At a Glance
- Tasks: Own the technical solution for a complex, multi-site data network and lead major incidents.
- Company: Join one of the UK's top communications and technology businesses with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, private healthcare, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: World-class training and career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-pressure environment while developing your technical skills.
- Qualifications: Strong hands-on experience with Aruba, Cisco, and Palo Alto in a managed services setting.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
10% Pension + Company Car or £5,500 Car Allowance
Private Family Healthcare + Share Equity + Life Assurance
Sole UK passport holder required (no dual nationality). SC clearance is preferred; eligibility for SC will also be considered.
The Role In a Nutshell
Own the end-to-end technical solution for one of the UK's most demanding enterprise managed service customers. This is a dedicated, third‑line senior network engineering role on a complex, multi‑site data network. You'll be the technical voice the customer trusts during major incidents, the engineer who finds ways to improve the network and save money, and the person calm enough to stand the technical line when something sits outside scope.
The Business
One of the UK's most established communications and technology businesses, serving large enterprise and public‑sector customers with mission‑critical networks, voice and managed services. With significant annual investment in research and development and a substantial UK engineering workforce, this business has the scale, the technology and the customer base to take on the country's most complex programmes. The business invests genuinely in career development, world‑class training, and the kind of work that accelerates a technical career.
The Role
You'll be the dedicated third‑line technical owner for a complex, high‑pressure enterprise customer running a multi‑site data network. Aruba is the primary platform with pockets of Cisco across the wider estate, and Palo Alto runs the security layer. You'll lead the troubleshooting, drive in‑life technical improvements, and be the engineer the customer asks for by name when a major incident hits. This is a hands‑on operational role, not a network design role. Solutions Architects and Customer Success Managers act as wider stakeholders while you hold the technical line end‑to‑end. You'll be expected to push back professionally when a request sits outside scope, and equally to find creative ways to improve the network, reduce cost, and pre‑empt issues before they reach the customer. This is a senior role. You'll be measured on technical depth, troubleshooting credibility, and the composure you bring into a hot incident.
Skills & Experience
- Strong, hands‑on Aruba experience across enterprise data networking (primary platform on this account)
- Solid Cisco background to support the wider environment
- Palo Alto experience for the security layer of the network
- Demonstrable third‑line / senior engineer experience in a 24/7 managed services environment
- Confident leading major incidents and articulating troubleshooting steps end‑to‑end
- Comfortable acknowledging when you don't immediately know an answer, then taking a structured route to one (consult the team, apply vendor‑registered knowledge, demonstrate depth around the topic)
- Customer‑facing credibility: calm under pressure, able to put a demanding client at ease
- Vendor accreditation to at least Professional standard
- Strong working knowledge of ITIL practices
The following would be an advantage
- Existing SC clearance OR Sole UK passport holder (no dual nationality), eligible to obtain SC clearance
Your Responsibilities
- Own the end‑to‑end technical solution across the customer's data network (Aruba primary, Cisco, Palo Alto)
- Lead major incidents, providing direction, troubleshooting and customer‑facing communication through to resolution
- Pre‑empt risks and engineer‑out recurring issues before they impact the customer
- Identify innovations that improve the network and save the customer money
- Build trust with customer technical and operational stakeholders
- Work alongside Solutions Architects and Customer Success Managers as wider account stakeholders while owning the technical line
- Stand the technical line when a request sits outside the agreed scope, articulating clearly and professionally
- Maintain operational excellence aligned to ITIL practices
- Document and continuously improve operational runbooks for the customer's environment
Other Skills Required
- Composure Under Pressure – stays calm in major incidents and demanding customer moments, keeps the room steady, never lets pressure show
- Customer Confidence – puts a demanding client at ease, communicates clearly, and earns trust through demonstrated technical depth
- Honest Troubleshooting – comfortable acknowledging an unknown then taking a clear, structured route to the answer
- Commercial Curiosity – looks beyond ticket close‑out for ways to improve the network, reduce cost, and add value the customer didn't ask for
- Professional Pushback – strong enough technically and personally to advise when a request is genuinely outside scope, without damaging the relationship
Benefits
- 15% annual bonus
- Company car or £5,500 per annum cash allowance
- Private healthcare for self and family
- Share equity and share‑save scheme
- Life assurance
- Generous annual leave with bank holidays
- Family‑friendly leave policies
- World‑class training and development opportunities
Senior Network Engineer | Aruba | Palo Alto in Birmingham employer: Jarvis King
As a Senior Network Engineer at one of the UK's leading communications and technology firms based in Palo Alto, you'll be part of a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and employee development. With a strong commitment to career growth, world-class training, and a comprehensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, private healthcare, and share equity, this company offers a rewarding environment for those looking to make a significant impact in a high-pressure role. Join a team that values technical expertise and fosters a supportive atmosphere where your contributions are recognised and appreciated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Network Engineer | Aruba | Palo Alto in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get in touch with folks in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them. A personal introduction can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews like it's a major incident! Research the company, understand their tech stack, and be ready to discuss how your experience with Aruba, Cisco, and Palo Alto can add value. Show them you’re the calm voice they need during high-pressure situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly! If you see a company you love, send them a message expressing your interest. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from being proactive rather than waiting for the perfect job ad.
✨Tip Number 4
When you get an interview, think about how you can demonstrate your troubleshooting skills. Prepare examples of past incidents where you’ve successfully resolved issues under pressure. This will show them you have the composure and expertise they’re looking for!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Network Engineer | Aruba | Palo Alto in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Network Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Aruba, Cisco, and Palo Alto, and don’t forget to showcase your troubleshooting skills and customer-facing credibility.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle major incidents and improve network performance.
Showcase Your Technical Depth:In your application, be sure to highlight your technical depth and any vendor accreditations you hold. This will help us see your credibility as a senior engineer and your ability to lead in high-pressure situations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jarvis King
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of Aruba, Cisco, and Palo Alto technologies. Brush up on your hands-on experience and be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've successfully troubleshot complex network issues.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Since this role involves leading major incidents, practice how you would handle high-pressure situations. Think of examples where you maintained composure and effectively communicated with clients during crises.
✨Demonstrate Customer-Facing Skills
Prepare to showcase your ability to build trust with demanding clients. Have anecdotes ready that highlight your customer service skills, especially in challenging situations where you put the client at ease.
✨Be Ready for Professional Pushback
Understand the importance of setting boundaries when requests fall outside the agreed scope. Prepare to articulate your reasoning clearly and professionally, ensuring you maintain a positive relationship with stakeholders.
