CNI Network Engineer

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A major energy provider in the UK is seeking a CNI Network Engineer to design and support secure, high-performance network platforms. The role is based in Warwick with a hybrid work model. Key responsibilities include troubleshooting complex network issues, collaborating with security teams, and optimizing network performance across essential services. The position requires strong hands-on expertise with networking technologies and offers a competitive salary of £48,000 - £57,000 along with various benefits, including a pension scheme and performance-based bonuses.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Contributory pension scheme

Performance-based bonuses

Flexible benefits

Access to digital health services

Work + Family Space support

Qualifications

• Hands on expertise with VMware NSX and VMware VCF.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, and switching.
• Advanced skills in BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP.

Responsibilities

• Design and support high performance LAN, WAN, WLAN, and data centre networks.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues.
• Collaborate with security teams to enforce access controls.

Skills

Hands on expertise with VMware NSX and VMware VCF

Strong networking fundamentals

Advanced routing & switching expertise

Security focused mindset

Exceptional troubleshooting skills

Clear, confident communication

Tools

Cisco networking technologies

Job description

About us

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid provides the environment that allows us to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a CNI Network Engineer, and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring a CNI Network Engineer for our CNI Operations team. This role is based at our Warwick office, with hybrid working (1 day per week on site). You'll play a key role in designing, developing and supporting secure, scalable network platforms that underpin critical operations across our enterprise.

About The Role

Step into a role where your work truly keeps the country connected. As a CNI Network Engineer within National Grid's CNI Operations Team, you'll be at the heart of designing, implementing and optimising the critical networks that power our most essential services.

You'll take ownership of a diverse and high impact technical landscape - from LAN and WAN to WLAN and data centre networks - ensuring our platforms deliver the reliable, secure and low latency connectivity that our organisation depends on every single day.

If you love getting hands on with cutting edge network technology, thrive on solving complex technical challenges, and want to play a key role in shaping and improving our network services, this is the place for you. You'll contribute to major network projects, drive continuous improvements, and help strengthen the resilience of systems that keep society moving.

Join us and make a real difference on a national scale.

What You'll Do

As a CNI Network Engineer, you'll play a key role in shaping, securing and optimising the networks that keep our critical operations running. Your work will have real impact every day. You will:

• Design, build and support high performance LAN, WAN, WLAN and data centre networks that deliver fast, secure and reliable connectivity.
• Work hands on with core networking technologies, including routing, switching, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs and advanced protocols such as BGP and OSPF.
• Optimise and strengthen our infrastructure by performing upgrades, installing patches and enhancing stability, resilience and performance.
• Configure and maintain network hardware and security tools, including routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs and load balancers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues, restoring services quickly and preventing future incidents.
• Collaborate with security teams and architects to enforce strong access controls, segmentation and compliance standards.
• Monitor network performance, proactively identifying improvements and keeping our environments running smoothly.
• Contribute to major projects and network enhancements, bringing fresh ideas, new technologies and continuous improvement to the team.

About You

You're a network engineer who thrives in complex, high impact environments. You enjoy solving challenging technical problems, improving network performance, and contributing to the resilience of critical national infrastructure. You bring strong hands on experience, a proactive mindset and the confidence to collaborate across teams.

Here’s what you’ll bring:

• Hands on expertise with VMware NSX and VMware VCF - you understand software defined networking, micro segmentation, virtual network design and private cloud networking, and can apply NSX in real world, high security environments.
• Strong networking fundamentals - fluent in TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, switching and IP addressing, with experience across Cisco networking technologies to deliver secure and scalable solutions.
• Advanced routing & switching expertise - including BGP, OSPF and EIGRP, with the ability to support multi site, high availability environments.
• Security focused mindset - familiar with firewalls, VPNs, wireless/WLAN, MPLS/SD WAN and modern network security practices.
• Exceptional troubleshooting skills - able to diagnose and resolve complex issues methodically, even under pressure during major incidents.
• Clear, confident communication - capable of translating complex technical concepts for non technical stakeholders.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive Salary: circa £48,000 - £57,000 per annum (based on capability, and experience)
• Additional benefits:
  • A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%
  • You will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance
  • Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes
  • Access to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness
  • Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare
• More information:
  • This role is offered on a full time basis.
  • This role will require National Security Vetting (NSV) checks.
  • We are also offering hybrid /flexible working where travel to the office will be as per business need- 1 day per week on average. Base location for this role will be NG House, Warwick.
  • This role closes on 25th February however we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible.
• Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.