Senior Network Engineer: Sponsorship Available

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer ready to lead in designing & securing enterprise-scale infrastructure that underpins frontline NHS services.

You will lead the support, design and continual improvement of core network infrastructure across the Trust. This is a hands-on senior technical role within a specialist team, where you will be the subject matter expert for networking, connectivity & firewall security.

The successful candidate will bring extensive 3rd and 4th line experience across LAN/WAN, MPLS, firewalls, routing and switching, along with knowledge of Azure networking. There is split of 70/30 between project delivery & business-as-usual support, providing the opportunity to influence future network design while maintaining resilient and secure services for critical clinical systems.

It is essential you hold a CCNA, CCNP or equivalent networking qualification, along with an ITIL Foundation certificate.

Based primarily at Bath Road, Reading, this is a fully site-based role requiring regular travel across Berkshire. Due to the operational nature of the infrastructure, home working is not available. Core working hours are Monday to Friday, 9-5 with participation in an out-of-hours rota required.

If you are passionate about delivering secure, reliable network infrastructure & want to make a meaningful impact within healthcare, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

  • Proactively maintain and enhance the Trust’s core network infrastructure including LAN/WAN, MPLS, firewalls, routers, switches, loadbalancers and Azure networking
  • Act as the senior escalation point for complex 3rd/4th line network incidents, undertaking root cause analysis and implementing permanent solutions
  • Lead firewall configuration, security improvements and network resilience initiatives
  • Design, review and document high- and low-level network designs to support projects and service development
  • Ensure all network changes follow ITIL processes including incident, problem and change management
  • Support disaster recovery planning,testing and business continuity arrangements
  • Collaborate with architects, security teams and third-party suppliers
  • Mentor colleagues and contribute to continual service improvement
  • Participate in an out-of-hours support rota and travel across Berkshire sites as required

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or significant equivalent experience.
  • CCNA, CCNP or equivalent level of knowledge
  • Foundation Certificate in ITIL Service Management

Desirable

  • Foundation Certificate in PRINCE2 project management techniques

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of continuous personal and professional development

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience as a Network engineer level (Level3)
  • Extensive experience in IT support environment
  • Experience of providing diverse services to multiple customers within a large multi-faced, multi-site organisation

Desirable

  • Previous experience with HP Networking

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed technical understanding of the theory and practice of networking; OSI model, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN, Firewalls, Routers and switches
  • Advanced knowledge of firewall design and configuration across multiple vendors
  • Experience with Azure networking
  • Understanding potential security risks is essential.
  • Ability to work to deadlines and act under pressure
  • Self-motivated and corporate Team player

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed technical understanding of the theory and practice of networking; OSI model, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN, Firewalls, Routers and switches
  • Advanced knowledge of firewall design and configuration across multiple vendors
  • Experience with Azure networking

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 03 June 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.