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- Tasks: Join a dynamic IT team to enhance and maintain university network infrastructure.
- Company: Work at a leading university on the Southern Coast of England, just 90 minutes from London.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, potential for contract extension, and some remote work flexibility.
- Why this job: Be part of a stimulating environment that supports academic and operational needs while mentoring junior engineers.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Senior Network Engineer with expertise in LAN/WAN and network security.
- Other info: Contract starts in January; interviews are ongoing.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Job Title: Senior Network Engineer (Contractor)
Location: Southern England
Rate: £450 – £550 per day (Outside IR35)
Contract Length: 6-12 months (with potential for extension)
Employer: University (Anonymous)
Job Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to join a dynamic IT team at a leading university on the Southern Coast of England (90 minutes from London). This role is a contract position, focusing on the implementation, enhancement, and maintenance of the university’s network infrastructure. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring the university’s networks are secure, resilient, and scalable, supporting both administrative operations and academic needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, implement, and manage robust and scalable network solutions across campus environments.
- Maintain and optimize LAN, WAN, WLAN, and data center networks to ensure seamless connectivity.
- Perform network upgrades, expansions, and migrations with minimal disruption to university services.
- Troubleshoot complex network issues, ensuring high availability and performance.
- Collaborate with IT teams and stakeholders to understand networking requirements for academic, research, and operational projects.
- Develop and enforce network security protocols and procedures to protect sensitive university data.
- Oversee the installation, configuration, and testing of network hardware, including switches, routers, and firewalls.
- Monitor network performance and provide regular reports on network health and capacity.
- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for network architecture, procedures, and policies.
- Mentor junior network engineers and provide technical leadership within the IT department.
Skills and Experience Required:
- Proven experience as a Senior Network Engineer, ideally within the higher education or public sector.
- Strong expertise in LAN/WAN design, wireless networks, and data center networking.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco, Juniper, and other leading networking technologies.
- Solid understanding of network security principles, firewalls, and VPNs.
- Experience with cloud networking solutions and integration (e.g., AWS, Azure).
- Familiarity with network monitoring tools and troubleshooting utilities.
- Certifications such as CCNP, JNCIP, or equivalent are highly desirable.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience working on large-scale campus networks or complex multi-site environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in higher education or large public sector organizations.
- Knowledge of ITIL practices and service management frameworks.
- Familiarity with SDN (Software Defined Networking) and emerging networking technologies.
- Experience with VoIP, IP telephony, and multimedia network integrations.
Additional Information:
- This role requires on-site presence with some flexibility for remote work.
- The contract is expected to start in January, with interviews conducted on a rolling basis.
If you are a highly skilled network engineer looking for your next challenge in a stimulating university environment, we encourage you to apply.
Senior Network Engineer employer: Burman Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Burman Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Network Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your experience with LAN/WAN design and network security principles during your conversations. The university is looking for someone who can ensure their networks are secure and resilient, so showcasing relevant projects will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarize yourself with the specific networking technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Cisco and Juniper. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools will demonstrate your technical expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in mentoring junior engineers. The role involves providing technical leadership, so sharing examples of how you've guided others in previous positions will show that you're a great fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. This skill is crucial for ensuring effective communication within the university's IT team and with non-technical staff.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Network Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience as a Senior Network Engineer, especially in higher education or public sector environments. Emphasize your expertise in LAN/WAN design, network security, and any hands-on experience with Cisco or Juniper technologies.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for applying to this role at the university. Discuss how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as managing network solutions and troubleshooting complex issues.
Showcase Relevant Certifications: If you have certifications like CCNP or JNCIP, make sure to mention them prominently in your application. These qualifications are highly desirable for this position and can set you apart from other candidates.
Highlight Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully solved complex network issues in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced environment, which is crucial for this position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Burman Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with networking technologies like Cisco and Juniper. Highlight specific projects where you designed or implemented network solutions, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to be asked about complex network issues you've resolved in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your analytical thinking and ability to work independently.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining your previous projects in simple terms. This will demonstrate your communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
✨Understand the University’s Needs
Research the university's current network infrastructure and any recent developments in their IT strategy. Tailor your responses to show how your skills can specifically address their academic and operational networking requirements.
