Job Title: Senior Network Engineer – Arista & Automation (Low-Latency DC Focus)
Location: United Kingdom (Remote, with occasional site visits if needed)
Day Rate: £420 - £430 (Inside IR35)
Contract Type: Long-term rolling contract
We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer with a proven background in Arista-based data centre networks and a strong focus on network automation. The successful candidate will join a highly technical environment supporting the design, deployment, and ongoing optimisation of low-latency, high-availability infrastructure across global data centres.
You’ll work with a modern network stack (Arista EOS, CloudVision, Python, Nornir, Ansible) and interface closely with architecture, security, and DevOps teams to drive automation and resiliency in a performance-critical environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the design, deployment, and optimisation of Arista-based data centre networks, with a focus on low-latency and high resilience.
* Configure and troubleshoot BGP, EVPN (VXLAN), and Multicast (PIM, IGMP) in complex enterprise environments.
* Use Arista CloudVision for orchestration, telemetry, and automated configuration management across global environments.
* Build and maintain network automation scripts using Python, Nornir, and Ansible, ensuring repeatability and alignment with infrastructure-as-code practices.
* Support large-scale hardware refreshes and migrations from Cisco to Arista, ensuring minimal downtime in production environments.
* Collaborate with global teams to align network delivery with broader CI/CD pipelines, and implement proactive monitoring and remediation frameworks.
* Provide senior-level L3 support, mentor junior engineers, and drive best practices in operational excellence.
Essential Skills & Experience
* Strong hands-on experience with Arista EOS in complex enterprise or global data centre environments.
* Deep knowledge of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EVPN) and Multicast technologies.
* Demonstrated experience working with Arista CloudVision in both greenfield and brownfield deployments.
* Background in low-latency networks – ideally within financial services or other performance-critical environments.
* Proficiency in network automation using Python, Ansible, Nornir, and version control tools (Git).
* Solid grounding in Layer 2/3 principles, troubleshooting, and production change management.
* Excellent documentation and communication skills; able to work collaboratively across global teams.
Desirable Skills
* Experience with Cisco Nexus platforms (2k–9k) and migrations to Arista.
* Exposure to network security platforms (Palo Alto, Fortinet, F5).
* Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code principles.
* Experience with monitoring tools (SolarWinds, PRTG, Logic Monitor) and SNOW for incident/change management.
* Relevant certifications (CCNP R&S, CCNP DC, PCNSA, ACI Specialist, or CCIE in progress) are a strong plus.