Network Engineer - Contract

This is an exciting contract opportunity for a highly skilled Network Engineer, available for remote or hybrid work across the UK or Europe, with an immediate start in the next few weeks. The role focuses on managing, designing, and implementing data centre network operations, alongside providing comprehensive routing, switching, Wi-Fi, and Firewall support for HQ and retail stores. Key responsibilities include troubleshooting, planning changes, scheduled maintenance, and supporting VoIP deployments, requiring in-depth experience with technologies such as Cisco (ACI, Nexus, Catalyst 9K, OSPF/BGP/EIGRP), Meraki, Aruba ClearPass, F5, and Checkpoint. Candidates should possess strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a minimum of CCNP-level Cisco expertise (ideally CCIE for datacentre topology understanding), coupled with a proven track record in a support environment and delivering to SLAs.

What you'll be doing:

• Manage the design/updates, and implementation of data centre network operations
• Routing, switching, Wi-Fi and Firewall support for HQ and all retail stores.
• Troubleshooting Wi-Fi, Firewall and general connectivity support requests from staff.
• Planning and implementing changes.
• Performing scheduled maintenance across the network stack (patches/updates).
• Troubleshooting support requests for network authentication or performance issues.
• Planning, procuring, and implementing new retail store connectivity.
• Creating and maintaining thorough documentation.
• Supporting the deployment of VoIP to all retail stores.
• Configuration management and deployment in the event of hardware replacement or equipment failure.
• Provide escalation support out of hours for emergencies.

What we want from you:

In depth broad experience across the following technologies:

• Cisco - Core network (ACI, Catalyst 9K, Nexus, L2 and L3 switching, routing OSPF/BGP/EIGRP)
• Meraki - Edge Network & Wi-Fi (including site to site VPN via MX200/250/400, switch stack management, L2 and L3 switching)
• Aruba - Authentication (ClearPass)
• F5 - Load balancing
• Checkpoint - HQ and Cloud Firewall (including site to site VPN)
• Experience working in a support environment
• Experience troubleshooting/configuring and installing various network devices
• Understanding of major routing protocols including BGP, and interactions between datacentre and WAN networks
• Experience performing network maintenance/upgrades and security configurations
• Design level experience to understand datacentre topology
• Excellent problem solver
• Experience delivering to SLAs and deadlines
• Experience with routing and switching (Cisco, minimum CCNP level to support existing equipment, ideally CCIE to cover datacentre topology)
• Able to work under pressure
• Strong Communication skills, able to speak to a wide range of audiences (technical and non technical)

What we can offer you:

Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we'll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We'll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.

We offer a great benefits package including a discretionary bonus scheme, training opportunities, competitive pension, medical insurance, life assurance, social events, opportunities to buy and sell holidays, family friendly policies, discounts with hundreds of retailers and much more.

Our personality and behaviours: We believe that we are what we do, not just what we say. Our shared values and behaviours show how to bring the VML Enterprise Solution's culture to life through the actions we all take every day:

• Connect Meaningfully
• Inspire Creatively
• Include Purposefully
• Approach Positively

Our brilliant, talented people are what makes VML Enterprise Solutions what we are. That's why we look for people who go beyond and always push our thinking to be better than yesterday.