Contract

Network Engineer

Ref: BBBH66949_1779875415

Warrington, Cheshire

Network Engineer

Whitehall Resources require a Network Engineer to work with a key client on a 4 month initial contract.

*This role will require on site work in Warrington for 3 days per week.

*Inside IR35.

Network Engineer

Responsible for design, implementation, optimisation, performance, availability and the lifecycle management of the data network, associated communications and technologies underpinning current and future IT strategy. Services include, but not limited to design authority, networking, data communications, routing devices, supporting infrastructure including access, management and monitoring tools.

Main responsibilities:
* Ensure the networking infrastructure and associated technologies are reliable and their availability 24/7/365, where applicable.
* Responsible for ensuring performance and optimisation of the network.
* Subject matter expert for complex design, configurations, implementations and operational requirements.
* Responsible for the review, approving, maintaining build and configuration, and hardening standards relating to upgrades, new technologies or project delivery.
* Engage with the wider digital services including IT security, business and other providers/stakeholders to ensure latest policies, patterns and standards are enforced and maintained.
* Produce high quality design, maintain and support documentation, operational processes and domain knowledge to eliminate single points of failure.
* Ensure all network services and controls comply with regulatory and legal requirements like GDPR, NIS directive where applicable.
* Ensure effective security developed and maintained within the network infrastructure which meets current and foreseeable business needs in accordance with policies and industry security best practice.
* Ensure all configuration is maintained, up to date and securely stored and backed up.
* Ensure all hardware/software/firmware products, software options/modules and tools are approved for deployment and fully licensed prior to installation.
* Escalate risks or issues to management and raise risk on the digital services IT risk register in a timely manner.
* Facilitate a culture of proactive collaboration within the team, with the wider digital services and business.
* Contribute to continuous improvements in proactive and preventative monitoring of services.
* Maintain a dashboard to measure and report operational KPIs such as patching, capacity and utilisation.
* Identify and initiate service improvements and efficiencies using automation.
* Ensure all deployments and services are document, maintained and stored in a content repository.
* Ensure standard operating procedures are documented, regularly reviewed and updated as required.
* Ensure accurate records of all managed and supported assets are kept by the network service team.
* Provide proactive day to day monitoring and housekeeping tasks, day to day business as usual support.
* Ensure software lifecycle management, upgrade roadmaps, regular patching schedule to ensure systems are maintained at appropriate version and adhere to standards.
* Create and maintain a technology lifecycle roadmap that capture end of support life and replacement.
* Act as technical escalation for the Network Operations Centre, including out of hours major Incidents.
* Act as technical lead for all Major Incidents
* Diagnose and troubleshoot complex network faults and incidents.
* Ownership and management of the current or future Network Management toolset (e.g. HP NNMi/HP NA).
* Act as technical lead when peer reviewing internal and external work requirements.
* Provide guidance and support to internal/external technical support teams for wider infrastructure issues.
* Adherence to Industry standard best practice guidelines.
* Planning and co-ordinating change related activities.
* Working with and management of 3rd party supplier, when required.
* Liaise with third party suppliers to resolve network or related issues as required.
* Review and fulfil requests for ad hoc non-routine network design changes and configuration.
* Support the culture of continuous improvement by highlighting any process non-conformities and implement relevant corrective action to prevent further reoccurrences.
* Responsible for the evaluation of new networking, related communications technologies and tools based on either strategic or project requirements.
* Contribute to out-of-hours support rota for specific database related incidents.
* Provide out-of-hours support for changes, upgrades, migrations and go-live of key IT systems.
* Provide advice, mentoring, guidance and assistance to junior team members for the relevant technologies and to maintain standards.
* Contribute to updating and maintaining a team knowledge database.
* Ensure services are delivered, maintained and supported in line with ITIL
* Undertake training as and when required and be receptive to it.
* Self-driven to maintain abreast and informed on current and related emerging technologies both on-premises and cloud.

Skills, qualifications and experience:
* Expert knowledge and experience with network design, deployment and configuration, both logical and physical.
* Knowledge and solid understanding of network/cyber security.
* Experienced Capacity planning and utilisation reporting.
* Experience with deployment of high-availability network architectures.
* Experience with diagnostic and troubleshooting tools like but not limited to GigaStor, Wireshark, etc.
* Demonstrate methodical and analytical approach in troubleshooting, problem solving and remediation with a sense of ownership.
* Expert understanding of security best practices, including principle of least privileges and access control.
* Good understanding and experience with scripting languages.
* Experience in TLS/SSL/PKI concepts, certificate deployment and renewal.
* Maintain relationships and work effectively as part of a multi-disciplined team.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to both technical and non-technical audiences including peers, managers and customers.
* Experience in working in a Network Operations Centre (NoC).
* CCNP or equivalent experience.
* Experience with Cisco Nexus 2K/3K/5K/6K, Catalyst 6500/4500/3850/9500/9300, Juniper EX2200/4200.
* Expert level Routing and Switching, Troubleshooting, OSPF, BGP, Redistribution, Packet Analysis, STP, VLANs, SVIs, vPC, VSS, Stackwise, Wi-Fi, LAN and WAN technologies
* Understanding and knowledge of Load Balancers (F5), Firewalls (Fortinet), VPNs, Proxies (Websense), MPLS, VRF, QoS, Class of Service.
* ITIL processes and standards and preferably have attained at least ITIL Foundation Level.
* Educated to degree level in an IT discipline, or equivalent

All of our opportunities require that applicants are eligible to work in the specified country/location, unless otherwise stated in the job description.

Whitehall Resources are an equal opportunities employer who value a diverse and inclusive working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics.