Lead Network Engineer

Big Red Recruitment; Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Lead Network Engineer to oversee major network projects as part of an enterprise infrastructure modernization. This role involves working closely with Cisco Meraki and providing technical leadership without people management. Candidates should have extensive network engineering experience, especially with large environments. The position offers a salary range of £70,000–£80,000 and flexible hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in network engineering or architecture.
• Proficiency with Cisco Meraki in design and troubleshooting.
• Ability to produce network documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead major network projects and provide technical guidance.
• Support the delivery of modern and secure network across multiple sites.
• Act as the primary technical escalation point for the network estate.

Skills

Senior-level network engineering or network architecture

Cisco Meraki expertise

High-quality network documentation production

Familiarity with Zero Trust, SD-WAN, or NAC

Supporting large, distributed network environments

Job description

Overview

Would you like to lead major network projects, supporting multiple sites as part of a critical infrastructure modernisation? You'll join an enterprise scale organisation on a journey to modernise and future-proof its complex network estate. We're looking for a Lead Network Engineer to come in and help drive it.

You’ll be joining partway through this multi-phase transformation, working hands-on with Cisco Meraki technologies to support the delivery of a modern, secure, and scalable network across over 500 UK branches and offices.

This is not a people management role, it’s an opportunity to lead technically, acting as the architectural 'go to' for a knowledge transfer and serving as the primary technical escalation point for the business-critical network estate.

You\'ll operate alongside the existing Network Architect and play a key role in proof of concepts, pilot programmes, BAU transitions, and new initiatives like Zero Trust, NAC, and SD-WAN.

If you\'re a Senior Network Engineer ready to make the step into architecture or a hands-on Network Architect looking to stay close to delivery, this could be the ideal role for you.

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience in senior-level network engineering or network architecture
• Strong expertise with Cisco Meraki – design, rollout, and troubleshooting
• Experience producing high-quality network documentation (HLD, LLD, Confluence)
• Familiarity with Zero Trust, SD-WAN, or NAC principles
• Experience supporting large, distributed network environments (ideally multi-site or retail)

Salary and working arrangement

Salary: £70,000–£80,000 (depending on experience)

Flexible hybrid working – 2–3 days a week in the Huddersfield office

We are an equal opportunity recruitment company. This means we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of race, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age.

We are particularly invested in Neurodiversity inclusion and offer reasonable adjustments in the interview process. Reasonable adjustments are changes that we can make in the interview process if your disability puts you at a disadvantage compared with others who are not disabled. If you would benefit from a reasonable adjustment in your interview process, please call or email one of our recruiters.