Specialist Network Engineer (Tsf3)

Australian Federal Police; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Federal Police is seeking a Technical Specialist Network Engineer to design and implement enterprise network solutions across on-premises and cloud environments. You will work with cyber security experts and project teams to ensure secure, scalable connectivity that supports AFP operations.

Candidates should have advanced routing, switching and firewall knowledge (Cisco, Fortinet, Aruba), the ability to obtain Negative Vetting 1 clearance, and strong stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• Master's degree or direct relevant experience; specialist skills and demonstrated proficiency in a relevant field or eight years' experience within the field.
• Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or ability to obtain one.
• Proven experience in implementing and managing complex enterprise network architectures.
• Advanced technical knowledge of routing, switching and firewall technologies (e.g. Cisco, Fortinet, Aruba).
• Demonstrated sound judgement and decision-making in high-impact technical environments.
• Excellent stakeholder, communication and negotiation skills.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement robust, future-ready network solutions; collaborate with internal stakeholders and cyber security experts to align with standards.
• Provide escalation for routing, switching and backbone resilience; manage advanced protocols.
• Design and manage WLAN with high-density coverage and secure mobility integration.
• Support cloud and hybrid networking; ensure seamless, secure connectivity and unified management.
• Specialist in Zero Trust and identity-based networking; oversee NAC, SASE and complex authentication issues.
• Lead solution assurance, technical reviews, and ongoing team capability development.
• Maintain documentation, diagrams, policies and procedures; report on performance and risk.
• Lead root cause analysis and post-incident reviews to improve future network designs.

Skills

Routing

Switching

Firewall technologies

Cisco

Fortinet

Aruba

Zero Trust

NAC

SASE

Stakeholder communication

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Cisco

Fortinet

Aruba

Job description

Job Overview

Band: Technical Specialist - Band 3 ($179,919.00 - $198,686.00)
Employment type: Ongoing Full time
Location: ACT; NSW; QLD; VIC

What is the role?

The Technology Operations & Chief Information Officer Command (TOCIO) is a trusted frontline partner that enables policing through problem solving and technical expertise. The Command delivers corporate application, ICT end-to-end solutions, advice, cyber security and infrastructure that underpin AFP activities. The Enterprise Technology & Architecture Branch seeks a Technical Specialist Network Engineer to support the development and integration of core networking capabilities across on-premise and cloud environments, ensuring the enterprise network remains secure, adaptable and aligned with strategic and operational needs.

What will you do?

Play a senior role in defining and implementing robust, future-ready network solutions; work proactively with internal stakeholders, project teams and cyber security experts to ensure the enterprise network supports business priorities while complying with technical and governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Network Infrastructure
• Provide escalation for routing and switching; manage backbone resilience and advanced protocols.
• Wireless (WLAN)
• Provide escalation for complex wireless issues; manage advanced design, roaming, high-density coverage and secure mobility integration.
• Cloud and Hybrid Networking
• Provide advanced support for cloud and data centre networking; resolve escalated hybrid connectivity and segmentation issues.
• Collaborate with cloud infrastructure teams to ensure seamless, secure connectivity and unified management.
• Security Integration
• Specialist in Zero Trust and identity-based networking; manage NAC, SASE and complex authentication issues.
• Escalation for advanced firewall, segmentation and security incidents.
• Focus on advanced monitoring and analytics; manage telemetry pipelines, capacity forecasting and escalated performance issues.
• Work closely with cyber security teams to support compliance, threat mitigation and incident response readiness.
• Mentorship and Capacity Uplift
• Actively share knowledge and coach other team members, fostering professional growth and cross-skilling.
• Lead solution assurance, technical reviews and ongoing team capability development.
• Documentation and Reporting
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, diagrams, policies and procedures.
• Provide regular reports on network performance, resilience, risk posture and improvement opportunities.
• Troubleshooting and Operational Support
• Provide high-level support for complex network issues, particularly those requiring architectural insight or impacting business-critical systems.
• Lead root cause analysis and contribute to post-incident reviews to integrate long- term solutions into future network designs and standards.

Qualifications

• Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• Master's degree or direct relevant experience; specialist skills and demonstrated proficiency in a relevant field or eight years' experience within the field.
• Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or ability to obtain one.
• Proven experience in implementing and managing complex enterprise network architectures.
• Advanced technical knowledge of routing, switching and firewall technologies (e.g. Cisco, Fortinet, Aruba).
• Demonstrated sound judgement and decision-making in high-impact technical environments.
• Excellent stakeholder, communication and negotiation skills.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Skills and Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification or certifications (e.g. CCNP/CCIE, Azure/AWS networking).
• Experience leading strategic network transformations or ICT integration projects.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture and solution assurance practices.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance and security frameworks (e.g. ISM, PSPF, ISO 27001).

Additional Information

• Domestic and international travel may be required depending on AFP business needs.
• Roles can be worked from any of the advertised locations in Australia, with reporting to management in Canberra.

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge and Experience
• Judgement and Risk
• Independence and Decision Making
• Relationships
• Professional Leadership
• Research and Innovation
• Project Management
• Additional stakeholder emphasis

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We're all individuals and we love that. At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. We encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.