At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise complex Azure and on-premises network infrastructure.
- Company: Leading international law firm with a strong tech focus.
- Benefits: Salary up to £65,000, hybrid work, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: High autonomy, mentoring opportunities, and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Take ownership of network functions and make impactful architectural decisions.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in network engineering with Azure expertise.
Senior networking role at a leading international law firm based in Belfast with a hybrid working model.
Salary: £45,000 - £65,000 + bonus + benefits.
Lead the design and delivery of complex Azure and on-premises network infrastructure. This is a high-impact, high-autonomy position within a 16-strong Infrastructure Services team.
About the Company
Our client is a leading international law firm with a substantial UK presence and offices across multiple locations. Their Infrastructure Services team of 16 engineers operates at the forefront of the firm's technology strategy, working across a complex, hybrid cloud environment. This is a firm that takes infrastructure seriously, invests in its people, and gives its senior technical staff the autonomy to make a real difference.
The Role
This is a senior individual contributor role with genuine ownership and influence. Reporting to the IT Cloud and Platform Network Lead, you will take the lead on designing, implementing, and optimising the firm's network infrastructure across both on-premises and Azure environments. You will be the go-to expert for complex network challenges, setting the bar for security, performance, and scalability across the team. You will partner with developers, data engineers, product owners, and external vendors, with the credibility and technical depth to drive strategy as well as delivery. If you want to own the network function rather than just maintain it, this is the opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, deploy, and maintain enterprise-grade network infrastructure across on-premises and Azure cloud environments.
- Lead cloud architecture planning aligned to organisational strategy, with rigorous adherence to security, scalability, and performance frameworks including CIS and ISO27001.
- Own and enhance cloud network security, including Zero Trust networking principles, cybersecurity tooling, and solution documentation.
- Drive vulnerability management and remediation programmes, ensuring systems are patched and risks are proactively mitigated.
- Configure, optimise, and troubleshoot advanced network technologies including BGP, OSPF, SD-WAN, and network load balancing solutions such as F5.
- Provide senior technical escalation for complex network issues, including server edge connectivity, and maintain records within IT Service Management tooling.
- Implement and oversee proactive monitoring across infrastructure, ensuring reliability and availability through appropriate tooling and processes.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to deliver infrastructure solutions, and ensure robust backup, configuration management, and BCDR protections.
- Lead automation and infrastructure-as-code initiatives using tools such as Terraform, Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS), and Azure Functions.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the team's technical standards, documentation, and ways of working.
What You'll Need
Essential:
- 5+ years of experience in an infrastructure, network engineering, or cloud networking role.
- Strong hands-on expertise with Microsoft Azure networking, including hybrid connectivity and cloud security.
- Deep knowledge of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), SD-WAN, and network load balancing (F5 or equivalent).
- Proven experience with Zero Trust networking principles and cybersecurity frameworks such as CIS or ISO27001.
- Experience with IaC tools such as Terraform and Azure-native services (AKS, Azure Functions).
- Solid understanding of ITIL processes; certification desirable.
- Right to work in the UK.
Desirable / Nice to Have:
- Experience in a professional services or legal sector technology environment.
- Relevant networking or cloud certifications (e.g. CCNP, Azure Network Engineer Associate).
- Exposure to scripting or automation for network management tasks.
Why Apply?
- Salary of £45,000 - £65,000 depending on experience, plus bonus.
- Hybrid working from Belfast ... a genuine work-from-home and office balance.
- Comprehensive benefits package including pension and generous annual leave.
- High degree of autonomy and ownership over a complex, enterprise-scale network.
- Work with a modern Azure-heavy stack and contribute to real architectural decisions.
- Senior visibility within a well-regarded technology function.
- Occasional travel to UK offices with all expenses covered.
Senior IT Network Engineer employer: Ocho People
Ocho People is an excellent employer that fosters a dynamic and supportive work culture in Belfast, perfect for those looking to advance their careers in finance. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer study support alongside competitive salaries and benefits, ensuring our team members thrive both professionally and personally in a fast-paced environment.
