Network & Security Engineer

Group Support Services; Northwich; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension with matched contributions up

Bonus scheme up to 2%

35 days holiday incl. bank holidays

Healthcare cashback plan

Wellbeing support & EAP

Gym membership

Life Assurance

Will writing services

Training & progression

Recognition programmes

Inclusion & engagement

Job summary

Places for People is seeking a Network & Security Engineer to join the Commercial IT team in Northwich. This hands-on role focuses on protecting and developing our network infrastructure across on-premise and cloud environments, with a People First approach to supporting colleagues, partners and suppliers.

You will maintain LAN/WAN/WLAN, firewalls, VPNs and security platforms while staying ahead of emerging cyber threats and contributing to audits and new tenders.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with networking tech including wireless access points, switches and routers.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to resolve or escalate complex technical issues.
• Experience in large or complex organisations with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Engineering, monitoring and improving security controls protecting networks on-premise and in the cloud.
• Maintain LAN, WAN, WLAN, firewalls, VPNs, web and email security platforms.
• Monitor alerts from security operations and threat detection systems; investigate threats and vulnerabilities.
• Create, test and improve runbooks and response scenarios, introducing automation where possible.
• Provide technical expertise across incidents, problems, projects and new technologies.

Skills

Networking

Security

Troubleshooting

Stakeholder management

Cloud basics

Education

Network engineering degree

Tools

LAN/WAN/WLAN

Firewalls

VPNs

Web security

Email security

IDS/IPS

Job description

As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we move lives forward every day by building, managing and supporting thriving Communities. From new homes, social housing and student accommodation to leisure, education and Community initiatives, our work makes a positive difference to millions of People across the UK. And that takes People who care about doing the right thing. People who are ambitious, ready to grow and motivated to make a difference through the work they do.

We're looking for Colleagues who bring energy, curiosity and ownership. People who enjoy being challenged, support those around them and want to keep raising the bar. Because when we perform at our best, we create more opportunities to invest in our Customers, our Communities and each other.

Experience matters, but it's only part of the story. If you share our values and want to build a career where your work has real impact, we'd love to hear from you.More about your role

Are you an experienced Network & Security Engineer who enjoys solving complex technical problems, strengthening cyber security and continuously improving network performance?

We're looking for a Network & Security Engineer to join our Commercial IT team within RMG. This is a hands-on role where you'll help ensure our network and security infrastructure remains reliable, secure and high-performing, while supporting colleagues, partners and suppliers with a People First approach.

This role is based on site 3 days a week in Northwich.

At Places for People we are committed to a safe working environment so a basic DBS check is mandatory.

What you'll be doing

You'll play an important role in protecting and developing our network infrastructure, working across both on-premise and cloud environments.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Engineering, monitoring and improving security controls protecting our networks, both on-premise and in the cloud.
• Maintaining and developing our LAN, WAN, WLAN, firewalls, VPNs, web security and email security platforms.
• Monitoring alerts from our Managed Security Operations Centre and other threat detection systems.
• Investigating network behaviour, security threats and vulnerabilities, supporting remediation activity where required.
• Creating, testing and improving runbooks and response scenarios, introducing automation wherever possible.
• Providing technical expertise to colleagues and engineers across incidents, problems, projects and the introduction of new technologies and services.
• Keeping up to date with emerging cyber security threats, technologies and approaches.
• Supporting cyber assurance requirements for audits and new business tenders.
• Working with colleagues and third-party partners to continuously improve the performance and security of our services.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, collaborative approach.

You'll ideally have:

• Hands-on experience working with networking technology including wireless access points, switches and routers.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and experience resolving or escalating technical issues.
• Experience working within a large or complex organisation.
• Experience managing relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including third-party suppliers, vendors and contractors.
• A genuine interest in technology and a willingness to continually develop your knowledge as technologies and security threats evolve.

It would be great if you also have

• A relevant qualification or degree in areas such as network engineering, telecommunications, computer science, cyber security or another related IT discipline.
• Foundation-level cloud qualifications or knowledge across platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS or GCP.

The opportunity

This role offers the chance to work across both network engineering and cyber security, contributing to the protection and ongoing development of critical IT infrastructure. You'll work closely with colleagues and technical specialists while helping us build secure, resilient and continuously improving services.

If you're technically curious, enjoy getting to the root of problems and want a role where you can make a real contribution to network performance and security, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll get

We know rewarding work deserves rewarding benefits. That's why, alongside a competitive salary, you'll have access to a package designed to support you at work and beyond. You'll receive:

• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Bonus scheme for colleagues up to 2%
• 35 days holiday (including bank holidays) with the option to buy or sell days
• Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs, with private GP and health support services available
• Comprehensive wellbeing support including counselling, flu jabs, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to our Wellbeing Hub, supporting your mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Access to Our Place Rewards, offering discounts and savings on groceries, travel, shopping, home products and other lifestyle purchases
• Ongoing training, professional qualifications, internal development programmes and career progression opportunities
• Recognition programmes including Star Awards and Colleague Awards, celebrating achievements and recognising great work
• Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
• Free membership to Places Gyms
• Life Assurance to provide financial security for your loved ones, alongside access to will writing services to help you plan for the future with confidence