Senior Network Engineer (Tier 2)

ARO; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

ARO's SDS unit in Liverpool is seeking a Senior Network Engineer (Tier 2) to support NHS and public-sector networks. You will troubleshoot, design and deploy across data-centre, WAN and customer sites within a hybrid two-day-per-week work pattern.

You will work with Cisco IOS/NX-OS, Fortinet and Extreme platforms, manage incidents and changes, and collaborate with Lead/Principal engineers to uphold ITIL practices and ISO 27001 standards.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience with enterprise routing and switching.
• Experience in multi-vendor environments with data-centre networks.
• Ability to manage incidents, changes and escalations to Tier 3 as needed.
• Familiarity with ITIL-aligned processes and NHS/public-sector contexts.

Responsibilities

• Act as Tier 2 escalation point for incidents and requests.
• Configure and maintain SDS-hosted networks across data-centre and customer sites.
• Deliver network deployments, changes and migrations per approved designs.
• Mentor Tier-1 engineers and contribute to ongoing improvements.

Skills

Cisco IOS/NX-OS

Fortinet FortiGate/FortiManager

Extreme EXOS/ExtremeCloud IQ

BGP

OSPF

HSRP/VRRP

VLANs

802.1X

SD-WAN

ITIL

Tools

Cisco IOS/NX-OS

Fortinet FortiGate/FortiManager

Extreme Cloud IQ

Job description

Job Title: Senior Network Engineer (Tier 2) Location: Liverpool (Hybrid) Salary: From £50,000 Contract type: Permanent #LI-Hybrid

AROs Specialist Data Services (SDS) business unit is seeking a Senior Network Engineer (Tier 2) to support the resilient data-centre and customer networks underpinning SDS-hosted NHS, clinical and public-sector services. Working closely with the Lead and Principal Network Engineers, you will be responsible for supporting, configuring and maintaining network solutions across complex, multi-vendor environments. You will act as the Tier 2 escalation point for incidents and service requests, taking ownership through to resolution and escalating the most complex issues and technical risks to Tier 3 where required. This role combines hands‑on operational network engineering with the delivery of network changes, deployments and project activities across SDS‑managed data‑centre, wide‑area and customer network services. The role's primary remit is the SDS service estate, including critical NHS, clinical and public‑sector services delivered from ARO's Liverpool and Runcorn data centres. You must be comfortable operating within structured environments aligned to ISO 27001, NHS DSPT and ITIL practices. The role is predominantly based within the SDS NOC in Liverpool, with home‑based working two days per week and occasional attendance at the Runcorn data centre and customer sites to support operational or project needs. Please note this is a hybrid role based out of the Liverpool office 3 days a week, with 2 days working remotely and occasional attendance at other sites as required. You must be able to commute to these locations and have your own transport.

What you'll do

Act as the Tier 2 escalation point for incidents, problems and service requests affecting SDS‑managed networks and the customer services they support. Take ownership of assigned SDS issues, ensuring accurate records, regular communication, timely resolution and appropriate escalation to Tier 3 where required. Support the technical response to major incidents affecting SDS‑hosted and managed services, working with customers, vendors and internal teams to restore service safely and promptly. Troubleshoot LAN, WAN, WLAN, firewall, VPN, SD‑WAN and data‑centre networking issues across the SDS service estate. Work with Lead and Principal Network Engineers to implement SDS technical standards and approved network architectures.

• high‑level and low‑level designs
• implementation and migration plans
• test and validation plans
• rollback procedures

Support new SDS solutions, customer onboarding, migrations and changes affecting hosted or managed services. Deliver SDS network deployments, data‑centre changes, customer cutovers and upgrades in accordance with approved designs and change controls. Provide technical input to project planning, scoping, testing and delivery milestones. Contribute to root‑cause analysis and ensure agreed corrective actions are recorded and implemented. Support capacity, lifecycle, vulnerability, firmware and technical risk management. Identify opportunities to improve the monitoring, resilience, security and operational efficiency of SDS‑managed network services. Ensure new and changed SDS services are documented, monitored and successfully transitioned into the SDS operational support model. Maintain effective professional relationships with SDS customers, colleagues, partners and vendors, particularly across NHS, clinical and public‑sector environments. Mentor Tier1 engineers and contribute to individual and team development. Maintain current technical knowledge and complete agreed vendor or industry accreditations. Participate fully in the SDS on‑call rota and support planned out‑of‑hours activities affecting SDS customer services and data‑centre platforms where required.

Essential

Strong hands‑on knowledge of enterprise routing, switching, firewalls and secure connectivity. Good experience with at least two core technology platforms, including Cisco IOS/NX‑OS, Fortinet FortiGate/FortiManager and Extreme EXOS/ExtremeCloud IQ. Strong understanding of routing and switching technologies, including BGP, OSPF, HSRP/VRRP, VLANs, spanning tree and 802.1X. Good understanding of firewall policy, NAT, VPN, segmentation and SD‑WAN. Experience supporting complex, multi‑site or data‑centre networks underpinning business‑critical hosted or managed services. Demonstrable experience delivering network implementations, changes or migrations in customer‑facing environments. Strong troubleshooting methodology and the ability to manage escalations under pressure. Familiarity with ITIL‑aligned incident, problem, change and service‑transition processes. Ability to work independently within agreed technical standards and elevate risks appropriately. Strong customer focus, with clear written and verbal communication skills. Commitment to following company policies, pro