At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to tackle complex technical projects and enhance customer infrastructure.
- Company: Growing MSP in Manchester with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid parking, training support, pension, and flexible work options.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.
- Why this job: Step away from the service desk and take ownership of exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in MSP environments and strong knowledge of Microsoft infrastructure.
Salary: £40,000 - £49,000
Benefits: Paid parking, training & certification support, pension + more
Location: Manchester
Travel: Office based with 1 day WFH
The opportunity: If you're working in an MSP and you've reached the point where you want to spend more of your time on projects, infrastructure and the more complex technical work, this could be worth a look. We're working with a growing Manchester MSP looking for an experienced 3rd Line Engineer to join their technical team. You'll still be there when the 1st and 2nd line teams need an escalation point, but this isn't about sitting on a service desk all day picking up tickets. There's a strong project element to the position, alongside taking more ownership of customer infrastructure and helping improve the environments you're supporting.
It's a broad technical position too, so you're not going to get pushed into one small corner of the Microsoft stack or spend every day purely looking after networks.
Day to day: One day you could be working on a Microsoft 365 or Azure project, looking at Entra ID, Intune, Autopilot or a customer's cloud infrastructure. The next you might be troubleshooting an Active Directory issue, improving a Windows Server environment or helping resolve something that's been escalated through the support team. There's a decent networking element to the role as well. You'll get involved with customer firewalls, switches and wireless infrastructure, working through things like VLANs, routing and VPNs rather than simply passing anything network-related onto somebody else.
Their customer environments include the likes of SonicWall, Cisco, Meraki and UniFi, but they're not looking for somebody who has necessarily worked with every vendor under the sun. Having the networking fundamentals and being comfortable getting stuck into unfamiliar environments is more important.
The project side could see you deploying or improving infrastructure, working on Modern Workplace rollouts, making changes across Azure and Microsoft 365 or helping customers improve the resilience and security of their existing setup.
Because these are customer environments, you'll also need to be comfortable speaking with people. You'll be working directly with customers, explaining what you're doing and documenting changes properly rather than disappearing into the background once the technical work starts.
Who we are looking for: This will probably suit somebody who's already spent a good few years working within an MSP and has naturally progressed into being one of the people others turn to when something gets difficult. You might already have the 3rd Line Engineer title, or you could be a strong 2nd Line Engineer who's regularly handling escalations and getting involved with project work but hasn't been given the title or progression yet.
You'll need a good grounding across the Microsoft infrastructure world. You should be comfortable looking after Microsoft 365 environments and have enough experience with Azure, Entra ID and Modern Workplace technologies to troubleshoot issues and take ownership of changes. Likewise, you shouldn't be afraid of the traditional infrastructure underneath it. Windows Server and Active Directory are still important here, and when there's a firewall, VLAN, VPN or routing problem, you'll ideally be comfortable getting involved rather than immediately looking for the network team.
If you've used PowerShell to make your life easier, even better. Exposure to macOS management, regulated environments or technologies such as Jamf and Addigy would also be useful, but they're not deal-breakers.
More than anything, we're looking for someone who enjoys being an all-round infrastructure engineer. Someone who can take an escalation when needed, but who also wants the opportunity to get away from constant ticket work, deliver projects and have more ownership over how customer environments are built and improved.
The Next Steps: If you're reading this thinking it sounds like the sort of step you've been trying to make, let's have a conversation. You don't need to have every technology mentioned above. If you've got a strong MSP infrastructure background, you're comfortable at 3rd line level and you want more exposure to projects, Azure, Modern Workplace and networking, I'd be interested in speaking with you. Drop me a message, send your CV across or give me a call and I'll happily talk you through the role and the environment in more detail.
3rd Line Engineer in Manchester employer: CRG TEC
As a Senior Network Engineer at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration. With competitive benefits including 24 days of holiday, a pension scheme, and funded training opportunities, we are committed to your professional growth while offering the flexibility of remote work one day a week. Located in the vibrant North West, you'll have the chance to tackle complex network challenges while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises employee well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 3rd Line Engineer in Manchester
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what CRG TEC values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges CRG TEC might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at CRG TEC!
✨Direct Apply to CRG TEC
Let's not forget to apply directly through the CRG TEC website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace 3rd Line Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at CRG TEC.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at CRG TEC. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRG TEC
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
