Network Engineer Contract

We are the UK network service provider making digital infrastructure simple. Whether indoors or outdoors, we make sure our customers can always connect their customers. We bring together mobile operators, central and local government, and real estate providers to work together in new ways using collaborative commercial models, combined real-estate and telecoms know-how, and global best practice.

We have 6000+ mast site locations, have connected 2000+ buildings and support 200+ outdoor networks. Our managed sites include some of the biggest, most challenging wireless environments in the UK, including railway stations, Canary Wharf, City of London and events like the London Olympics.

We are looking for a Contract Network Engineer to join the team here at Freshwave for around 3 months. This role is part of the team who are responsible for the successful design, implementation, and commissioning of the networking infrastructure that underpins much of Freshwave Services. You will also cover working closely with Freshwave partners, through to acting as key expertise for networking aspects in the engineering of new products and operations teams.

• Technical implementation of design solutions - including creating standard processes for the systems, that can be used by wider Freshwave engineering and delivery teams to implement and validate the onsite customer systems.
• Configuration of routers, switches, RAN and monitoring systems.
• Providing network engineering services to support the delivery of new Freshwave sites - detailed implementation of network components, including subsequent testing, validation, and documentation.
• Troubleshoot problems identified during testing and drive them to resolution.
• Evaluate new technologies and platforms - document, build, and execute test plans to qualify vendor solutions, develop evaluation criteria and scoring and perform integration testing of network elements.
• Basic programming/coding of network tools and systems, including support for ongoing network automation to reduce reliance on individuals and allow scaling of Freshwave technologies.

• Practical knowledge in all packet-based protocols such as TCP / IP (including protocols like DHCP, DNS, TCP, UDP, etc.), switching and routing protocols.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience configuring and managing IPsec VPNs, including site-to-site and remote access solutions for secure network communication.
• Proficient in deploying, configuring, and maintaining network infrastructure using Juniper, Cisco (including Nexus), MikroTik, and FortiGate devices.
• Detailed understanding of modern router architecture, LAN switching architecture, design and implementation.
• Understanding diagnostic tools, Tcpdump, Wireshark, NMAP, Netflow.
• Knowledge of monitoring and management tools (OSS/NMS) such as OpenNMS or similar.
• Network automation exposure with experience in Python software development and network infrastructure management using CLI, SNMP, NETCONF interfaces.
• Having Cisco network certifications - CCNA (routing and switching) or equivalent as a minimum.

• Free barista coffee at our Farringdon head office every morning.
• Rooftop picnic area at our Farringdon head office.

We’re pleased to have been certified by Great Place to Work. 82% of our people think it’s a great place to work compared to 54% of employees at a typical UK-based company.

Our values are what set us apart from the rest. They are what enable us to bring assured connectivity wherever it’s needed. We use these values to inform everything we do and the way we act as professionals - think of them as what’s important to us collectively, as well as how we prefer to work.

• Engineering excellence: we’re engineering experts and the quality of our output is second to none.
• Do the right thing: we’re neutral in our position, doing what’s best for our people, our partners, our customers, society and the environment.
• Set the pace: we act quickly and work efficiently, setting the pace for our projects and industry standards.
• Sustainability and CSR: We implement environmental, social, and corporate governance.
• Innovate for Impact: We pride ourselves on many industry firsts, driven by both technical and commercial innovation.
• A thriving workforce: We’re nimble and fast-growing and our success relies on diverse talent from a range of backgrounds.
• Embracing Net Zero: This year we’ve baselined our carbon footprint.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Here at Freshwave, we are dedicated to making our recruitment process as inclusive as possible, and aim to do everything we can to make you feel comfortable and supported throughout.