Senior Network Engineer

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CBD location nearby

Flexible working arrangements

Fitness Passport

Employee assistance program

Annual flu vaccinations

Salary packaging options

Job summary

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to lead design, implementation and optimisation of our hybrid, multi-cloud network infrastructure across on‑premises data centres, campus networks, AWS, Azure and remote sites. You will collaborate with architects, MSPs and vendors to drive secure, resilient solutions that support digital transformation.

You will influence infrastructure strategy, oversee major initiatives, and ensure cyber security practices align

Qualifications

• Experience designing, implementing and supporting enterprise network infrastructure across on-prem and cloud.
• Strong AWS experience with hybrid cloud; Azure exposure is a plus.
• Extensive networking knowledge including wireless, campus networking, SD-WAN, Direct Connect and ExpressRoute.
• Solid background in Windows and Linux servers, virtualization (VMware/Hyper-V), storage, backup and DR.
• Experience managing incidents and working with vendors/MSPs.
• Knowledge of cloud security principles and controls for monitoring and compliance.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in NSW Government or regulated environments is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing secure network infrastructure across cloud and on‑prem environments.
• Supporting network/infrastructure projects, evaluating emerging technologies.
• Providing expert technical advice to stakeholders and contributing to solution design.
• Monitoring network performance, capacity, security and reliability to meet business needs.
• Leading incident and problem management with vendors/MSPs to resolve issues.
• Automating provisioning, deployment and monitoring to improve efficiency.
• Promoting cyber security best practices per NSW Government policies.
• Contributing to continuous improvement of hybrid/multi-cloud infra.

Skills

Enterprise networking

AWS

Hybrid cloud

BGP/OSPF/VLANs

Firewalls

Zero Trust

Windows/Linux

VMware/Hyper-V

Security & compliance

Vendor management

Education

Tertiary IT qualifications

Tools

Networking tools

Cloud management

Job description

• Full-time, Salary: $133,348 to $146,945 p.a. plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and leave loading
• Temporary role up to 30 June 2028
• Close to Wynyard station & hybrid work arrangements available
• Contact for enquiries: Stan Sidik on [e-mail]

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), we are dedicated to carrying out meaningful work that drives improvements and elevates student achievement across NSW, now and into the future.

We accomplish this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

NESA is aunique organisation in NSW (of around740FTE staff) with significant state-wide impact, visit our website to learn more about the important work we do.

About the role

Are you an experienced infrastructure professional who can confidently bridge traditional on-premises environments with modern cloud platforms?

We are seeking a Senior Network Engineer to provide high-level technical leadership across NESA’s network and communications infrastructure, supporting a complex hybrid environment spanning on-premises data centres, campus networks, AWS, Azure and remote site connectivity. Working closely with architects, solution designers, managed service providers and vendors, you will play a key role in designing, implementing and optimising secure, resilient and scalable infrastructure solutions that enable NESA’s digital transformation agenda.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across a broad and evolving technology landscape, influence infrastructure strategy, contribute to major technology initiatives and help shape the future of cloud and network services within a highly regulated public sector environment.

On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:

• Designing and implementing secure network infrastructure solutions across cloud and on-premises environments.
• Supporting the delivery of network and infrastructure projects, including research and evaluation of emerging technologies.
• Providing expert technical advice to stakeholders and contributing to solution design activities.
• Monitoring network performance, capacity, security and reliability to ensure services meet business needs.
• Leading incident and problem management activities and working with vendors and MSPs to resolve complex issues.
• Automating infrastructure provisioning, deployment and monitoring processes to improve operational efficiency.
• Promoting and embedding cyber security best practices in line with NSW Government policies and standards.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of NESA’s hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure environment

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and supporting enterprise network infrastructure across both on-premises and cloud environments.
• Strong practical experience with AWS and hybrid cloud environments, with exposure to Azure highly regarded.
• Extensive experience across networking technologies including wireless, campus networking, SD-WAN, AWS Direct Connect and Azure ExpressRoute.
• Strong foundations in infrastructure technologies such as Windows and Linux servers, virtualisation platforms (VMware and/or Hyper-V), networking, storage, backup and disaster recovery.
• Experience managing incidents, troubleshooting complex infrastructure issues and working collaboratively with vendors and managed service providers.
• Sound knowledge of cloud security principles and experience applying security, monitoring and compliance controls in practice.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience working within NSW Government or similarly regulated environments will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated experience in enterprise networking, including routing and switching (e.g. BGP, OSPF, VLANs)
• Proven experience in network security, including firewalls, segmentation, and Zero Trust principle.
• Tertiary qualifications in information technology and/or industry experience in related field.

Note: A current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment is required before commencing in this role. It is not required at the application stage. The cost of the WWCC clearance is the responsibility of the successful applicant.

We invite you to download the role description for additional information on the position.

At NESA you will benefit from:

• An organisation where your contribution has a big impact.
• An enviable CBD location (all modes of transport nearby, and excellent coffee and eateries) with refurbished offices.
• Flexible working arrangements and generous leave entitlements.
• Access to discounted health and fitness memberships via Fitness Passport, an employee assistance program and annual flu vaccinations.
• Salary packaging options.
• Working in a purpose driven and ethical organisation with committed colleagues.

Ready to join us?

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

All children and young people have the right to be respected, feel safe, be safe, and protected from harm. NESA is committed to child safety and child safe practices underpinning our purpose of helping children and young people leave school, ready to take advantage of life’s opportunities and rise to its inevitable challenges.

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community .

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles