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Lead Network Engineer position in Technology Operations
Hybrid working in Southampton
Requires SC clearance for the role
Responsibilities include technical leadership, team management, and network architecture
Lead Network Engineer - Technology Operations
Hybrid working | Southampton
*This role will require SC clearance
Our Technology and Design team plays a vital role in keeping OS at the cutting edge of geospatial capability. We work across the business to deliver customer-centric technology services that make a real difference. Join us and you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, supporting technology that underpins critical services and helping shape the future of networking at Ordnance Survey.
About the role
We're looking for an experienced and influential Lead Network Engineer to provide technical leadership and strategic direction for OS's enterprise network infrastructure.
You’ll lead the architecture, design and delivery of complex network solutions across our data centres, cloud environments and remote sites. As the principal technical authority for networking, you’ll help ensure our network services remain secure, resilient, scalable and fit for the future. These responsibilities reflect the current Lead Network Engineer role profile.
This is more than a hands‑on technical leadership role. You’ll lead and develop a team of network engineers and technicians, helping to build capability, share knowledge and create a collaborative and inclusive engineering culture. You’ll also work closely with teams across cybersecurity, infrastructure, development and applications while helping shape our network technology roadmap, investment priorities and future strategy.
You’ll work across a varied networking estate. Key technologies within the team include Cisco switching and routing, Cisco ISE, Cisco Meraki, Check Point firewalls, F5 BIG‑IP and Azure networking, so experience across several of these technologies would be particularly valuable. These are the core technologies identified for the successful candidate in the Networks recruitment information.
What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who combines strong enterprise networking expertise with the ability to lead people, influence technical direction and work effectively across Technology and the wider organisation.
Essential skills and experience:
- Extensive experience working with enterprise network infrastructure and leading complex or large-scale network initiatives.
- Expert knowledge of networking protocols and technologies including BGP, VLANs and VPNs.
- Strong hands‑on expertise across routing, switching, wireless, firewalls and cloud networking.
- Strong understanding of modern network security principles including network segmentation and zero‑trust approaches.
- Experience with network monitoring, automation and scripting.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills for complex network and service issues.
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to balance operational priorities with longer‑term strategic objectives.
- Experience leading, coaching and developing engineers and supporting their professional development.
- Industry‑recognised networking certification such as Cisco CCNP/CCIE or equivalent experience.
Experience with the following would be particularly valuable:
- Cisco enterprise switching and routing
- Check Point firewalls
- F5 BIG‑IP
You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Lead the architecture, design and delivery of enterprise network solutions.
- Act as a technical authority for network engineering.
- Oversee network performance, capacity and operational health.
- Provide technical leadership during complex incidents and support root‑cause analysis.
- Drive automation and continuous improvement to increase reliability and efficiency.
- Lead, coach and develop network engineers and technicians.
- Identify capability and skills gaps and support development and succession planning.
- Work closely with cybersecurity and other technology teams to deliver secure, integrated services.
- Develop standards, documentation and technical best practice.
- Evaluate emerging networking technologies and work with technology partners and vendors.
- Contribute to strategic planning, investment, budgeting and network risk management.
- Define and maintain the network technology roadmap.
The rewards
We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.
Our benefits include:
- Competitive salary and pension (OS contribute up to 12.07%)
- Performance-related bonus (where applicable)
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
- Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave
- Hybrid and flexible working options
- Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring
- Free subscription to OS Maps and access to wellbeing support
- Volunteering leave and matched fundraising
Location & Working Pattern
The role is based from OSHQ in Southampton, with OS operating a hybrid working model. Regular office presence will be required because of the hands‑on nature of supporting our enterprise network infrastructure.
Security & eligibility
Given the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of UK national Security Clearance. You must therefore be willing and able to undertake the necessary security vetting process.
Security vetting is conducted in accordance with the requirements of United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV). Further information about security clearance and the vetting process is available on the UK Government security vetting guidance . UKSV is the UK Government's provider of national security clearances.
OS conducts pre‑employment checks for anyone made an offer of employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS)).
This role requires the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, OS cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.
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