Senior Network Engineer in Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

You will be at the heart of delivering critical IT networking infrastructure and services to all students and staff across the University that enable world class research, learning and teaching. Your role sits within the Core Network Systems Team, part of Network Services within the wider Infrastructure and Operations section. As part of the team, you will co‑design, deliver, manage and maintain resilient, reliable and secure IT networking services across the organisation. You will keep abreast of emerging technologies, supporting the adoption of automation and orchestration to optimise management and performance of connectivity solutions. You will have an active role, providing expertise and advice to other IT Services teams, taking lead technical responsibility for delivering critical IT Services projects. You will work in conjunction with the wider networking teams as well as third party technology partners. You will therefore require excellent communication and time management skills as well as having a keen interest in self development, supported by the University.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, develop, build, configure and maintain core IT networking infrastructure and services across campus and data centre environments.
• Manage core network infrastructure updates and upgrades, ensuring compatibility with existing systems and minimal disruption to users.
• Act as technical lead on large and complex projects with significant value or organisational impact.
• Contribute to planning and development of networking related roadmaps.
• Contribute to relevant procurement processes.
• Act as expert in area of expertise advising on the use of emerging technologies and trends to make best practical use of these.
• Develop and champion the adoption of automation for network implementation, administration and assurance activities.
• Identify and manage potential risks proactively implementing and coordinating solutions to optimise performance and user experience.
• Conduct preventive maintenance to identify and address potential hardware, software or configuration issues.
• Collaborate with IT colleagues to ensure seamless integration of core networking components with other systems and infrastructure.
• Coach and mentor team members providing knowledge transfer to ensure best practices are implemented and adhered to.
• Deputise for the Core Network Systems manager where required including operation and technical management of team activities.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role’s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• Excellent technical understanding of fundamental network technologies and systems (including routers, switches, firewalls, DDI, NAC, VPN, load balancers and wireless).
• Experience of working as a network engineer within a large and complex organisation.
• Experienced in the configuration and administration of Cisco based networking infrastructure including Catalyst (9300, 9500, 9600) DNA/Catalyst Center and Cisco ACI (Data Centre).
• Experienced and skilled in scripting and automation language or solutions (e.g. Python, Terraform).
• Ability to act as a technical lead for development projects, taking solutions from specification through to in life support.
• Relevant Cisco accreditation (CCNP or above is preferred).
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to effectively articulate complex technical information to non-expert audiences.
• Self motivated and able to effectively manage your own workload.
• An appreciation and understanding of IT security considerations and activities such as vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.
• Experienced in the configuration and administration of Fortinet security appliances (Fortigate).
• Knowledge of cloud infrastructures (AWS, Azure, GCP etc).

Further Information

Grade 8 £48,822-£58,225 per annum with the potential to progress to £65,509.

For informal enquiries about this job contact Mike Greenwood, Core Network Systems Manager: at m.b.greenwood@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 3030.

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of a technical test, technical discussion with the team and panel interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact it-services-recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk.

A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes. A range of generous family-friendly policies paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies support for those going through the menopause paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right.

More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.