Job summary Are you a network expert ready to keep systems connected and secure? We're seeking a skilled Network Engineer to design, implement, and maintain our critical network infrastructure. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, love solving technical challenges, and want to play a vital role in maintaining a cutting-edge network, we'd love to have you on board Help us stay connected and drive innovation. In this role, you'll manage everything from routing and switching to network security and troubleshooting, ensuring optimal performance across all levels. You'll work closely with other teams to resolve issues, implement upgrades, and ensure the stability and efficiency of our network. Your expertise in configuring firewalls, optimizing traffic, and diagnosing complex problems will be key to our success. Main duties of the job Your primary responsibility will be to support the deployment and management of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and wireless networks across NCA sites. You will work closely with senior engineers to design network solutions that meet the unique requirements of healthcare environments, ensuring seamless connectivity and optimal performance for clinical and administrative systems. In addition to network deployment, you will provide technical support to diagnose and resolve network issues and incidents promptly. You will utilise network monitoring tools and troubleshooting techniques to identify root causes and implement corrective actions, minimising disruptions to critical healthcare services and maintaining service level agreements (SLAs). As a Senior Network Engineer, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to implement network security measures aimed at protecting sensitive healthcare data and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. You will assist in the implementation of security policies, firewall configurations, and access control mechanisms to mitigate risks and safeguard NHS network infrastructure from cyber threats. About us The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives. As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team. In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance. Date posted 14 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 236-NCA-AC421-24-A Job locations Salford Royal Hospital/Royal Oldham Hospital Stott Lane/Rochdale Road Salford/Oldham M68HD Job description Job responsibilities To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk Job description Job responsibilities To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level in a computing/engineering/technical discipline, or relevant experience with a network related qualification (CCNA) Evidence of continued professional development Desirable CCNP Certified Knowledge Essential Substantial knowledge and experience in data networks and systems Specialist knowledge of Cisco Routers and switches Knowledge of Cisco WAN/LAN topologies & protocols Desirable Knowledge of Software Defined Networking (SDA/ACI) Knowledge of ITIL and/or service desk methodologies & processes NHS and private sector network application knowledge - HSCN Knowledge of Network Monitoring Software: SolarWinds Orion, Cisco Catalyst Centre Experience Essential Minimum 2 years' experience working with Cisco Networks Firewall experience (such as Cisco, Palo-Alto) WiFi experience (Cisco, Aruba etc) Backup and Recovery systems Demonstrable experience of in-depth working within a complex enterprise environment using Cisco wired and wireless technologies Experience of planning and installing LAN/WAN networks Configuration and deployment of Cisco Catalyst Switches e.g 9500/9300/9200 switches and wireless Access Points Configuration and deployment of Site-to-Site VPN and RAVPN technologies Desirable Experience working in Software Defined Network Backups, scheduling and prioritising, data and disaster recovery, and business continuity Skills Essential Effective problem-solving skills and ability to solve complex logical faults in an enterprise environment Ability to deal with staff at appropriate levels within the Digital Service, its Partner Organisations and with service providers, service users, and external professional bodies Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team, able to manage own time and workload Ability to travel within the requirements of the post, including transporting appropriate equipment when required Desirable To be able to plan and implement large scale IT projects in conjunction with IT and non-IT staff Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level in a computing/engineering/technical discipline, or relevant experience with a network related qualification (CCNA) Evidence of continued professional development Desirable CCNP Certified Knowledge Essential Substantial knowledge and experience in data networks and systems Specialist knowledge of Cisco Routers and switches Knowledge of Cisco WAN/LAN topologies & protocols Desirable Knowledge of Software Defined Networking (SDA/ACI) Knowledge of ITIL and/or service desk methodologies & processes NHS and private sector network application knowledge - HSCN Knowledge of Network Monitoring Software: SolarWinds Orion, Cisco Catalyst Centre Experience Essential Minimum 2 years' experience working with Cisco Networks Firewall experience (such as Cisco, Palo-Alto) WiFi experience (Cisco, Aruba etc) Backup and Recovery systems Demonstrable experience of in-depth working within a complex enterprise environment using Cisco wired and wireless technologies Experience of planning and installing LAN/WAN networks Configuration and deployment of Cisco Catalyst Switches e.g 9500/9300/9200 switches and wireless Access Points Configuration and deployment of Site-to-Site VPN and RAVPN technologies Desirable Experience working in Software Defined Network Backups, scheduling and prioritising, data and disaster recovery, and business continuity Skills Essential Effective problem-solving skills and ability to solve complex logical faults in an enterprise environment Ability to deal with staff at appropriate levels within the Digital Service, its Partner Organisations and with service providers, service users, and external professional bodies Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team, able to manage own time and workload Ability to travel within the requirements of the post, including transporting appropriate equipment when required Desirable To be able to plan and implement large scale IT projects in conjunction with IT and non-IT staff Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust Address Salford Royal Hospital/Royal Oldham Hospital Stott Lane/Rochdale Road Salford/Oldham M68HD Employer's website https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)