Senior Network Engineer in London

Job category: Engineering

Job Identification: 1440

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: Band E S2 £51,242 gross per annum

Hours: Full-time/Part-time (minimum 0.8FTE) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK

Apply by: 05/10/2025, 23:55

Due to the requirement of obtaining an enhanced security clearance for this role, we are only able to accept applications from persons who have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years.

About NQCC

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK's national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing. Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.

Our Benefits include a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), a defined benefit pension scheme, and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.

The Role

We have a great opportunity for a Network Engineer to join the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). You will be working alongside scientists, engineers, developers, and experts in quantum technologies, working to enhance the UK's quantum computing capabilities. You will also engage with internal and external stakeholders. The Network Engineer is critical to the delivery of our ambitious technology roadmap for supporting quantum computing advantage for the UK.

The NQCC oversees diverse projects for classical and quantum technologies, aiding quantum computer development in our labs. This involves intricate software, high-performance computing, security, and collaborations. We seek a candidate to optimise network infrastructure and systems, ensuring performance, security, and adherence to best practices. This role requires network expertise, security awareness, and a commitment to staying current. The candidate will manage the NQCC network, serving various IT systems whilst collaborating with multiple teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the NQCC's networking infrastructure, ensuring stable service while aligning with security policies.
• Leading networking projects, coordinating resources and maintaining cyber, network, and data security across all stages.
• Advising stakeholders on networking advancements, managing projects within NQCC's framework, and procuring and implementing new technology for operational enhancement.
• Working with cross-functional teams, maintaining thorough technical documentation, and generating accurate network service reports.
• Collaboration with the benefits and evaluation team will be crucial for project success, promoting positive change and continuous improvement throughout the process.

This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and accountabilities involved in the job. This is not an extensive list, and there may be other duties expected of you, appropriate to the band and level of responsibility of this post.

Person Specification

Prior knowledge of quantum computing is not required for this role. We offer significant development and training opportunities. Applicants for this role should meet the following criteria:

• Experience in managing complex network infrastructures.
• Proficiency in LAN, WAN, VLANs, routing, and switching protocols.
• Familiarity with network monitoring and optimization.
• An analytical mindset for efficient issue resolution, especially under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and ability to work collaboratively.
• Evidence of a strong, practical understanding of cybersecurity, testing tools, authentication, encryption, and cloud services.
• Strong grasp of network security principles, firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and encryption.
• Experience in Linux networking.
• Proficiency in Python, Bash, or PowerShell.

You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas for workshops, conferences, and meetings, when required.

Security Clearance:

Due to the nature of the role and a requirement to support diverse projects, the successful candidate is required to successfully complete national pre-employment control checks to the BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) to fulfil the role. BPSS checks can take between 9-12 working days. Once in post, you will need to successfully complete a Security Check (SC) clearance.

Join us and discover what's possible!

About us UKRI – UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision, ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified, along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.