Network / IT Engineer vacancy in Tewkesbury (252CM)

Network / IT Engineer vacancy in Tewkesbury (252CM)

Overview

Our client is an established and growing defence technology organisation delivering secure, high-performance networking solutions to UK Defence customers.

Due to continued growth, they are seeking an experienced Network Engineer to join their engineering team. This is a predominantly field-based position, supporting the deployment, maintenance and optimisation of enterprise network infrastructure across secure customer environments.

The role offers an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys combining hands‑on technical expertise with customer engagement, taking ownership of projects and delivering resilient, secure networking solutions that support mission-critical operations.

It is particularly relevant to experienced networking professionals from Defence, Armed Forces CIS/Signals, secure government, critical infrastructure or enterprise networking environments.

The Role

As a Network Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, implementing and supporting enterprise network infrastructure across a range of secure Defence environments.

Working closely with customers and internal engineering teams, you will undertake installations, upgrades, preventative maintenance, network audits and fault resolution, ensuring systems remain secure, reliable and available.

The position involves frequent travel to customer sites throughout the UK, primarily across the Midlands and surrounding areas. A mileage allowance is provided for all business travel.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement and support enterprise network infrastructure.
• Deploy, configure and maintain high-performance routing and switching environments.
• Configure and support NVIDIA Mellanox Ethernet switches running Cumulus Linux, including MSN2100, MSN2201 and MSN3420 platforms.
• Install, configure and support Cisco Catalyst 9300 switching platforms.
• Configure, administer and troubleshoot Cisco Firepower 2100 Series appliances running Firepower Threat Defence (FTD).
• Deliver customer-site installations, upgrades, preventative maintenance and technical health checks.
• Diagnose and resolve complex routing, switching, firewall and connectivity issues.
• Produce high-quality technical documentation, including implementation plans, network diagrams and operational procedures.
• Work directly with customers to understand technical requirements and deliver effective networking solutions.
• Participate in planned maintenance windows and occasional out-of-hours activities where required.

What We’re Looking For

Our client is looking for a highly experienced Network Engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and working directly with customers.

You will be confident leading technical discussions, comfortable operating independently and committed to delivering high-quality engineering solutions within secure environments.

You should have

• Extensive experience designing, implementing and supporting enterprise network infrastructure.
• Expert knowledge of routing and switching technologies.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent customer-facing communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within secure or cryptographic environments.

Strong Knowledge Of

• BGP
• OSPF
• VLANs
• VRRP / HSRP
• Spanning Tree
• Quality of Service (QoS)
• Multicast
• IPv4 / IPv6
• High Availability networking

Core Networking Knowledge

• Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Mellanox Ethernet switches running Cumulus Linux.

Modern Data Centre Networking Technologies, Including

• EVPN
• VXLAN
• MLAG
• Leaf‑Spine architectures

Desirable Skills & Experience

Additional experience in any of the following would be advantageous

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Ansible.
• Linux systems administration.
• VMware ESXi administration.
• Network automation and configuration management.

Monitoring, logging and network performance analysis tools.

• Git-based configuration management.
• Supporting secure or air‑gapped environments.
• Relevant professional certifications such as CCNP Enterprise, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, NVIDIA Networking, or equivalent.

Ideal Ex‑Military Backgrounds

This opportunity could be particularly well suited to former Armed Forces personnel who have developed advanced networking and communications expertise within secure or operational environments.

Relevant backgrounds may include

• Royal Signals – CIS, network engineering and communications specialists.
• RAF – Cyberspace Communication Specialists and personnel with secure network infrastructure experience.
• Royal Navy – CIS and Weapons Engineering personnel with relevant networking expertise.
• Defence personnel who have supported secure, deployed or mission-critical communications infrastructure.
• Service leavers or veterans with experience of cryptographic, classified or air‑gapped network environments.

What’s on Offer

• Flexible working culture and flexible working hours.
• 25 days' annual leave, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• 10% employer pension contribution.
• Health Cash Plan for employees and eligible family members.
• Benefits platform including Cycle to Work, technology purchase schemes and retail discounts.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Two annual bonus opportunities, subject to company performance.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Recruitment referral bonus.
• Reservist leave.
• Modern office facilities with complimentary refreshments.
• Smart casual "Dress for Your Day" policy.
• Free parking or parking reimbursement.
• Company social events and annual training days.

Security & Travel Requirements

Due to the sensitive nature of the work, applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and STRAP access.

Candidates who already hold active DV clearance are highly encouraged to apply.

A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively throughout the UK are essential.