Senior Networks Engineer
Job overview
Are you a network expert ready to keep systems connected and secure? We’re seeking a skilled Network Engineer to design, implement, and maintain our critical network infrastructure. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, love solving technical challenges, and want to play a vital role in maintaining a cutting-edge network, we’d love to have you on board!Help us stay connected and drive innovation.
In this role, you’ll manage everything from routing and switching to network security and troubleshooting, ensuring optimal performance across all levels.
You’ll work closely with other teams to resolve issues, implement upgrades, and ensure the stability and efficiency of our network. Your expertise in configuring firewalls, optimizing traffic, and diagnosing complex problems will be key to our success.
Main duties of the job
Your primary responsibility will be to support the deployment and management of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and wireless networks across NCA sites. You will work closely with senior engineers to design network solutions that meet the unique requirements of healthcare environments, ensuring seamless connectivity and optimal performance for clinical and administrative systems.
In addition to network deployment, you will provide technical support to diagnose and resolve network issues and incidents promptly. You will utilise network monitoring tools and troubleshooting techniques to identify root causes and implement corrective actions, minimising disruptions to critical healthcare services and maintaining service level agreements (SLAs).
As a Senior Network Engineer, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to implement network security measures aimed at protecting sensitive healthcare data and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. You will assist in the implementation of security policies, firewall configurations, and access control mechanisms to mitigate risks and safeguard NHS network infrastructure from cyber threats.
Working for our organisation
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.
As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire – to join our team.
In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Educated to degree level in a computing/engineering/technical discipline, or relevant experience with a network related qualification (CCNA)
- Evidence of continued professional development
- CCNP Certified
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Substantial knowledge and experience in data networks and systems
- Specialist knowledge of Cisco Routers and switches
- Knowledge of Cisco WAN/LAN topologies & protocols
- Knowledge of Software Defined Networking (SDA/ACI)
- Knowledge of ITIL and/or service desk methodologies & processes
- NHS and private sector network application knowledge – HSCN
- Knowledge of Network Monitoring Software: SolarWinds Orion, Cisco Catalyst Centre
Experience
Essential criteria- Minimum 2 years' experience working with Cisco Networks
- Firewall experience (such as Cisco, Palo-Alto)
- WiFi experience (Cisco, Aruba etc) Backup and Recovery systems
- Demonstrable experience of in-depth working within a complex enterprise environment using Cisco wired and wireless technologies
- Experience of planning and installing LAN/WAN networks
- Configuration and deployment of Cisco Catalyst Switches e.g 9500/9300/9200 switches and wireless Access Points
- Configuration and deployment of Site-to-Site VPN and RAVPN technologies
- Experience working in Software Defined Network
- Backups, scheduling and prioritising, data and disaster recovery, and business continuity
Skills
Essential criteria- Effective problem-solving skills and ability to solve complex logical faults in an enterprise environment
- Ability to deal with staff at appropriate levels within the Digital Service, its Partner Organisations and with service providers, service users, and external professional bodies
- Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team, able to manage own time and workload
- Ability to travel within the requirements of the post, including transporting appropriate equipment when required
- To be able to plan and implement large scale IT projects in conjunction with IT and non-IT staff
- Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team
We understand the importance of balancing work and home life. We are committed to supporting flexible working for our people wherever possible and all our colleagues are given the opportunity to discuss potential for flexible working. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) serves a diverse population, and each Care Organisation works hard to ensure all services are accessible and fair.
We respect the value of difference. So, our aim is to employ a workforce representative of the communities we serve. Regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, trans status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, all are welcome.
We also warmly welcome interest from serving and ex-personnel, and their relatives. Please identify that you are a member of the armed forces community on your application form to be entitled to a guaranteed interview (subject to essential criteria being met).As a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteed interviews are also available to disabled applicants when essential role requirements have been met.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process, please contact [email protected]
For posts advertised on a fixed term contract basis, we will offer secondments only for NHS appointments. Fixed term contracts will be only be offered for external non-NHS appointments.
In applying for this post, you give the Trust permission to use your data for recruitment purposes.
Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should we receive sufficient applications or if it is filled via the internal redeployment process.
Keep up to date with the latest job opportunities and information across the Northern Care Alliance by following us on Twitter and Facebook: @NCACareersNHS