Lead Network Operations Engineer - SC Cleared

LA International; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ICT Consultancy in the UK is seeking a Lead Network Operations Engineer to oversee the network infrastructure and ensure its integrity and performance. The role includes managing network health, resolving issues, leading responses to outages, and providing technical leadership on network projects. Essential qualifications include expertise in networking protocols, firewalls, cloud networking, and strong team leadership abilities. This is a 3-month hybrid contract based in Central London.

Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of Networking protocols (mainly TCP/IP) and routing protocols like BGP and OSPF.
• Expert level skills in Fortinet & Palo Alto Firewalls, including Next-Generation Firewalls.
• Experience with AWS Multi Cloud Accounts, TGW, VPC's, and Route53.
• Knowledge of Enterprise Wi-Fi Controllers and authentication standards like 802.1X and RADIUS.
• Ability to manage stakeholder expectations effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day to day running of the Network infrastructure.
• Monitor Network health, proactively resolving issues.
• Perform troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Lead response to Critical Network outages.
• Provide technical leadership on network projects.
• Line Management of Network Team members.

Skills

Networking protocols understanding

Fortinet & Palo Alto Firewalls expertise

AWS Multi Cloud experience

Enterprise Wi-Fi Controllers knowledge

Incident management skills

Network monitoring skills

Capacity planning

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Job description

We have an urgent requirement for an SC cleared Lead Network Operations Engineer on an initial 3 month contract. The role will be hybrid working with 2-3 days a week onsite in Central London.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day to day running of the Network infrastructure ensuring integrity, availability, performance and capacity management of Cabinet Office networking infrastructure and requirements.
• Monitor Network health, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they escalate.
• Perform troubleshooting and root cause analysis of network related issues and incidents.
• Lead the response to Critical Network outages, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Act as an escalation point for complex network issues that other network engineers cannot resolve.
• Work within technical compliance management to co‑operate with technologies, such as PSN and Cloud computing etc.
• Provide technical leadership on network refresh projects, upgrades and security improvements.
• Line Management of Network Team members.
• Team Management including recruiting and performance management.

Essential Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of Networking protocols (mainly TCP/IP) and routing protocols (e.g. BGP, OSPF), etc.
• Enterprise Networking infrastructure: Fortinet & Palo Alto Firewalls skills (Expert level), including knowledge of Next‑Generation Firewalls (NGFWs).
• Cloud Networking: Experience working with AWS Multi Cloud Accounts, TGW, VPC's and Route53.
• Wireless networking: Enterprise Wi‑Fi Controllers, authentication (802.1X, RADIUS etc).
• Incident management skills, including stakeholder management.
• Network monitoring and performance tools.
• Capacity planning and performance tuning.
• Team Leadership and mentoring: Ability to guide and mentor (and line‑manage) networking engineers and foster a high‑performance culture.
• Cross‑functional team Collaboration – work with the Cyber Security Team, Cloud Applications, EUC and other infrastructure teams.
• Professional skills including excellent customer relationship and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage with and gain the confidence of colleagues at all levels.

LA International is a HMG approved ICT Recruitment and Project Solutions Consultancy, operating globally from the largest single site in the UK as an IT Consultancy or as an Employment Business & Agency depending upon the precise nature of the work, for security cleared jobs or non‑clearance vacancies. LA International welcomes applications from all sections of the community and from people with diverse experience and backgrounds. Award Winning LA International, winner of the Recruiter Awards for Excellence, Best IT Recruitment Company, Best Public Sector Recruitment Company and overall Gold Award winner, has now secured the most prestigious business award that any business can receive, The Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade, for the second consecutive period.