Job Title: 1st Line Support Engineer
Location: Preston - 5 days per week
Salary: £28,000
Benefits: 25 days plus bank holidays
About the Role:
We are seeking a highly skilled Tier 1 Service Engineer to join our team. This role plays a crucial part in resolving escalated IT issues while providing advanced technical support to clients. Working in a fast-paced Managed Service Provider (MSP) environment, you will be responsible for diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving complex issues related to infrastructure, networking, servers, and business-critical applications. This position requires in-depth technical expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and a collaborative approach, ensuring efficient and effective IT solutions for clients.
Key Responsibilities:
- Technical Support & Troubleshooting: Manage and resolve tickets from Tier 1, covering servers, networking, and business-critical applications. Diagnose and resolve issues involving Windows Server, Office 365, Exchange, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and cloud platforms. Provide remote and on-site troubleshooting. Support and implement network infrastructure changes, including routers, switches, firewalls, and VPNs.
- Incident & Problem Management: Own and manage complex incidents from initial diagnosis to full resolution. Follow ITIL-aligned processes for escalation and management of incidents. Participate in an on-call rota for out-of-hours incident response.
- System Maintenance & Monitoring: Perform regular system health checks on client infrastructure, including servers, networks, and backups. Implement preventive maintenance plans and updates to minimize downtime. Proactively monitor system alerts and mitigate risks.
- Project Support: Assist with IT infrastructure projects, such as server upgrades, cloud migrations, and network improvements. Support the onboarding of new clients, including hardware and software configuration.
- Client Management & Communication: Maintain clear and professional communication with clients regarding ticket progress and resolutions. Ensure high customer satisfaction through quality service delivery.
- Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Maintain and update technical documentation, SOPs, and knowledge base articles. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Tier 1 engineers.
- Collaboration & Development: Work closely with Tier 3 engineers to resolve advanced issues and contribute to long-term IT strategy. Stay updated with emerging technologies and participate in training to develop skills.
Key Skills & Experience:
- Strong experience with Windows Server (2012, 2016, 2019), Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy.
- Advanced knowledge of Office 365 administration (Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive).
- Experience in virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V).
- Networking expertise: TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, firewalls (SonicWall, Cisco, Fortinet), VPNs.
- Experience with Microsoft Azure and/or AWS.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills, able to explain technical concepts clearly.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple incidents efficiently.
- Experience with IT security best practices, firewall configurations, MFA, and anti-virus solutions.
- Knowledge of PowerShell scripting and automation tools.
- Familiarity with ITSM platforms (e.g., HaloPSA, ConnectWise, Autotask).
- Awareness of compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001).
- Relevant industry certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, MCSA, CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, ITIL Foundation.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic MSP environment with a variety of projects and clients.
- Career progression into specialised roles (Networking, Cybersecurity, Cloud Infrastructure) or Tier 3 Engineering.
- Training and development opportunities to enhance your technical expertise.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
If you are passionate about IT, have a strong technical background, and are looking to take the next step in your career, we want to hear from you! Apply today.