Senior Network Engineer | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Reading

We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer ready to lead in designing & securing enterprise-scale infrastructure that underpins frontline NHS services. You will lead the support, design and continual improvement of core network infrastructure across the Trust. This is a hands-on senior technical role within a specialist team, where you will be the subject matter expert for networking, connectivity & firewall security.

The successful candidate will bring extensive 3rd and 4th line experience across LAN/WAN, MPLS, firewalls, routing and switching, along with knowledge of Azure networking. There is a split of 70/30 between project delivery & business-as-usual support, providing the opportunity to influence future network design while maintaining resilient and secure services for critical clinical systems.

It is essential you hold a CCNA, CCNP or equivalent networking qualification. A Foundation Certificate in ITIL Service Management is preferred; equivalent industry experience will also be considered.

Based primarily at Bath Road, Reading, this is a fully site-based role requiring regular travel across Berkshire. Due to the operational nature of the infrastructure, home working is not available. Core working hours are Monday to Friday, 9–5 with participation in an out-of-hours rota required.

If you are passionate about delivering secure, reliable network infrastructure & want to make a meaningful impact within healthcare, we would love to hear from you.

• Proactively maintain and enhance the Trust’s core network infrastructure including LAN/WAN, MPLS, firewalls, routers, switches, load balancers and Azure networking
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex 3rd/4th line network incidents, undertaking root cause analysis and implementing permanent solutions
• Lead firewall configuration, security improvements and network resilience initiatives
• Design, review and document high- and low-level network designs to support projects and service development
• Ensure all network changes follow ITIL processes including incident, problem and change management
• Support disaster recovery planning, testing and business continuity arrangements
• Collaborate with architects, security teams and third-party suppliers
• Mentor colleagues and contribute to continual service improvement
• Participate in an out-of-hours support rota and travel across Berkshire sites as required

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

The “must haves” for this role:

• A Foundation Certificate in ITIL Service Management is preferred; equivalent industry experience will also be considered.
• Extensive 3rd/4th line network engineering experience in a complex, multi-site environment
• Ability to work full-time on-site across Berkshire
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Shiva Pallapothu IT Infrastructure Manager on 01189046290 or email: Shiva.Pallapothu@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.

Applications for this role will be considered on a first come first serve basis and we may close the vacancy early if the right candidate is found. Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

This advert closes on Friday 21 Aug 2026.