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