Principal Network Engineer

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical aid

Retirement planning benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Network Engineer to lead design, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s enterprise network from the Kimberley office. The role emphasizes hands-on management and collaboration within the network operations center to ensure high availability and reliability.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in routing, switching, security, and performance optimization, with strong leadership and communication skills to mentor junior engineers and drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree is a plus.
• 8+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture.
• Proven experience designing and managing large-scale enterprise networks.
• In-depth knowledge of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), switching technologies, and WAN/LAN architectures.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and manage complex enterprise-level network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
• Develop and maintain network architecture documentation and standards.
• Implement and manage network security measures to protect against cyber threats.
• Optimize network performance, troubleshoot complex issues, and ensure high availability.
• Lead the evaluation and adoption of new networking technologies and solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior network engineers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure network requirements are met for new projects and services.
• Develop and implement network monitoring and alerting systems.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate network hardware/software solutions.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.

Skills

BGP

OSPF

VPNs

Firewalls

Leadership

Communication

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

SolarWinds

PRTG

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major telecommunications provider, is seeking an experienced Principal Network Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of their advanced network infrastructure in Kimberley. This senior role requires a deep understanding of complex network architectures, routing protocols, security, and performance optimization. You will be responsible for architecting network solutions, ensuring high availability and reliability, and guiding a team of network specialists. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with extensive hands-on experience in enterprise-level networking. This position is based in our Kimberley offices, emphasizing the importance of hands-on management and collaboration within the network operations center.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and manage complex enterprise-level network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
• Develop and maintain network architecture documentation and standards.
• Implement and manage network security measures to protect against cyber threats.
• Optimize network performance, troubleshoot complex issues, and ensure high availability.
• Lead the evaluation and adoption of new networking technologies and solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior network engineers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure network requirements are met for new projects and services.
• Develop and implement network monitoring and alerting systems.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate network hardware/software solutions.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree is a plus.
• 8+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture.
• Proven experience designing and managing large-scale enterprise networks.
• In-depth knowledge of routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF), switching technologies, and WAN/LAN architectures.
• Strong understanding of network security principles and technologies (e.g., VPNs, firewalls, IDS/IPS).
• Experience with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, PRTG).
• Expertise in troubleshooting complex network issues.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced environment.
• Must be able to work full‑time from our Kimberley office.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, comprehensive medical aid, retirement planning benefits, and performance-based bonuses. This role provides significant opportunities for professional growth, exposure to cutting-edge network technologies, and the chance to lead critical infrastructure projects. Join a leading organization in Kimberley and play a key role in shaping the future of telecommunications networking.