Network Engineer | Cisco | Arista | Python | Network Automation | Hybrid | UK

Xcede Recruitment Solutions; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Professional development and certs

Competitive salary & benefits

Job summary

Xcede Recruitment Solutions is seeking an experienced Network Engineer to join a team delivering enterprise and datacentre transformation projects for a diverse client base. The role blends hands-on routing and switching with automation to improve delivery and operations.

You will design, implement and optimise networks, deploy Cisco IOS-XE/NX-OS and Arista EOS, and build automation using Python and Ansible, focusing on VXLAN EVPN, BGP and OSPF. Hybrid working and cert investment are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong enterprise networking experience.
• Experience with Cisco IOS-XE/NX-XOS and/or Catalyst platforms.
• Arista EOS experience.
• Routing and Switching expertise.
• Knowledge of BGP and OSPF.
• VXLAN EVPN knowledge.
• Enterprise LAN/WAN technologies.
• Python scripting.
• Ansible automation.
• Git or version control.
• Excellent troubleshooting and customer-facing communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and support enterprise and datacentre networks.
• Deploy Cisco IOS-XE/NX-OS and Arista switching and routing solutions.
• Configure and troubleshoot BGP, OSPF, VXLAN EVPN, and Spine-Leaf architectures.
• Build and enhance network automation using Python and Ansible.
• Automate network provisioning, configuration changes and operational tasks.
• Produce High-Level and Low-Level Design documentation.
• Perform network testing, validation and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with architects, project managers and customer stakeholders.
• Contribute to continual improvement of engineering standards and automation capabilities.

Skills

Enterprise networking

BGP

OSPF

VXLAN EVPN

Python scripting

Ansible

Git/version control

Troubleshooting

Customer-facing communication

Cisco IOS-XE/NX-OS

Tools

Cisco IOS-XE/NX-OS

Arista EOS

NetBox/Nautobot

Ninja2 templating

REST APIs

Job description

A leading network consultancy is recruiting an experienced Network Engineer to join a team delivering enterprise and datacentre transformation projects across a diverse customer base. This role is ideally suited to an engineer whose background is primarily in enterprise networking (approximately 60%), complemented by hands‑on network automation (approximately 40%). You'll combine deep technical networking expertise with the ability to automate repetitive tasks, improve operational efficiency and support modern infrastructure delivery. If you enjoy solving complex networking problems while embracing automation to improve consistency and scalability, this is an excellent opportunity to work on technically challenging projects using industry‑leading technologies.

The Role:

You'll work across the full project lifecycle, from design and implementation through to optimisation and operational improvement. Alongside traditional networking responsibilities, you'll contribute to the development of automation frameworks, configuration management and network validation tooling that help deliver projects faster and more reliably.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement and support enterprise and datacentre networks
• Deploy Cisco and Arista switching and routing solutions
• Configure and troubleshoot BGP, OSPF, VXLAN EVPN and Spine-Leaf architectures
• Build and enhance network automation using Python and Ansible
• Automate network provisioning, configuration changes and operational tasks
• Produce High‑Level and Low‑Level Design documentation
• Perform network testing, validation and troubleshooting
• Work closely with architects, project managers and customer stakeholders
• Contribute to the continual improvement of engineering standards and automation capabilities

Essential Skills:

• Strong enterprise networking experience
• Cisco IOS‑XE, NX‑OS and/or Catalyst platforms
• Arista EOS
• Routing and Switching
• BGP
• OSPF
• VXLAN EVPN
• Enterprise LAN/WAN technologies
• Python scripting
• Ansible
• Git or version control
• Excellent troubleshooting and customer‑facing communication skills

Desirable Skills:

• NetBox or Nautobot
• Jinja2 templating
• REST APIs
• NAPALM or pyATS
• Cisco ACI
• Linux
• CI/CD pipelines
• Infrastructure as Code
• Network observability platforms

Certifications (one or more of the following would be advantageous):

• CCNP Enterprise
• CCNP Data Centre
• Cisco DevNet Associate or Professional
• Arista ACE Associate or Professional
• CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure

What's on Offer:

• Work on large‑scale enterprise and datacentre transformation programmes
• Exposure to modern network automation and Infrastructure as Code
• Hybrid working
• Investment in professional development and certifications
• Collaborative engineering culture with experienced network specialists
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

This is an excellent opportunity for a Network Engineer who enjoys hands‑on routing and switching but is equally enthusiastic about applying automation to improve network delivery and operations. If you're looking for a role where you can continue developing both your networking expertise and automation skills, we'd be delighted to hear from you. Apply today for a confidential discussion.