Consultant Engineer

Sword Group; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible working

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Sword is seeking an experienced network architect to lead complex enterprise network projects from design through deployment in the UK. You will design, configure and deliver routing, switching, firewall, and wireless solutions with a strong emphasis on project delivery and governance.

Responsibilities include producing detailed designs, PoCs, and documentation, while integrating Cisco and Fortinet technologies (including ACI and SD-WAN).

Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise network design and delivery projects.
• Strong knowledge of routing, switching, firewall and wireless technologies.
• CCNP/CCIE level or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience with modern data centre and campus designs (VXLAN, EVPN).
• Ability to produce detailed low-level designs and build documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical projects from design to implementation and own the end-to-end solution.
• Design and deliver enterprise network solutions across routing, switching, firewall, and wireless technologies.
• Produce high-quality low-level designs, implementation plans, migration plans, and documentation.
• Deploy and optimise network infrastructure using Cisco knowledge to CCNP/CCIE level or equivalent.
• Support modern data centre and campus architectures using NX, VXLAN EVPN, and related technologies.
• Design and deliver Fortinet security and networking solutions, including FortiGate, FortiSASE, and FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer.
• Provide hands-on build, PoC, lab validation, and testing to de-risk delivery.

Skills

Technical leadership

Communication

Project delivery

Cisco networking

Fortinet SD-WAN

VXLAN EVPN

Virtualization platforms

Cloud knowledge

Proof-of-concept

Education

CCNP/CCIE certification preferred

Tools

Cisco devices/routers

Fortinet FortiGate/SD-WAN

Palo Alto Panorama

Cisco ACI

FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer

VMware/Nutanix/Hyper-V

Panorama

Job description

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.

About the Role:

• Candidates must have excellent communication skills and be able to lead technical projects from design stage through to implementation and take ownership of the solution end to end
• Design and deliver enterprise network solutions across routing, switching, firewall, and where required wireless technologies, with a strong emphasis on project implementation rather than BAU administration
• Produce high-quality low-level designs, implementation plans, migration plans, and build documentation to support project delivery
• Deploy, configure, test, and optimise network infrastructure using strong Cisco networking knowledge at CCNP/CCIE level or equivalent
• Support the design and implementation of modern network architectures, including traditional three-tier campus designs and spine-leaf or fabric-based architectures using technologies such as Cisco ACI or VXLAN EVPN
• Design, configure and deliver Fortinet security and networking solutions, including FortiGate firewalls and SD-WAN, FortiSwitch, FortiClient, FortiSASE, and centralised management and analytics through FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer
• Apply strong working knowledge of core network protocols and services, including BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, VXLAN, VLANs, HSRP/VRRP, routing policy, multicast, and related enterprise services
• Undertake hands-on build, proof-of-concept, lab validation, and technical testing activity to de-risk delivery and validate designs before deployment into production
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues encountered during project delivery, implementation, migration, or testing phases
• Work closely with project managers, security teams, and customer stakeholders to ensure solutions are aligned to agreed design principles, standards, and governance requirements
• Support change execution through the preparation, rehearsal, and implementation of changes within controlled project and operational environments
• Produce and maintain accurate technical documentation, including configuration baselines, as-built records, network diagrams, test results, and support handover material
• Contribute to technical workshops, design reviews, and customer discussions, with the confidence to explain technical decisions clearly and credibly
• Understand how network infrastructure integrates with wider platform components, including compute and storage environments built on VMware, Nutanix, and Hyper-V

• Strong enterprise networking background with hands-on experience in project delivery, implementation, and design
• Cisco networking expertise to CCNP/CCIE level preferred; with strong relevant experience
• Strong understanding of modern data centre and campus network design patterns
• Experience with Palo Alto firewalls and centralised management through Panorama is desirable
• Ability to produce detailed technical and low-level design documentation to a high standard
• Experience of delivering technical solutions in structured and governed environments
• Experience with Fortinet Security Fabric technologies, including FortiGate, FortiSwitch, FortiSASE, FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills across complex network environments
• Comfortable working directly with customers, including large enterprise or blue-chip organisations
• Experience in regulated or critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, utilities, oil and gas, defence, or OT environments would be beneficial
• Cisco ISR and ASR Routers
• Datacentre technologies, Cisco Nexus, VXLAN, VPC's & End User Compute
• Campus Switching Catalyst 9XXX series switches, Stackwise virtual
• IPSec VPN's & Cisco SDWAN
• Cisco Secure firewall / FTD
• SASE solutions, Palo Alto Prisma Access, Cisco Secure Connect
• Cisco Wireless - WLC's (C9800 series)
• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
• Experiences with Azure and AWS cloud environments
• Cisco Meraki Wireless, Security and Switching technologies
• Cisco ACI - Application Centric Infrastructure HP and Aruba Platforms
• DevNet Principles, Automation, Ansible, Python

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success.We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.