Network Operations Engineer

University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Sheffield is seeking a Network Operations Engineer to support and deliver wired and wireless connectivity. The role involves working in a collaborative environment, contributing to a multi-year network modernization program. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst infrastructures and strong problem-solving skills. This position offers competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference in the community.

Benefits

Highly competitive annual leave entitlement

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Wide range of retail discounts

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and proactive networking professional with hands-on experience supporting Cisco Catalyst wired and wireless infrastructures.
• Good problem solving skills with the ability to think around situations and work with colleagues to implement effective solutions.
• An understanding of how IT infrastructure functions within a large, complex organisation and the considerations this brings.
• Keenness to learn and develop in the role is important.

Responsibilities

• Support and deliver wired and wireless connectivity across the University.
• Join the Network Operations team to provide a multi-skilled, collaborative service delivery environment.
• Support business as usual service requests, enable research projects, support major events or deliver connectivity for new flagship teaching facilities.
• Contribute to the multi-year programme of network modernisation to drive a wireless-first connectivity experience.

Skills

Hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst infrastructures

Problem-solving skills

Understanding of IT infrastructure

Scripting skills (e.g., Python)

Job description

Overview

University of Sheffield

Job Reference Number: 1442

Working Pattern: Full-time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Faculty: Professional Services

Department: IT Services

Closing Date: 15 October 2025

If you have a passion for networks with a desire to apply and develop your skills further, we have an exciting opportunity for a Network Operations Engineer within Network Services. You will join the multi-skilled and highly collaborative Network Operations team, supporting and delivering wired and wireless connectivity across the University.

As a large, research-led institution with over 300 buildings and 35,000+ users, the role of Network Operations is essential, making a significant positive impact. The work is interesting and highly varied; whether it’s business as usual service requests, enabling research projects, supporting major events or delivering connectivity for new flagship teaching facilities.

The University has recently started a multi-year programme of network modernisation to drive a wireless first connectivity experience. As part of the team you will play a key role in this, making a real difference to our user community while further enhancing your skills and experience.

Responsibilities

• Support and deliver wired and wireless connectivity across the University.
• Join the Network Operations team to provide a multi-skilled, collaborative service delivery environment.
• Support business as usual service requests, enable research projects, support major events or deliver connectivity for new flagship teaching facilities.
• Contribute to the multi-year programme of network modernisation to drive a wireless-first connectivity experience.

What we are looking for / Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and proactive networking professional with hands-on experience supporting Cisco Catalyst wired and wireless infrastructures.
• Good problem solving skills with the ability to think around situations and work with colleagues to implement effective solutions.
• An understanding of how IT infrastructure functions within a large, complex organisation and the considerations this brings.
• Beyond solid networking knowledge, scripting skills (e.g., Python) would be a plus, but keenness to learn and develop in the role is important.

What we offer

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. A diverse set of backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more at www.sheffield.ac.uk/benefits and join us to become part of something special.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.