
- Strong understanding of Microsoft Azure, particularly around identity, device compliance and integration with M365
- Awareness of how AI tools fit into the workplace, not just technically but from a productivity and governance perspective
- Exposure to zero trust principles and modern security tooling
- Ability to connect identity, security, cloud and end-user experience into one joined-up environment
It is no longer just about keeping the lights on. The strongest Modern Workplace Engineers are improving how people use technology day to day, driving adoption of new tools rather than just deploying them, and balancing user experience with security while taking real ownership of change.
We are supporting a number of organisations building out their capability in this space, and the message is consistent. The bar has moved.
Candidates who can demonstrate real impact across M365, Azure, automation and AI are the ones standing out.