Senior Network Operations Engineer

Academic Key; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

On-site barista

Paid time off

Pension matching

Job summary

Graphcore in Bristol seeks a Senior Network Operations Engineer to maintain reliable, secure networks across cloud and on‑premises environments. You will own incidents end‑to‑end and drive reliability improvements, shaping operational requirements and documenting clear handovers.

The role covers AWS networking, SDA/SD-WAN, and firewall/NAT/VPN troubleshooting, with opportunities to automate using Ansible and Python. Occasional travel to data centres and offices is expected.

Qualifications

• Hands-on network engineering experience focused on production support.
• Certification in a major networking platform.
• Experience with large-scale L2/L3 networks (BGP, OSPF, switching, routing).
• Experience supporting centralized Wi‑Fi (Cisco Meraki or Aruba).
• Experience with centralised firewalls, NAT and VPNs.

Responsibilities

• Own the network lifecycle from requirements to incident resolution.
• Troubleshoot complex incidents using monitoring, packet captures and logs.
• Develop runbooks and recovery procedures for reliable operations.
• Assist with upgrades and deployments through testing and controlled changes.

Skills

AWS networking

Cisco SDA/SD-WAN

BGP

OSPF

Switching routing

Wi‑Fi management (Meraki/Aruba)

Firewalls & VPNs

pfSense

Ansible

Python

Tools

Ansible

Python

Job description

About the job Turn complex network faults into lasting fixes, and make new services ready for reliable operation. As a Senior Network Operations Engineer in Bristol, UK, you’ll keep Graphcore’s networks reliable and secure. This full-time role spans the network lifecycle, from shaping operational requirements to resolving complex incidents. Your improvements will reduce downtime and manual errors across new and existing services. You’ll help colleagues operate services confidently, with practical runbooks and recovery procedures ready when problems arise. You’ll troubleshoot routing and firewalls, improve monitoring and automate routine operations. You’ll also support upgrades and deployments through testing, controlled changes and clear handovers. Your scope includes AWS networking, Cisco Software-Defined Access and SD-WAN across cloud and on-premises environments. Occasional travel to remote data centres and offices will involve installations, troubleshooting and hands-on support. The team and culture You’ll join a supportive, multidisciplinary IT infrastructure team that works closely together and regularly shares knowledge. With new projects ahead, you’ll bring operational experience into network designs alongside architects and project teams. As a senior escalation point, you’ll own complex incidents through to resolution. You’ll use monitoring evidence and recurring incident trends to prioritise reliability improvements.

Senior Network Operations Engineer

Graphcore · Bristol

What we’re looking for AWS networking, Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) or SD-WAN experience would be particularly valuable, but is not essential. At least five years’ hands-on network engineering experience, focused on production support, with certification in a major networking platform. Strong practical knowledge of large-scale L2/L3 networks, including BGP, OSPF, switching, routing and resilience. Experience supporting centrally controlled Wi‑Fi, such as Cisco Meraki or Aruba, and resolving connectivity and performance issues. Experience managing and troubleshooting centralised firewalls, including rulesets, NAT and VPNs, plus familiarity with open-source products such as pfSense. Hands‑on use of Ansible, Python or similar tools to automate operations and manage network configurations. Evidence‑led troubleshooting using monitoring, packet captures and logs, alongside clear communication, documentation and sound judgement during incidents. While we have outlined a set of requirements, we value transferable skills and diverse experiences. We also welcome engineers returning to the profession after a career break, including through returnship routes.

Benefits

• Flexible working: Balance your work and personal life with greater flexibility
• Generous leave: Take time to rest, recharge and enjoy life outside of work
• Retirement planning support: Up to 5% matched pension
• Phantom equity: Share in Graphcore’s success
• Workplace experience: Enjoy thoughtfully designed office spaces for collaboration, with free food and an on‑site barista to support your day
• Peace of mind protection: Income protection and life assurance to provide financial security for you and your loved ones
• Electric Vehicle Scheme: Choose an electric vehicle and lease it through salary sacrifice
• Flexible benefits: Tailor your benefits package with a choice of additional options, including private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme and dental cover

We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work. We’re an equal opportunity employer and recognise that everyone brings different strengths and perspectives. If you need any adjustments during the interview process, just let us know – we’re happy to support you.

Sponsorship Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa applications for this role.

Access to controlled technology Some roles at Graphcore involve access to technology subject to U.S. export control regulations. Depending on the role, we may need to assess whether export authorisation is required, taking account of factors such as work location, citizenship and immigration status. Where authorisation is required, this may affect whether or when you can start the role. We’ll explain any relevant requirements during the recruitment process.

Join the Team at Graphcore Graphcore is one of the world’s leading innovators in Artificial Intelligence compute. It is developing hardware, software and systems infrastructure that will unlock the next generation of AI breakthroughs and power the widespread adoption of AI solutions across every industry. As part of the SoftBank Group, Graphcore is a member of an elite family of companies responsible for some of the world’s most transformative technologies. Together, they share a bold vision: to enable Ar