Senior Network Engineer

National Grid; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company is seeking a Senior Networks Analyst in Wokingham to manage critical infrastructure networks supporting essential energy operations. This role entails overseeing the performance of third-party suppliers, ensuring system availability, and implementing DevSecOps methodologies. Candidates should have experience in network engineering and relevant qualifications. The position offers a competitive salary between £61,500 - £69,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package including flexible work arrangements, professional development, and a contributory pension scheme.

Benefits

Performance bonus

26 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Passion for Operations and Delivery in a DevSecOps environment.
• Experience in agile methodologies and governance.
• Strong understanding of network communication protocols.
• Ability to manage complex supplier interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead key projects and support operations across NESO estate.
• Ensure SLA's for services in line with ITIL.
• Oversee third party supplier performance.
• Manage network topology for high availability.
• Design operational requirements for new programmes.
• Implement best practices in data centre management.

Skills

Operations

Delivery

Collaboration

Agility

Communication

Network Topology

Education

Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science

CCNA / CCIE Qualification or equivalent

Tools

SCADA

ITIL Best Practice

Job description

About the Role

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) are looking for a Senior Networks Analyst to work within its Critical Infrastructure Networks team, managing the Network that enables NESO’s crucial role at the heart of the Energy sector, and working with Strategic suppliers to enable them to succeed.

This exciting opportunity will enable the post holder to manage the multiple technical Networks underpinning NESO’s core SCADA and Balancing applications, in addition to designing, supporting and enabling new services to be delivered in a wider strategic move to a DevSecOps methodology across the DD&T capability as part of the NESO strategy.

This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

Key Accountabilities

The role is to lead, enable, support and deliver key projects and enable Ops Support across the NESO estate:

• Enable key availability SLA’s, including Response and Restore, for associated services, in line with ITIL Best Practice
• Oversight of third party suppliers performance to enable a highly-resilient, highly available Network topology
• Provides Technical oversight and Leadership on behalf of NESO Network capability
• Design Lead for Operational requirements for Strategic new Programmes and Initiatives
• Embodiement of Best Practice techniques, technologies and
• Data Centre Management and oversight to ensure Networks Best Practices are reflected
• Supplier Management to assure Supplier Performance, and identify opportunities for Continuous Improvement
• Oversight of vendor management for licences, hardware and software to agree good commercial outcomes for NESO
• Capacity Management, Backup (DR), Business Continuity and Performance Management
• Documentation of processes, procedures and policies against ISO9001
• Enablement of patching and compliance to industry and Operational, Security needs
• Enablement and support of CMDB, and security tooling in conjunction with platform needs
• Optimisation of people process, change and relentless aptitude to Pace of Delivery, Ops Change, documentation of processes and process rigour, across Support and Delivery

About You

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about Operations, Delivery, Collaboration in a Dev/Sec/Ops environment
• Has Experience of working at pace, Agility, agile methods and strong pragmatic, delivery governance.
• Has detailed understanding of Network Topology and communication protocols
• Strong communicator with excellent oral and written skills. Able to manage complex problems with suppliers in a professional, respectful manner to drive Performance.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science
• Significant Network Engineer experience
• CCNA / CCIE Qualification or equivalent

Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we’re committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment process where everyone can show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds to build a workforce that feels valued and respected and represents the communities we serve.

About What You'll Get

A competitive salary between £61,500 - £69,000pa – dependent on experience and capability. The base salary is complemented by a company performance bonus, 26 days annual leave as standard and a contributory pension scheme that doubles your contribution up to 12% of salary.

You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit-for-purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values, and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.

About Us

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain’s energy network and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for consumers. We work with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using a wider adoption of technology and changes in consumer behaviour, as well as ensuring we have the right markets, networks, and frameworks in place, to transform the way we operate tomorrow. Join us, and let’s energise progress. Your energy, our future, together.

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system. The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them. The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all. The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

More Information

This role closes on 11/02/2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. We\'re committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.