Senior Engineer (Network)

QinetiQ Limited; Orpington; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched contribution pension

Generous holiday allowance

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Employee discount portal

Armed Forces Covenant

Job summary

QinetiQ Limited in Farnborough is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to lead the transition from manual to automated network operations. You will drive the automation roadmap and design solutions for LAN, WAN and datacentre environments, while mentoring engineers and shaping best practices across the estate.

The role requires hands-on scripting with Python, Ansible and Terraform and experience with centralised management tools such as Cisco Catalyst Center.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in network automation across enterprise environments.
• Proven track record leading automation initiatives.
• Hands-on with Python, Ansible, Terraform.
• Experience with centralised network management/orchestration tools.
• Solid understanding of routing, switching, security in enterprise envs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation from manual to automated network operations and set best practices.
• Design and implement network automation solutions for LAN/WAN/datacentre.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts using Python, Ansible, Terraform.
• Integrate centralised management platforms to optimize operations.
• Enhance efficiency through automated provisioning, configuration, and monitoring.
• Collaborate across teams and mentor engineers to share knowledge.

Skills

Network automation

Python

Ansible

Terraform

Cisco Catalyst Center

Scripting

Leadership

Education

CCNP or equivalent

Degree in CS/Engineering or related field

Tools

Cisco Catalyst Center

Job description

and stakeholders to deliver automated solutions aligned with strategic goals.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the transformation from manual to automated network operations, establishing best practices and driving the automation roadmap
• Design and implement network automation solutions across LAN, WAN, and datacentre environments
• Develop and maintain automation scripts using Python, Ansible, and Terraform
• Integrate and optimise centralised network management platforms (e.g. Cisco Catalyst Center)
• Enhance operational efficiency through automated provisioning, configuration management, and monitoring
• Collaborate across teams while mentoring engineers and promoting knowledge sharing and cross-training

Essential experience of the Senior Network Engineer:

• Strong experience in network infrastructure automation (non-cloud focused) across enterprise environments
• Proven track record of leading or contributing to automation transformation initiatives
• Hands-on experience with scripting and automation tools such as Python, Ansible and Terraform
• Experience working with centralised network management and orchestration tools (e.g. Cisco Catalyst Center)
• Solid understanding of core networking technologies (routing, switching, security) across enterprise-scale environments
• Experience in building reusable automation frameworks and templates

Essential qualifications for the Senior Network Engineer:

• CCNP or equivalent experience
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• We value difference and we don't have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at Farnborough. To cover shift patterns between 0730-1830 GMT you may be asked to work at specific times. As part of a commitment to maintaining high service availability and rapid incident response, this role will be required to participate in an

Package: 59,400 - 66,000 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits Role ID: SF20281

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we're not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Network Engineer at our Farnborough site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The RoleThis is a unique opportunity to lead the transition from manual network operations to automated infrastructure. You will act as a key member of the team, championing automation initiatives across our network estate and embedding modern engineering practices into our ways of working. Day-to-day, you will focus on designing and implementing network automation solutions, improving efficiency, consistency, and scalability across enterprise environments. You'll collaborate with engineers, architects, on-call rota. This responsibility reflects the trust placed in the role to act swiftly and decisively when critical systems are impacted.

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state-of-the-art facility, with high-energy laser technologies, our 5m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation. Join our talented teams of Engineers, IT & Cyber Specialists, Project Managers, Group Functions Teams and many more to provide future defences in the UK.

Why Join QinetiQ? As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there's never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you'll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you'll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition SchemeVolunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process: We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in. Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum. UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)#LI-MD1