Job Title: Senior Network Engineer (Contractor)
Location: Southern England
Rate: £450 - £550 per day (Outside IR35)
Contract Length: 6-12 months (with potential for extension)
Employer: University (Anonymous)
Job Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to join a dynamic IT team at a leading university on the Southern Coast of England (90 minutes from London). This role is a contract position, focusing on the implementation, enhancement, and maintenance of the university’s network infrastructure. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring the university’s networks are secure, resilient, and scalable, supporting both administrative operations and academic needs.
Key Responsibilities:
* Design, implement, and manage robust and scalable network solutions across campus environments.
* Maintain and optimize LAN, WAN, WLAN, and data center networks to ensure seamless connectivity.
* Perform network upgrades, expansions, and migrations with minimal disruption to university services.
* Troubleshoot complex network issues, ensuring high availability and performance.
* Collaborate with IT teams and stakeholders to understand networking requirements for academic, research, and operational projects.
* Develop and enforce network security protocols and procedures to protect sensitive university data.
* Oversee the installation, configuration, and testing of network hardware, including switches, routers, and firewalls.
* Monitor network performance and provide regular reports on network health and capacity.
* Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for network architecture, procedures, and policies.
* Mentor junior network engineers and provide technical leadership within the IT department.
Skills and Experience Required:
* Proven experience as a Senior Network Engineer, ideally within the higher education or public sector.
* Strong expertise in LAN/WAN design, wireless networks, and data center networking.
* Hands-on experience with Cisco, Juniper, and other leading networking technologies.
* Solid understanding of network security principles, firewalls, and VPNs.
* Experience with cloud networking solutions and integration (e.g., AWS, Azure).
* Familiarity with network monitoring tools and troubleshooting utilities.
* Certifications such as CCNP, JNCIP, or equivalent are highly desirable.
* Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
* Experience working on large-scale campus networks or complex multi-site environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience in higher education or large public sector organizations.
* Knowledge of ITIL practices and service management frameworks.
* Familiarity with SDN (Software Defined Networking) and emerging networking technologies.
* Experience with VoIP, IP telephony, and multimedia network integrations.
Additional Information:
* This role requires on-site presence with some flexibility for remote work.
* The contract is expected to start in January, with interviews conducted on a rolling basis.
If you are a highly skilled network engineer looking for your next challenge in a stimulating university environment, we encourage you to apply.