Senior Infrastructure Engineer

Dataspire Solutions Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days annual leave

Birthday day off

On-site parking

Pluralsight license

Employee Assistance Programme

Site safety support

Job summary

Dataspire Solutions Ltd in Manchester seeks a hands-on Senior IT Infrastructure Engineer to deliver complex networking, server, and security projects across education sector partners.

You will lead migrations, configure Aruba/Cisco Meraki, Hyper-V/VMware, AD, and cloud services, while coordinating with schools and multi-academy trusts. Travel across England is expected, with some work in Wales/Scotland.

Qualifications

• We need hands-on delivery experience across networking and server infrastructure in MSP/education/multi-site environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex project workstreams across networking, wireless, firewalls, servers, virtualization, storage, backup, and security.
• Translate high-level designs into detailed implementation plans, validation steps, and rollback approaches.
• Act as technical lead during cutovers, migrations, and go-live events with defined success criteria.

Skills

Networking experience

Server infrastructure

Firewall configuration

Windows Server

Virtualisation

Storage & backup

Cutovers & migrations

Documentation

Travel readiness

DBS clearance ready

Tools

Aruba

Cisco Meraki

Hyper-V

VMware

Active Directory

Azure

Windows

VPN

Office 365

Job description

Salary: £55,000 - 55,000 per year

Requirements:

• We need strong hands-on delivery experience across networking and server infrastructure in an MSP, education, or multi-site environment.
• We need demonstrable experience with HPE Aruba or Cisco Meraki; proven configuration and deployment experience with at least one is essential.
• We need confidence configuring and commissioning managed switching, routing, VLANs, and enterprise wireless.
• We need solid firewall experience, including rule sets, VPNs, and applying security baselines.
• We need proven Windows Server build and configuration experience, including core roles.
• We need practical virtualisation experience with Hyper-V or VMware, including VM provisioning and migration.
• We need experience implementing storage and backup, including restore and recovery testing.
• We need demonstrable experience leading, or acting as technical lead on, cutovers, migrations, or go-live events, including planning rollback.
• We need the ability to translate high-level designs into detailed, sequenced implementation plans.
• We need clear, disciplined technical documentation suitable for operational handover.
• We need a calm, structured approach under pressure, with sound judgement on when to elevate.
• We need a full, valid UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites across England, and occasionally Wales and Scotland.
• We need willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check and maintain a clean record.
• Vendor certifications in networking, server, or virtualisation would be desirable.
• Experience across both HPE Aruba and Cisco Meraki would be desirable.
• SSSTS, ECS card, or other relevant site safety qualifications would be desirable.
• Experience working with schools, colleges, or multi-academy trusts would be desirable.
• Knowledge of DfE standards, NCSC guidance, KCSIE, Cyber Essentials, or education safeguarding requirements would be desirable.
• Experience working on live construction or building site environments would be desirable.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or peer reviewing other engineers would be desirable.
• Interest in automation, scripting, and repeatable build methods would be desirable.

Responsibilities:

• We lead complex project workstreams across networking, wireless, firewalls, servers, virtualisation, storage, backup, and security.
• We translate high-level designs into detailed implementation plans, task sequences, validation steps, and rollback approaches.
• We act as technical lead during cutovers, migrations, and go-live events, owning success criteria, communication points, and rollback options.
• We configure and commission core infrastructure including switching, routing, VLANs, enterprise wireless, firewalls, server builds, hypervisors, storage, and backup platforms.
• We carry out structured testing, validation, and evidence capture before handover.
• We handle third-line escalation during project delivery.
• We review documentation produced by engineers and ensure it is suitable for operational handover to Systems Operations.
• We work with Project Managers and the PMO on planning, progress, change control, and risk tracking.
• We work with Solutions Design to clarify design intent and feed back practical improvements.
• We work with Systems Operations to ensure monitoring, backup, and support readiness are in place at go-live.
• We identify delivery risks, dependencies, and blockers early and escalat with the right information.
• We mentor and coach Associate and Implementation Engineers, raising technical and documentation standards.
• We contribute to implementation standards, build guides, and configuration baselines.
• We work safely and methodically on customer and construction sites, following site rules and safe working practices.

Technologies:

• Aruba
• Cisco
• Firewall
• Hyper-V
• Support
• Security
• VMware
• Windows
• Active Directory
• Azure
• Cloud
• DevOps
• IAM
• LAN
• macOS
• Microsoft 365
• Network
• Office 365
• VPN
• iOS

More:

We partner with schools and multi-academy trusts to build dependable, high-performing technology environments that help schools operate securely and efficiently while enabling teachers and students to make the most of technology. This is a hands-on senior engineering role based in our Manchester office with hybrid working, regular travel to customer sites across England and occasional work in Wales and Scotland. We offer a salary of £50,000-£59,000, 32 days annual leave including bank holidays, an additional paid Christmas shutdown day, your birthday off, on-site parking, optional branded workwear, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Pluralsight licence, protected learning time, vendor-led training, support with site safety qualifications where required, monthly one-to-ones, and a structured continuing professional development framework. We are a Mental Health at Work Committed organisation and a Disability Confident employer, and we are committed to creating a working environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and able to perform at their best.

last updated 33 week of 2026