Principal Network Engineer - Remote Across UK Or Ireland

Ocho People; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Northern Ireland is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to design and optimize advanced network solutions. The successful candidate will have proven expertise with Palo Alto firewalls and Juniper routing, along with strong troubleshooting skills. This role offers a hybrid working environment and the opportunity to mentor within a global team focused on innovation and continuous learning.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working options

Collaborative culture

Encouraged use of AI tools

Qualifications

• Proven expertise with Palo Alto firewalls and advanced CLI configuration.
• Experience with Juniper platforms QFX and MX.
• Deep understanding of routing protocols like EVPN and VXLAN.

Responsibilities

• Architect and deploy enterprise and data centre network solutions.
• Lead troubleshooting across Palo Alto and Juniper environments.
• Ensure scalability, security, and high availability.

Skills

Palo Alto firewalls

Juniper routing and switching

BGP

EVPN

VXLAN

Troubleshooting skills

Excellent communication

Tools

Palo Alto

Juniper QFX

Automation tools

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Network Engineer (Level I or II) to join a world-class engineering team responsible for designing, securing, and optimising a large-scale global network.

You will play a key role in evolving a high-performance infrastructure that supports complex routing, automation, and next-generation security. This is a deeply technical, hands‑on position, ideal for engineers who want to work on challenging architecture and drive best practice across the business.

If you are a technologist who thrives on solving problems, enjoys working in a collaborative global team, and brings a passion for networking excellence, we would like to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and deploy advanced enterprise and data centre network solutions
• Lead implementation and troubleshooting across Palo Alto and Juniper environments
• Deliver robust routing and segmentation using EVPN, VXLAN, and BGP
• Optimise firewall and security services including Threat Prevention, Wildfire, URL Filtering, and Panorama
• Work closely with global peers to ensure scalability, security, and high availability
• Act as a technical mentor and thought leader within the network engineering function
• Contribute to continuous improvement, automation, and adoption of new technologies

Required Experience

• Proven, hands‑on expertise with Palo Alto firewalls (advanced CLI configuration essential)
• Experience with Juniper routing and switching – particularly QFX and MX platforms (Apstra a plus)
• Deep understanding of EVPN, VXLAN, BGP, and related routing protocols
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a track record of delivering production‑ready solutions
• Comfortable explaining design decisions and architectural trade‑offs
• Excellent communicator – able to collaborate across time zones and teams

Preferred / Nice to Have

• Familiarity with Prisma Access, Cortex XSOAR, or Prisma Cloud
• Knowledge of automation, scripting, or orchestration tools
• Experience working in multi‑site or multi‑cloud enterprise environments

Working Environment

• Global team distributed across the UK, Ireland, and North America
• Collaborative culture with an emphasis on innovation and continuous learning
• Flexible hybrid or remote working options
• Encouraged use of AI tools to improve productivity, backed by strong technical understanding

Please apply now if you are matching the above criteria, or contact Andrew Harrison directly.