Network Engineer

Network Engineer – Onsite | Inside IR35 | NPPV3 Cleared

We\’re seeking a highly capable Network Engineer to support a secure, high-availability environment for a critical UK public sector programme. This role sits within a technically mature infrastructure team delivering network design, build, and operational support across multiple secure sites.

You\’ll be joining an environment where reliability, scalability, and compliance are non-negotiable. The successful engineer will play a central role in shaping and maintaining the organisation\’s LAN architecture, ensuring resilience, performance, and security throughout the network estate.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure LAN infrastructures across multiple physical locations
• Configure and manage FortiGate firewalls, including rule sets, VPNs, and policy optimisation
• Deploy, integrate, and manage Cisco LAN switches to enterprise standards
• Lead the build-out of new LAN environments from scratch, including configuration, testing, and documentation
• Conduct proactive performance monitoring, capacity planning, and incident response
• Collaborate closely with infrastructure, security, and project delivery teams to ensure seamless service transitions
• Support audits, compliance checks, and vulnerability remediation within secure networks

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in enterprise networking with a strong focus on FortiGate firewalls and Cisco switch configuration
• Hands‑on experience designing and deploying LAN environments (from greenfield through to production)
• Excellent understanding of routing, switching, VLANs, subnetting, VPNs, and network segmentation
• Strong knowledge of network security principles, high‑availability design, and resilience planning
• Experience working within secure or regulated environments (Public Sector, Defence, or similar)
• Ability to produce detailed technical documentation and handover materials

Clearance Requirement

• Active NPPV3 clearance is essential for this role (cannot consider applicants without this level).

Contract Details

• Location: Onsite
• Contract Type: Inside IR35
• Duration: Initial 6 months with likely extensions