Freelance Network Engineer | Simplify Networks | Exeter, Devon, UK

Tech Junction Ltd; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Simplify Networks is seeking a Freelance Network Engineer to lead on-site deployments, hardware swaps, and fault diagnosis across Exeter and Devon. You will install and configure routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points, perform cabling and rack/stack tasks, and work with our 24/7 service desk to maintain high-availability networks.

The role is self-employed, project-based, and requires 3+ years in field networking, UK work eligibility, and a proactive, customer-focused approach

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or professional certification in Computer Science, Telecommunications Engineering, Information Technology, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 3+ years of progressive professional experience in field network engineering, IT support, or telecommunications installation.
• Hands-on expertise configuring and troubleshooting routers, switches, firewalls, and enterprise Wi‑Fi systems.
• Proficiency with TCP/IP networking, VLANs, subnetting, and routing protocols.
• Experience with physical site deployments, hardware swaps, and structured cabling verifications.
• Strong diagnostic skills with ping/traceroute and remote management interfaces.
• Self-employed contractor status with flexibility and legal right to work in the United Kingdom, with local travel across Exeter and Devon.

Responsibilities

• Install and configure enterprise routers, switches, firewalls, and Wi‑Fi access points on-site.
• Perform hardware swaps, upgrades, cabling terminations, and rack/stack deployments across client facilities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues on-site, including routing and wireless performance.
• Coordinate with the 24/7 remote service desk and project coordinators before and during each job.
• Review pre-job briefs, network topologies, and client specs to ensure first-visit success.
• Adhere to health and safety guidelines, data security protocols, and installation standards.
• Maintain site documentation, asset inventories, and incident logs.
• Manage contractor availability and deliver high-quality field engineering across Exeter and Devon.

Skills

Routers

Switches

Firewalls

Wi‑Fi

TCP/IP

VLANs

Subnetting

Routing protocols

Diagnostics

Customer-facing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Professional certification

Tools

ServiceNow

Jira

Job description

Position Summary:

Driving flexible on-site network installations, hardware swaps, and field troubleshooting across Exeter and the wider Devon region, Simplify Networks is actively seeking skilled Freelance Network Engineers for ongoing project-based engagements. In this vital field engineering role, you will execute physical deployments, equipment configurations, and rapid fault resolution for enterprise routers, switches, firewalls, and Wi-Fi access systems. Backed by a dedicated 24/7 service desk and comprehensive pre-job briefings for every assignment, you will empower regional enterprise infrastructure to achieve uncompromised connectivity, high availability, and operational resilience. This prestigious contractor opportunity offers flexible scheduling, competitive self-employed remuneration, and professional growth within a premier network services and field engineering enterprise.

Detailed Job Description:

As a Freelance Network Engineer supporting Simplify Networks across Exeter and surrounding Devon locations, you will take full operational and tactical ownership of on-site network deployment, equipment swapping, hardware configuration, and fault diagnosis. Your day-to-day responsibilities include installing and configuring routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points, executing physical cabling and hardware replacements, performing rigorous connectivity testing, and coordinating closely with the 24/7 service desk. You will operate in an independent contractor capacity while maintaining rigorous service level agreements and quality standards across client sites.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute on-site installation, configuration, testing, and commissioning of enterprise routers, switches, firewalls, and Wi-Fi access points.
• Perform hardware swaps, equipment upgrades, structured cabling terminations, and physical rack-and-stack deployments across client facilities.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex network connectivity, routing, switching, and wireless performance issues on site.
• Collaborate seamlessly with the 24/7 remote service desk, technical support teams, and project coordinators before and during every job.
• Review pre-job briefings, network topologies, and client specifications meticulously to ensure flawless execution on first visit.
• Adhere strictly to site health and safety guidelines, data security protocols, and corporate installation standards.
• Maintain detailed site documentation, completion reports, asset inventories, and incident resolution logs.
• Manage your own contractor availability flexibly while delivering high-quality field engineering solutions across Exeter and Devon.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree or professional certification in Computer Science, Telecommunications Engineering, Information Technology, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 3+ years of progressive professional experience in field network engineering, IT support, or telecommunications installation.
• Strong, demonstrable hands-on professional expertise in configuring and troubleshooting routers, switches, firewalls, and enterprise Wi-Fi systems.
• Comprehensive working knowledge and practical proficiency in TCP/IP networking, VLANs, subnetting, and routing protocols.
• Deep practical experience executing physical site deployments, hardware swaps, and structured cabling verifications.
• Solid practical grasp of network diagnostics tools, ping/traceroute utilities, and remote management interfaces.
• Proven self-motivation, strong problem-solving aptitude, meticulous attention to detail, and excellent customer-facing communication skills.
• Mandatory self-employed contractor status, flexibility to choose availability, and legal right to work in the United Kingdom with local travel capability across Exeter and Devon.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Professional networking certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA Network+, or vendor-specific firewall certifications (Fortinet NSE, Palo Alto).
• Prior professional working experience in managed service providers (MSPs), telecommunications carriers, or IT field service enterprises.
• Hands-on familiarity with wireless site surveys, RF spectrum analysis, and enterprise access point controllers (Cisco Meraki, Aruba, Ruckus).
• Experience utilizing mobile field service management and ticketing platforms (ServiceNow, Jira).
• Exposure to cloud-managed networking platforms and automated provisioning tools.

Application Information:

Salary/Rate: Competitive Self-Employed Contractor Rates / Flexible Project Compensation

Deadline: Open until filled (Urgent Exeter / Devon Freelance Network Engineer Opening)

Notice Period: Immediate Availability Preferred

Contract Duration: Freelance / Self-Employed Contractor Engagement (Exeter, Devon, UK)