Lead Network Engineer DV Cleared

Sanderson Government and Defence; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanderson Government and Defence in Salisbury is seeking a Lead Network Engineer to support secure, mission-critical networks. The role focuses on availability, security and performance, delivering architectural improvements and guiding delivery teams.

You will hold Active DV Clearance, have Cisco expertise (CCNP preferred), firewall and security experience (Palo Alto, PCNSE), and be able to design, implement and document network solutions while engaging stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active DV clearance is required.
• Extensive enterprise/defence data centre or service provider network experience.
• Strong Cisco networking expertise; CCNP certification preferred.
• Firewall and security experience, ideally Palo Alto and PCNSE.
• Experience with network design, implementation and project delivery.
• Knowledge of routing, switching, firewalls and secure network architectures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and support network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, cryptographic systems).
• Deliver network design changes and architectural enhancements.
• Monitor network performance and proactively resolve issues.
• Manage network security and perimeter defence controls.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation.
• Provide technical guidance to delivery teams and stakeholders.

Skills

DV Clearance

Cisco networking

Firewall & security

Network design

Stakeholder engagement

Routing & switching

Job description

Lead Network Engineer

Salisbury | 3-4 Days Per Week Onsite

Inside IR35 | Open Rate
Active DV Clearance Required

Are you an experienced Lead Network Engineer with a strong background in secure, complex network environments?

We are seeking a skilled professional to support the operation, maintenance, and development of a critical network capability. You will be responsible for ensuring network availability, security, and performance while delivering architectural improvements and supporting key network initiatives.

Essential Experience:

• Active DV Clearance
• Extensive network engineering experience in enterprise, defence, service provider, or data centre environments
• Strong Cisco networking expertise, ideally CCNP certified
• Firewall and network security experience, ideally with Palo Alto technologies and PCNSE certification
• Experience with network design, implementation, and project delivery
• Knowledge of routing, switching, firewalls, and secure network architectures
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and support network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and cryptographic systems
• Deliver network design changes and architectural enhancements
• Monitor network performance and proactively resolve issues
• Manage network security and perimeter defence controls
• Produce and maintain technical documentation
• Provide technical guidance to delivery teams and stakeholders

This is an opportunity to work within a highly secure, mission-critical environment, supporting the delivery and evolution of a nationally significant network capability.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.