At a Glance
- Tasks: Enhance and operate a cutting-edge Zero Trust network environment with Zscaler and Aruba technologies.
- Company: Join a global law firm known for innovation and exceptional service delivery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values unique perspectives and fosters inclusion.
- Why this job: Drive the evolution of networks into intelligent services and improve user experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience with Zscaler, Aruba, Python scripting, and a passion for automation.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are seeking an Advanced Network Engineer to enhance and operate an enterprise Zero Trust network environment built on Zscaler (ZIA/ZPA) and Aruba (ClearPass, switching, wireless) technologies. With the core architecture already in place, this role focuses on:
- Maximising uptime and service reliability
- Driving automation and operational efficiency
- Improving customer experience and network performance
- Building observability and self-healing capabilities
You will be responsible for evolving the network from a functional platform into a highly resilient, intelligent, and low-touch service.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Service Reliability & Uptime
- Own and improve network service availability across global sites
- Proactively identify and eliminate single points of failure
- Optimise: ISP performance and failover behaviour, Zscaler traffic paths and resilience, LAN/WLAN stability (Aruba)
- Lead root cause analysis for recurring issues and implement permanent fixes
- Zscaler (ZIA/ZPA) Optimisation
- Operate and continuously improve existing ZIA/ZPA deployments
- Tune and maintain: Access policies, Traffic forwarding (Client Connector, Branch Connector), Application segmentation (ZPA)
- Improve user experience and performance through data-driven optimisation
- Act as escalation point for complex Zscaler-related issues
- Aruba & ClearPass Operations
- Manage and optimise Aruba ClearPass NAC environment: 802.1X authentication (wired/wireless), Device onboarding and profiling, Policy enforcement improvements
- Enhance reliability of: Campus switching and wireless networks, Office network standard builds
- Drive consistency and reduce operational complexity across locations
- Automation & Engineering Efficiency
- Reduce manual effort by developing automation using: Python, REST APIs (Zscaler, Aruba, Azure, monitoring tools)
- Automate: Configuration changes, Policy updates, User/device onboarding workflows, Incident response actions
- Introduce Infrastructure as Code principles where applicable
- Observability & Insight
- Design and improve end-to-end observability of network services
- Integrate telemetry from: Zscaler platforms, Aruba infrastructure, ISP and branch connectivity
- Enhance monitoring platforms to provide: Actionable alerts (reduce noise), Service-level dashboards, User experience visibility
- Use data to drive proactive improvements rather than reactive fixes
- Self-Healing & Proactive Operations
- Implement self-healing capabilities, including: Automated failover validation, Scripted remediation of common faults, Event-driven automation workflows
- Build closed-loop processes: Detect, Diagnose, Resolve, Validate
- Reduce MTTR and incident volumes through automation
- Customer Experience & Service Improvement
- Focus on end-user experience as a primary success metric
- Partner with Service Desk and L2 teams to: Improve first-time fix rates, Reduce escalations, Simplify support models
- Translate technical improvements into measurable user outcomes
About you
- Technical Expertise
- Strong operational experience with: Zscaler ZIA & ZPA, Aruba networking (ClearPass, switching, wireless)
- Experience supporting enterprise-scale, multi-site networks
- Deep understanding of: Network resilience and failover design, Identity-based access (802.1X, NAC), End-user connectivity troubleshooting
- Automation & Development
- Proficiency in Python scripting
- Hands-on experience with REST API integrations
- Experience improving operational efficiency through automation
- Familiarity with: Git / version control, Automation tooling (Desirable: Ansible, Terraform)
- Observability & Monitoring
- Strong experience with monitoring/observability tools (e.g., Zabbix, Grafana, Splunk)
- Ability to define meaningful SLIs/SLOs and alerting strategies
- Data-driven approach to performance and reliability improvement
- Soft Skills
- Strong focus on customer experience and service quality
- Analytical, problem-solving mindset
- Ability to simplify complex issues for non-technical stakeholders
- Structured, documentation-led approach
- Continuous improvement and ownership mentality
- Desirable Skills
- Experience with: Zscaler Branch Connector, Azure networking and identity integration, SASE / SSE environments
- Understanding of ITIL service management frameworks
- Exposure to self-healing or AIOps concepts
- Foundational understanding of Agile methodologies
Why Join
- Drive the evolution from operational network to intelligent service platform
- Deliver measurable improvements in user experience and reliability
- Work with modern SASE, NAC, and automation technologies
- Influence global service standards and operational practices
About Us
We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.
At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.
We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know. Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.
Platform Engineer in Maidstone employer: DLA Piper
DLA Piper is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where you can thrive as a Front of House Coordinator. With a strong commitment to high-quality service and inclusion, employees benefit from a supportive culture that encourages professional growth and development. Join our team to be part of a collaborative atmosphere that values your contributions and fosters meaningful client relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Platform Engineer in Maidstone
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at DLA Piper or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to DLA Piper.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like DLA Piper.
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Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like DLA Piper that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Platform Engineer in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at DLA Piper.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at DLA Piper and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at DLA Piper
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If DLA Piper uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
