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- Tasks: Lead and mentor a team while managing complex network infrastructures.
- Company: Join Sopra Steria, a leader in digital solutions for Defence and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £5,400 car allowance, 25 days leave, private medical, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on National Security while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: CCNA required; experience in networking and automation technologies preferred.
- Other info: Hybrid role with 2-3 days on-site in Salisbury; DV Clearance eligibility is essential.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 70000 £ per year.
Come and work with us on this large, IT Estate within Defence. Job satisfaction, exciting work, complex technologies, it is all here, waiting for a Lead Network Engineer. You do need to be eligible for DV Clearance for this position. Hybrid fixed with 2-3 days per week on site in Salisbury.
What you’ll be doing:
- Provide mentorship and guidance across the team and foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Act as a point of escalation and support for complex issues, while coaching others through troubleshooting processes.
- Maintain and manage client network infrastructure (including but not limited to Cisco Routing, Switching, Security, SDN, Unified Communications and Wireless technologies).
- Identify and explore opportunities for enhancing efficiency, leveraging orchestration technologies to streamline and automate.
- Lead 'Root Cause Analysis' investigations into network faults, security and performance issues.
- Support the Principal NetOps Engineer and Architects with project implementation.
- Liaise with third party service providers for WAN provision and maintenance.
- Lead and progress third party vendor support cases to provide resolutions for complex technical issues.
- Lead collaborative efforts across the Platform Engineering team to resolve issues and drive improvements across multiple technology areas.
- There may be a requirement for ad-hoc out of hours working (weekday and weekend) hours and the successful candidate must be willing to travel to other sites where necessary in support of the client’s network and delivery of projects.
Essential skills:
- Solid experience within a networking environment.
- Current CCNA qualification.
- Strong Routing/Switching skills with both IOS and NX-OS.
- Experience of Ansible or similar automation/orchestration technologies or willingness to build expertise.
- Cisco ACI software defined networking experience or preparedness to build expertise.
- ITIL certification or experience.
- Full UK Driving Licence as travel to other sites will be required.
- Current DV Clearance or eligibility to gain DV clearance is essential for this role.
Desired skills:
- Agile working experience.
- Current CCNP accreditation or preparedness to gain a CCNP accreditation.
- AWS, Azure and OCI networking skills.
- Working knowledge of Cisco Wireless networking applications and devices.
- Working knowledge of Cisco Unified Communication platforms and devices.
- Cisco security technologies including ISE and ASA Cisco VPN.
- Network management platform knowledge (Catalyst Center/Solar Winds/Nagios/Nexus Dashboard).
- Experience of Windows/Linux Server Administration.
- Experience of Broadcom/VMware virtualisation technologies.
- Experience working within a secure defence environment.
If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Hybrid Fixed: 2 to 3 days in Salisbury.
Security Clearance Level: Eligible for DV Clearance.
Salary: To £56000.00.
Benefits: £5,400 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.
Lead Network Engineer employer: Sopra Steria Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sopra Steria Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Network Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Cisco Routing, Switching, and Security. Having hands-on experience or projects that showcase your skills in these areas will make you stand out during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Since this role involves mentoring and coaching, think about examples from your past experiences where you've successfully guided others. Be ready to discuss these scenarios in detail, as they demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Given the emphasis on collaboration across teams, prepare to talk about your experience working in cross-functional environments. Highlight any specific projects where you worked closely with other teams to resolve complex issues.
✨Tip Number 4
Since DV Clearance is essential for this position, ensure you understand the requirements and process for obtaining it. Being knowledgeable about this can show your commitment and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Network Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in networking, particularly with Cisco technologies and automation tools like Ansible. Emphasise your CCNA qualification and any other certifications that align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor within a networking environment, as well as your commitment to continuous improvement.
Highlight Security Clearance Eligibility: Since DV clearance is essential for this position, clearly state your current status regarding security clearance or your eligibility to obtain it. This will show that you understand the importance of this requirement.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: Provide examples in your application of how you've successfully resolved complex technical issues in the past. This could include leading root cause analysis investigations or collaborating with teams to enhance network efficiency.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria Ltd
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Cisco Routing, Switching, and Security technologies in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented these technologies, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Lead Network Engineer, you'll be expected to mentor and guide your team. Share examples of how you've previously led teams or projects, focusing on your approach to fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around complex network issues. Prepare to walk through your thought process during a 'Root Cause Analysis' investigation, showcasing your troubleshooting methodology.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with Sopra Steria’s work in the Defence sector and their commitment to National Security. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission.
