IT Infrastructure Network Engineer

South East Water UK; Snodland; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Pension scheme

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a hands-on Network Engineer for a field-based, 12-month fixed-term contract across the South East region. You will deploy and upgrade network security hardware and WAN infrastructure while traveling between remote processing sites with a two-person team.

You will install cabinets, patch cables, manage power and support complex routing and security issues on-site. A full driving license and willingness to travel are essential.

Qualifications

• CCNA, CompTIA or equivalent certification/training.
• Proven field experience with physical network installations and cabling.
• Solid routing, switching and security protocol knowledge.
• Comfort working with low-voltage DC power systems and security-first mindset.
• Strong communication to explain technical solutions to non-technical users.
• Experience with Google Workspace/M365 and cloud infra (GCP/AWS/Azure)/ITIL is a plus.

Responsibilities

• On-site project execution across regional sites, installing, maintaining and decommissioning equipment.
• Mounting cabinets, switches and routers; implementing structured cabling solutions.
• Work with 230V AC and 24V/48V DC power systems onsite.
• Provide 2nd/3rd line support for routing, switching and security issues.
• Collaborate with site partner to execute dual-project deployment (NIS and WAN upgrade).

Skills

CCNA/CompTIA

Field experience

Routing & Switching

Security protocols

Low-voltage power

Clear communication

Cloud/ITIL familiarity

Education

Certification/training equivalent

Tools

Google Workspace/M365

GCP/AWS/Azure

Job description

Summary:

Are you a hands-on Network Engineer who thrives on the open road rather than being chained to a desk? Do you love the satisfaction of physical deployments, complex problem-solving, and seeing the direct impact of your work?

We are launching a major, high-priority infrastructure overhaul across our remote sites, and we need a skilled engineer to grab their tools, partner up, and lead the charge from the front lines.

Contract Details:

• Duration: 12 months fixed term, with potential for extension.

• Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Location & Setup:

• This is a field-based role, covering our entire South East geographical area.

• You will be part of dynamic, collaborative teams of two.

The Mission: Dual-Project Deployment

You won’t just be maintaining the network; you will be actively transforming it. Working in a team of two, you will hit our various geographical sites to run two critical projects simultaneously:

• The NIS Project (Network Security): Install and deploy critical "box" network security hardware to safeguard our infrastructure against modern threats.

• The WAN Upgrade: Rip out and upgrade legacy systems to modern Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure, preventing critical telephone connectivity drops and ensuring our remote treatment and process sites stay online 24/7.

What A Typical Week Looks Like

This is a highly active, 37-hour-a-week field role where no two days are the same. Your main focus will be out on-site doing the heavy lifting of network engineering:

• On-Site Project Execution: Traveling across our regional estate to install, maintain, and decommission physical equipment at data centers and remote processing sites.

• Hardware & Cabling: Mounting network cabinets, switches, and routers (yes, you'll be using power tools!), and implementing new structured cabling solutions (Ethernet, Cat5e, Cat6a, and single/multimode fiber).

• Power & Protocol Management: Working hands-on with a mix of 230v AC, as well as 24v and 48v DC power systems used by low-voltage routers, switches, and sensors.

• High-Level Support: Backing up the IT Helpdesk by providing expert 2nd and 3rd line support to troubleshoot complex routing, switching, and security issues while on or off-site.

What You’ll Bring:

• The Technical Foundations: CCNA, CompTIA, or equivalent certification/formal training.

• Field Experience: Proven experience with physical network installations, patching, and enclosure mounting.

• Protocol Expertise: Solid knowledge of routing, switching, and network security protocols.

• Versatility: Comfort working with low-voltage DC power systems and a "security-first" mentality.

• Communication Skills: The ability to collaborate closely with your site partner and explain technical solutions clearly to non-technical end-users.

• IT Savvy: Experience with Google Workspace/M365, cloud infrastructure (GCP/Azure/AWS), ITIL frameworks, or a background working within the water/utilities sector.

Note: A full driving license and a willingness to travel across our regional sites are absolute essentials for this role.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.

• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.

• Paid volunteering days.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Health cash plan.

• Life assurance.

• Wellbeing related benefits.

What can you expect from your recruitment?

• It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water.

• Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

• South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.

Compensation package:

Up to £50,000 + company van, + standby costs