Principal Network Engineer

Location: Droitwich (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Salary: Competitive

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Head of Networks, the Principal Network Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the network infrastructure. This role involves leading the network engineering team, managing their workload and priorities and ensuring the delivery of carrier-grade network solutions. The Principal Network Engineer will drive best practices in design, configuration, processes, and operational procedures, ensuring the network remains robust, scalable and compliant with architectural standards. Additionally, they will play a key role in enforcing adherence to the approved network design and maintaining high performance and reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accountable for Network availability including:

• Ensure stable and reliable network services
• Day-to-day network performance monitoring
• Network troubleshooting and fault analysis; hardware troubleshooting and repair
• Trouble ticket generation and response; carrier interface and escalations
• Deployment and maintenance of network monitoring, analysis and reporting tools
• Analysis of problems and effective fault diagnosis and system recovery
• Collaborative engagement with Network Operations and Architecture Teams

• Provide Network Support that includes operation and change management across all aspects of the network
• Application of configuration changes via our change control systems and processes
• Network design activity, including HLD, LLD documentation and subsequent implementation
• Installation of network hardware and software including onsite network locations
• Upgrades, patches, OS management and configuration tuning
• Representing the business via engagement with vendor and industry colleagues

• Maintain, develop and implement new technology to improve and enhance services delivered
• Optimise network capacity and reliability
• Develop and maintain sound network security practices on all network equipment

• Support and maintain the core, distribution and access networks
• Develop sustainable solutions to handle complex issues
• Work in collaboration with the network architects, network engineering and security teams
• Identify and resolve network problems
• Take care of the networking, routing and interconnectivity
• Roll out innovative ideas and programmes of works to help reduce network issues

Technical Skills:

Thorough understanding of the following protocols and technologies: IPv4 and IPv6, routing protocols (BGP and ISIS), MPLS, LDP and Segment Routing. BNG for IPoE and PPPoE, Zero Touch Provision, DHCP, radius. uRPF/BCP38. Competent with PON access, CGNat and building N+1 highly available solutions. Proficient in python, perl, go or other scripting. Competent linux skills.

What can Airband Offer you?

• 25 days of paid leave a year rising to 30 plus bank holidays with service (pro-rata)
• 5% Airband pension plus a minimum 3% employee contribution.
• Customer referral bonus - a thank you for every customer you send our way.
• We offer hybrid working – a mix of working from home and in the office.
• Free Broadband - If you are in our coverage, you can benefit from free broadband with us!
• 20% off your monthly line rental on EE’s phone, tablet, SIM only or mobile broadband plans.
• Cycle to work, Tech scheme, Healthcare and medical insurance. Dental care, and Health cash fund (dependent on the length of service)
• Airshare (employee discount platform) - discounts on everyday shopping, weekly groceries, holidays, the list is endless - save up to £1,000 a year!
• Refer a friend reward scheme – a selection of great rewards to choose from!

Pre-employment checks:

Please note that you are required to have the right to work in the UK and we request satisfactory references as part of our recruitment process. A DBS check may be required for a number of our roles, particularly those that are customer-facing. Also, a driving licence may be required for positions that require you to be out in the field as part of the role. Recruitment agency support is not required at this time.