Senior Network Engineer

The Company

Sopra Steria’s Aerospace, Defence and Security business designs, develops and deploys digital solutions to Central Government clients. The work we do makes a real difference to the client’s goal of National Security, and we operate in a unique and privileged environment. We are given time for professional development activities, and we coach and mentor our colleagues, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. We foster a culture in which employees feel valued and supported and have pride in their work for the customer, delivering outstanding rates of customer satisfaction in the UK’s most complex safety- and security-critical markets.

Our technical specialists deploy systems running many of the major operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and multiple Linux distros. We also provide Messaging and Collaboration systems and support, Application packaging and deployment, along with supporting Infrastructure and Cloud services and support. Our time can be split between our services and project work, so we have the chance to be multi-disciplined and access to a range of technologies.

The Day Job

The successful candidate will take on networking responsibilities for our diverse MoD customer as a member of the Connectivity Team ensuring that the teams SLA’s and OLA’s are met across the client’s estate on a daily basis and in line with industry standard best practices.

They will have previous experience in maintaining an enterprise level estate using Cisco related products, both physical and virtual, and will be key in the support of our client’s infrastructure whilst providing technical support in the delivery of projects. It is important that the candidate either holds or is prepared to gain CCNP alongside the knowledge and experience of using Cisco technologies including Software Defined Networking fundamentals.

The successful candidate will be expected to take on responsibility for performing network operational duties, including reporting, troubleshooting, configuration and capacity management of network equipment employed across all of the client’s networks ensuring that the estate remains compliant for security and service patches. The successful candidate will also be responsible for liaising with third parties and require the skill and knowledge to provide Root Cause Analysis as part of the clients fault resolution process.

Key Responsibilities

• Configuration of the clients Software Defined Network Infrastructure (including but not limited to Routing, Switching, Firewall, Unified Communications, Storage and
• Wireless technologies) across all networks.
• Act as an SME for SDN engagements built around Cisco ACI
• Responsible for ensuring the Major Incident Management Process is followed for network outages.
• Undertake and lead ’Root Cause Analysis’ investigations into network faults, security and performance issues.
• Liaise and assist the network architect and solutions team with the implementation of projects into Service and Support.
• Provide 2nd line support to the Service Desk for network fault progression (major faults and performance issues)
• Liaise with Third Party service providers for WAN provision and maintenance
• There may be a requirement for ad-hoc out of hours working (weekday and weekend) in support of the client’s network and delivery of projects.
• The candidate should accommodate flexible working hours and be willing to travel to other sites where necessary

Essential Skills

• CCNP level candidates
• High level of in depth knowledge and experience using Cisco technologies – to include but not exclusively;
• Strong Routing/Switching skills Both IOS/NX-OS.
• Strong Firewall skills – Cisco ASA.
• Exposure to a multitude of networks both physical and virtual.
• Full UK Driving License as travel to other sites will be required.
• Must be eligible for DV Clearance.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in tooling such as Cisco Prime, Ops View (or similar).
• SDN experience
• ACI
• Experience using Python as a Scripting Language
• Experience with VMWare and other server virtualisation technologies
• Experience with Cloud based technologies
• Knowledge of Git Hub software development and version control
• Knowledge of CI/CD methodology.
• Knowledge of Ansible application-deployment tools
• Knowledge of Jenkins automation service

If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!

Full time permanent
Location Salisbury
Security Clearance Level You would be required to go through SC and DV clearance process
Internal Recruiter Josh
Salary £40/45k+
Benefits 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund

Although this role is advertised as full-time, we support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.