Network Engineer (Senior)

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Hybrid work model with flexible days

Professional development and certs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, implement and maintain a robust enterprise network for a major telecom provider in Polokwane. The role blends on-site duties with flexible remote work days, requiring strong routing, switching, firewall and VPN expertise.

You will lead network initiatives, troubleshoot complex issues, and collaborate with IT teams to ensure optimal performance and security across wired and wireless infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in network engineering and administration.
• Expertise in routing protocols (BGP, OSPF) and switching technologies.
• Strong experience with firewalls (Cisco ASA, Palo Alto), load balancers, and VPNs.
• Proficiency with network monitoring tools such as SolarWinds and Nagios.
• Understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and core network services.
• Certs such as CCNA/CCNP are highly desirable.
• Experience with network automation and scripting (Python/Ansible) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid role within Polokwane area.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and deploy enterprise-level network solutions.
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues to ensure high availability.
• Implement and manage network security measures including firewalls and VPNs.
• Plan and execute network upgrades and capacity planning.
• Develop and maintain network documentation and diagrams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate network with other IT systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers.
• Stay current with emerging network technologies and best practices.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate new technologies.
• Participate in on-call rotation for network emergencies.

Skills

Routing & switching

Firewall & VPNs

Network monitoring

Python/Ansible scripting

CCNA/CCNP

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT or related

Tools

Cisco ASA

Palo Alto

SolarWinds

Nagios

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major telecommunications provider, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Network Engineer to join their team in Polokwane . This hybrid role is essential for designing, implementing, and maintaining the company's complex network infrastructure. You will be responsible for ensuring network performance, reliability, and security across our wired and wireless networks. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of routing, switching, firewalls, and network protocols, coupled with strong troubleshooting skills. This position offers a blend of on-site work in Polokwane for hands-on tasks and team collaboration, with the flexibility for remote work days.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and deploy enterprise-level network solutions.
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot network issues to ensure high availability and optimal performance.
• Implement and manage network security measures, including firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems.
• Plan and execute network upgrades and capacity planning.
• Develop and maintain network documentation, including diagrams and configurations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate network infrastructure with other IT systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior network engineers.
• Stay current with emerging network technologies and industry best practices.
• Manage network vendor relationships and evaluate new technologies.
• Participate in on-call rotation for network emergencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in network engineering and administration.
• Expertise in routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF) and switching technologies.
• Strong experience with firewalls (e.g., Cisco ASA, Palo Alto), load balancers, and VPNs.
• Proficiency in network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios).
• Understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and other core network services.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Experience with network automation and scripting (e.g., Python, Ansible) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid role within the Polokwane area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.
• Hybrid work model providing flexibility.
• Access to advanced networking equipment and technologies.
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment in Polokwane.
• Significant impact on critical infrastructure.