Lead Network Engineer

Sopra Steria Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology service provider is seeking a Lead Network Engineer to design and deploy multi-site networking solutions. This full-time position involves working hands-on with enterprise hardware while providing technical leadership in a collaborative team. The ideal candidate should have strong experience managing network platforms and a solid understanding of fault-tolerant solutions. This role offers a salary between £60,000 to £75,000, along with benefits such as a car allowance, annual leave, and private medical insurance.

Benefits

£5,400 car allowance

25 days annual leave with option to buy additional days

Private medical

Life assurance

Pension

Generous flexible benefits fund

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience managing and configuring network platforms.
• Expertise in fault-tolerant networking solutions.
• Solid understanding of enterprise hardware installation and resilient design principles.

Responsibilities

• Designing and deploying multi-site enterprise hardware platforms using COTS networking.
• Creating datacentre layouts, rack configurations and cabling schematics.
• Specifying and managing hardware components across the delivery lifecycle.

Skills

Manage and configure network platforms

Fault-tolerant networking solutions

Enterprise hardware installation

Networking across multi-technology solutions

Networking in Windows Server/Client and virtual environments

Tools

Ansible

Terraform

SCOM

Splunk Enterprise

Job description

Are you a Lead Network Engineer looking for your next challenge?

We are delivering a major Defence transformation programme in the Hertfordshire area, centred on the design and delivery of a high-security, multi-site platform that goes far beyond the scope of a traditional corporate desktop service.

We are seeking a Lead Network Engineer who will do more than simply “run networks”. You will take ownership of designing and deploying the physical networking backbone that underpins a complex, multi-site environment, playing a central role in shaping how the platform operates at scale. You will drive technical delivery, working hands-on with enterprise-grade hardware while providing technical leadership within a highly collaborative and supportive team.

This role offers genuine influence, long-term impact, and exposure to complex, nationally significant systems that few organisations can provide. For engineers motivated by purpose, scale, and complexity, it is a rare opportunity to see your technical leadership directly contribute to outcomes that truly matter.

What you'll be doing:

• Designing and deploying multi-site enterprise hardware platforms using COTS networking.
• Creating datacentre layouts, rack configurations and cabling schematics.
• Specifying and managing hardware components across the delivery lifecycle.
• Documenting low-level designs, procedures and disaster recovery instructions.
• Acting as the go-to expert for hardware and datacentre-related matters.
• Supporting hardware implementation and integration within secure environments.

What you’ll bring:

• Strong hands-on experience managing and configuring network platforms.
• Expertise in fault-tolerant networking solutions.
• Solid understanding of enterprise hardware installation and resilient design principles.
• Proficiency in networking across multi-technology solutions.
• Knowledge of networking in Windows Server/Client and virtual environments.

It would be great if you had

• Cisco certifications.
• Hold an active DV (Developed Vetting).
• Experience with infrastructure automation tools such as Ansible and Terraform.
• Understanding of datacentre power and cooling requirements.
• Familiarity with secure environments and regulations (JSP 440, JSP 604, SCIDA).
• Experience with monitoring tools like SCOM and Splunk Enterprise.

If you’re interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!

Employment Type:Full-time, Permanent
Location:Hertfordshire
Security Clearance Level:DV (Developed Vetting)
Internal Recruiter:Josh
Salary:£60,000 to £75,000
Benefits:£5,400 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.