Network Engineer

KFC UK & Ireland; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major fast-food chain in the UK is looking for a Network Support Specialist to manage and maintain its network infrastructure for over 1000 restaurants. You will troubleshoot complex connectivity issues and implement network upgrades while collaborating with global partners. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, along with relevant networking certifications. This position offers hybrid working, a competitive benefits package, and a supportive environment that fosters personal growth.

Benefits

Hybrid working from Woking RSC

Up to 11% company pension contributions

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

5 Live Well Days per year

Bonus scheme linked to performance

Private healthcare and mental health coaching

Enhanced parental leave

Study support and more

25% off meals

Qualifications

• Experience in large enterprise network engineering, preferably in retail settings.
• Hands-on knowledge of SD-WAN and large-scale Wi-Fi solutions.
• Ability to deliver change in high-availability environments.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain the network infrastructure for over 1000 restaurants.
• Troubleshoot complex connectivity issues across hybrid environments.
• Implement network configurations in line with organizational standards.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Clear communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

CCNA/CCNP or equivalent

Cloud networking certification (Azure/AWS)

Tools

Cloud services (Azure/AWS)

Firewalls

SD-WAN solutions

Networking equipment (switches, routers)

Job description

Overview

We sell the world’s best chicken. Seriously. And we’ve done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we’re proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago.

Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

What’s the gig? Well, you support our restaurants — and we’ll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open — and they can take you anywhere.

All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good?

Great. Let’s find out about that job.

About the role

Support and maintain KFC UK&I’s network infrastructure for 1,000+ restaurants, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity.

Responsibilities include SD-WAN, switch management, security settings, supplier coordination, troubleshooting, upgrades, performance monitoring, and compliance. Requires strong stakeholder engagement and expertise in large-scale networks.

What will you spend your time doing?

Network Operations & Support

• Provide operational support for WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi solutions and cloud-based network services across the estate, including cloud.
• Respond to incidents and service requests, including hybrid connectivity issues between data centres, store sites, and cloud platforms.
• Troubleshoot complex issues: routing, switching, 802.1X, Wi-Fi performance, firewall policies, and SD-WAN overlays/underlays.
• Monitor capacity, performance, and availability; proactively remediate risks and single points of failure.
• Maintain and test regular backups of network device configurations.
• Ensure backup processes are automated, tested, and stored securely in compliance with organisational policies.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery procedures for network infrastructure, including restoration steps and failover strategies.

Configuration & Deployment

• Implement and maintain network configurations in line with organisational standards and best practices.
• Support network upgrades, migrations, and technology refresh projects across distributed environments including cloud.
• Ensure accurate configuration of network devices, including switches, firewalls, and wireless controllers and both in the physical and virtual space.
• Validate and test changes before deployment to minimise risk and ensure service continuity.
• Plan and execute pilots, phased rollouts, and post-implementation reviews across distributed sites.

Security & Compliance

• Enforce network security baselines across on-premise and cloud environments, including least privilege, segmentation, encryption, secure management, logging, and patching.
• Collaborate with the Security team on vulnerability management, incident response, and audit readiness.
• Update and maintain secure configurations in line with company polices and standards.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Act as technical lead with network service providers and hardware vendors; ensure SLA adherence, capacity planning, and service improvement.
• Coordinate change windows, communications, and post-change validation with store operations and IT stakeholders.

Documentation & Governance

• Maintain accurate network diagrams, inventories, runbooks, standard operating procedures, and change records.
• Contribute to architecture standards, design reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.

On-call

• Participate in an on-call rota for major incidents and perform occasional travel to sites and data centres.

Working relationships

• Cross functional teams within technology; collaborate with infrastructure, security, and Tech teams to align network designs and configurations with security standards.
• Wider business teams: Engage with operational and business units to promote awareness of network security best practices.
• Global teams; work closely with global partners (e.g., Yum! brands) to maintain compliance with corporate standards and security policies.

What we love from you:

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• CCNA/CCNP or equivalent; cloud networking certification (Azure/AWS) preferred.
• Security certifications (e.g., Security+, CySA+, SSCP) a plus.

Experience

• Experience in large enterprise network engineering, ideally in retail or multi-site environments.
• Hands-on delivery and support of SD-WAN, large-scale Wi-Fi, NAC, and firewall solutions across hybrid (cloud/on-prem) environments.
• Experience managing switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless controllers across multi-vendor networks.
• Proven ability to deliver change in high-availability, mission-critical environments with minimal downtime.
• Strong vendor management experience, including SLA oversight.

Technical Knowledge

• Networking: BGP, static routing, VLANs, STP, LACP, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, QoS, subnetting.
• Cloud: Azure/AWS networking, including ExpressRoute, VNets, routing tables, and security services.
• Security: Firewalls (IPS/IDS, VPNs, SSL inspection, NAT, segmentation), NAC, and network security controls.
• Monitoring & Automation: SNMP, syslog, SIEM, network monitoring, automation, and capacity planning.
• Risk & Compliance: Understanding of network threats, defense-in-depth, and frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, and CIS.

Skills & Behaviours

• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and documentation.
• Clear communicator, able to translate technical risk into business terms.
• Collaborative, proactive, and able to work across technical and business teams.
• Organized, self-directed, and committed to ethical handling of sensitive information.

KeepinG it real

We don’t hire staff — we hire people. People with real lives and aspirations, building real careers. Each of us has something special to add to the mix we call work, and we’ll always encourage you to add your perspective.

See, at KFC, everyone’s welcome — whatever your background, and whatever future you’re creating. We’ll look out for you because you’re one of us, not because you work for us. We’ll invest in your potential, because it’s what we’ve always done. But most of all, we’ll give you the freedom to be you, wherever

(and whoever) you happen to be.

What’s in it for you:

We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.

From flexible, hybrid working and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.

You’ll get:

🏠 Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London)

💸 Up to 11% company pension contributions

🌴 25 days’ holiday (plus bank hols)

🧘 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you

🎯 Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance

🩺 Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching

👶 Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options

📚 Study support, income protection, life cover & more

🍗 And yes — 25% off the chicken

KFC for Everyone

Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real

you to work.

Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability,

religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.

If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll

be there to help you be the real you.

Ready?

We hope so. If you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply.

Worried you aren’t ticking all the boxes? Don’t - we’d still love to hear from you