Senior Network Engineer

Head Resourcing Ltd; Harlow; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Head Resourcing Ltd is currently supporting a leading defence organisation by sourcing a Cisco Network & Security Engineer contractor. The role focuses on Cisco ISE, Catalyst 9800 Wireless, and Enterprise Networking with SC Clearance as a requirement.

The position is a 6-month contract with a day rate of £475 Inside IR35, based in Harlow with hybrid working (3 days onsite). Candidates must demonstrate strong troubleshooting skills and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• SC Clearance is essential.
• Hybrid working up to 3 days in the office (Harlow).
• 6 month contract with day rate of £475 Inside IR35.

Responsibilities

• Support a leading defence organisation as a contractor.
• Deliver Cisco ISE, Catalyst 9800 Wireless, and Enterprise Networking expertise.
• Troubleshoot authentication, VLAN assignment, and access controls across ISE and WLANs.

Skills

Cisco ISE

Catalyst 9800 WLCs

Networking fundamentals

SC Clearance

802.1X

RADIUS

Guest & BYOD onboarding

Tools

Cisco ISE

Catalyst 9800

Job description

Role: Cisco Network & Security Engineer (Cisco ISE & Wireless) Length: 6 month Contract Day Rate: £475 Inside IR35 Location and working model: Hybrid working 3 days onsite - (Harlow) SC Clearance - Essential

We're supporting a leading defence organisation in the search for an experienced Cisco Network & Security Engineer contractor, with strong expertise across Cisco ISE, Catalyst 9800 Wireless, and Enterprise Networking. Candidates must have SC Clearance, and be able to work in a hybrid working arrangement up to 3 days in the office.

Key Skills Required

• Strong networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, OSI, VLANs, DHCP, DNS, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP)
• Extensive experience with Cisco ISE
• 802.1X, MAB, RADIUS, EAP-TLS/PEAP
• Policy Sets, Authorisation Profiles, Endpoint Profiling
• Guest & BYOD onboarding
• HA, upgrades, backup & restore
• Strong hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst 9800 WLCs
• CAPWAP, roaming, mobility
• WLANs, policy profiles and tags
• RF optimisation, FlexConnect and high-density deployments
• Expertise integrating ISE and Wireless environments
• Authentication troubleshooting (Client → AP → WLC → ISE)
• Dynamic VLAN assignment, CoA, role-based access
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation and stakeholder management skills

Desirable

• Cisco DNA Center
• Forcepoint Firewalls
• Automation/API exposure (ISE or IOS-XE)
• CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, Cisco ISE Specialist or CWNA/CWNP certifications

Security Clearance

Current SC Clearance or eligibility to obtain SC Clearance.h

PLEASE NOTE

Head Resourcing DO NOT use AI in the matching/screening/selection of candidates.

Head Resourcing is committed to being an inclusive business where diversity is valued and celebrated. Diversity to us, includes but is not limited to: educational background, socio-economic background, neurodiversity, age, marriage and civil partnership status, veteran status, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, race and ethnicity. As such we welcome enquiries and applications from everyone. We will be happy discuss with you any workplace adjustments you need in order to be at your best during the recruitment process.