Network Engineer

CyberNorth; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire Technology Solutions is seeking an experienced Network Engineer to join the Core Network team in the UK. You will own day-to-day production network components, troubleshoot live issues, and help improve reliability and scalability of backbone connectivity, data centre networks, and hosted service platforms.

The role emphasizes customer service and collaboration, with exposure to complex routing, network security, and automation using Python, Ansible, and APIs.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking (OSI model) and routing protocols (BGP/OSPF) in IPv4/IPv6.
• Experience with enterprise or carrier-grade platforms (Cisco/Juniper) and OS (IOS-XE/IOS-XR/JunOS).
• Design, implement or support complex networks (MPLS, L2VPN/L3VPN) and QoS.
• Knowledge of network security and infrastructure ecosystems including firewalls (Fortinet/Palo Alto).
• Familiarity with optical/fibre tech (CWDM/DWDM/GPON).
• Ability to automate network operations with scripting/automation (Python/Ansible/Bash).

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain and improve core network infrastructure and capacity.
• Design, implement and test network changes to support growth and resilience.
• Troubleshoot complex network issues in production and perform root-cause analysis.
• Maintain runbooks and network documentation; provide technical guidance.
• Support network services and automation tooling across the team.

Skills

TCP/IP networking

BGP/OSPF

Cisco/Juniper

MPLS QoS

Network security

CWDM DWDM GPON

Scripting/Automation

RADIUS DNS IPAM

Tools

Ansible

Python

Bash

IOS-XE

IOS-XR

JunOS

Fortinet

Palo Alto

Job description

At Aspire Technology Solutions, we are a leading UK provider of managed IT, cyber security and modern workplace solutions. We deliver cyber security, cloud, connectivity, managed services and unified communications solutions that help organisations get more from their technology – driving innovation, improving efficiency and enabling faster growth. Through strong partnerships, we help our customers work smarter, operate more efficiently and achieve better business outcomes, consistently adding value along the way.

Our mission: To deliver technology like no other!

We look for dynamic individuals who embrace technology, think different, collaborate as team players, and are driven by continuous improvement with a focus on great results for our customers.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Network Engineer to join our Core Network team, which is responsible for the design, operation, and evolution of business‑critical national network infrastructure

The team operates the core network platforms that underpin backbone connectivity, data centre networks, core telephony, and hosted service platforms, where you will be working with complex routing and production networks at scale.

You’ll take day‑to‑day ownership of network components in production, be comfortable troubleshooting live‑network issues, and help improve the reliability and scalability of the network over time

Customer service is key to success in the role – living our values are woven through everything we do to guarantee that our service delivery is second to none.

What you will be doing

• Operating, maintaining and improving core network infrastructure, including backbone connectivity, capacity planning and availability in line with agreed SLAs.
• Designing, implementing and testing network changes and new infrastructure to support growth, resilience and service improvements.
• Troubleshooting complex network issues in production, performing root‑cause analysis and implementing long‑term fixes.
• Operating supporting network services and automation, including RADIUS, DNS, IPAM, DDoS mitigation platforms and task automation using tools such as Ansible, Python or APIs.
• Working with vendors and internal teams, maintaining clear network documentation and runbooks, and providing technical guidance and operational support where required.

You will suit the role if you have

• A strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, including the OSI model, and hands‑on experience with routing protocols such as BGP and OSPF in IPv4 and IPv6 environments.
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise or carrier‑grade network platforms, such as Cisco and/or Juniper, including familiarity with operating systems like IOS-XE, IOS‑XR or JunOS.
• Expertise in designing, implementing, or supporting complex networks, including technologies such as MPLS (L2VPN/L3VPN) and Quality of Service (QoS).
• Knowledge of network security and infrastructure ecosystems, including firewalls (e.g. Fortinet, Palo Alto or similar) and supporting services in Linux‑based environments.
• Expertise in optical and fibre technologies such as CWDM, DWDM or GPON.
• The ability to automate and improve network operations, with practical experience in scripting or automation using tools such as Python, Ansible or Bash.