Senior Network Engineer (Contract)
Contract Duration: initial 12 months, extensions likely
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria - Full-time onsite
Rate: £550 - £600/day - Inside IR35
Eligibility Requirements
* Active SC Clearance is mandatory
* Sole UK Nationality required (UK passport only)
* Additional vetting applies; onboarding may take longer than standard processes
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to lead the design and delivery of enterprise network infrastructure for a major secure programme. This is a hands-on, on-site role focused on physical network environments, structured cabling, comms rooms, and Cisco-based network implementations.
You will take ownership of technical design, documentation, and on-site delivery, working closely with engineers, project managers, and suppliers to build resilient, secure IT environments.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead technical design, planning, and on-site implementation of network infrastructure projects
* Design and oversee comms rooms, rack layouts, patching schemes, structured cabling and containment (copper and fibre)
* Produce and maintain High-Level and Low-Level Designs (HLD/LLD) and technical documentation
* Provide technical assurance on containment design, pathways, labelling, and installation standards
* Support configuration, deployment, and troubleshooting of Cisco network equipment (switching, routing, wireless, Firewalls)
* Integrate storage platforms (SAN/NAS) and associated networking
* Plan UPS and power resilience solutions for comms rooms and infrastructure environments
* Conduct site surveys, hardware audits, and implementation assessments
* Ensure solutions meet security, operational, and compliance requirements
* Work with suppliers and third parties on quotes, delivery, and technical coordination
Essential Skills & Experience
* Strong background in enterprise network infrastructure and on-site delivery
* Deep knowledge of structured cabling (Cat5e/6/6a), fibre types, termination standards, and containment
* Hands-on experience with Cisco switching and routing (IOS/NX-OS)
* Understanding of VLANs, routing protocols, DHCP, DNS, wireless and segmentation
* Experience with SAN/NAS connectivity and storage networking
* Knowledge of UPS, power distribution, and environmental requirements for comms rooms
* Ability to interpret and produce technical drawings, schematics, rack elevations and wiring diagrams
* Excellent stakeholder communication and leadership skills
* Active SC Clearance (mandatory)
Desirable Experience
* Experience in secure or regulated environments (defence, government, critical national infrastructure)
* ITSM knowledge (ServiceNow or similar)
* Datacentre best practices (cooling, redundancy, monitoring)
* Certifications such as CCNA/CCNP/CompTIA Network+/Server+ or vendor cabling accreditations
Working Requirements
* Full-time onsite presence in Barrow-in-Furness
* Sole UK nationality (security constraint)
Behaviours & Culture Fit
We're looking for someone who:
* Is approachable and collaborative
* Shares challenges openly and helps solve them
* Has the courage to challenge and innovate
* Asks questions and seeks continuous improvement
* Demonstrates a strong "can-do" delivery mindset