We're looking for a Principal Network Engineer/Architect to lead the design, implementation, and operation of the Home Office's critical Datacentre and edge network capabilities. You'll deliver secure, scalable, and future-proof solutions across on-premises systems, private clouds, and public platforms such as AWS and Azure.
In this senior role, you'll work closely with multi-disciplinary teams, suppliers, and third-party providers to ensure our networks are reliable, high-performing, and secure. You'll define engineering best practices, oversee network projects, manage supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement across our services.
You'll also shape the strategic and tactical roadmap for Data Centre technologies, embedding Secure by Design principles, ensuring operational excellence, and leading teams to deliver network solutions that meet regulatory, contractual, and organisational standards.
This is your chance to make a real impact on critical government infrastructure, influencing the future of digital services that affect millions of people.
What you will do
* Lead internal teams, suppliers and departments in the design, implementation, administration and support of network solutions and services
* Provide support to make sure that solutions and services are designed with security controls embedded, specifically engineered as mitigation against security threats
* Ensure that the right actions are taken to investigate, resolve and anticipate network problems, coordinating teams to investigate issues, implement solutions and establish preventative measures
* Identify the correct procedures and appropriate channels for resolution and monitor resolution activities and progress updates to users
* Establish standards and procedures across a service lifecycle including the development lifecycle and ensure that engineers adhere to this. You will manage resources to ensure that the networks integration function works effectively
* Provide authoritative advice and guidance on test planning and identify network improvements to determine standards and best practice
What you will bring
* Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) or equivalence in one or more of the following areas: Routing & Switching, Data Centre, Service Provider
* Core technical concepts, switching, routing, firewalling, load balancing, segmentation and network security
* Key engineering principles and standards, and the ability to inspire others to follow these
* Managing and delivering complex technologies within time, cost and quality targets
* Ensuring all solutions are robust, resilient and appropriately implemented, secured, tested and documented
* Presenting verbal and written information clearly and accurately in language which is appropriate for different channels and which meets the needs of the user
* Advising on future technology changes and innovations and defining best practice for network improvements and information security
* Significant demonstration of experience of leading Network design/implementation and/or operations in large scale Private or Public Sector organisations
Additional Information
This role requires SC clearance. To meet national security vetting requirements, you typically need to have been resident in the UK for at least three years. Unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship.
Your CV and Personal Statement will both be assessed. Your personal statement should clearly evidence your experience against the essential skills, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Make full use of the word count to create a comprehensive and compelling application -
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Information on the Pay Framework Allowance (PFA) -