Senior Specialist Engineer - Networks

In this role you will lead the design and ongoing evolution of UKHSA's network, acting as a senior technical authority and architect. You will ensure resilient, secure, and high-performance connectivity across LAN/WAN/WLAN and cloud integrations, guiding cross-functional incident response and architecture artefacts. You’ll partner with the Network Manager to align network services with mission-critical objectives and drive technical leadership during major incidents. The opportunity combines strategic design with hands-on delivery in a hybrid, security-conscious environment.

• hybrid working model
• flexible working arrangements
• salary range 56,185–70,566 per year
• market pay supplement 6650 per annum up to 01/02/27
• opportunity to influence core infrastructure
• on-call and out-of-hours service participation

• Own and maintain the network architecture and artefacts (HLD/LLD/topology, As-Built)
• Lead design, implementation and lifecycle of resilient, secure network infrastructure (LAN/WAN/WLAN/cloud)
• Act as primary technical authority during major incidents, coordinating cross-disciplinary resolution
• Provide guidance and training to improve services for end users
• Support procurement and delivery of hardware/software for efficient, cost-effective networks
• Produce and maintain design documentation (HLD/LLD/As-Built) across estate and cloud programmes
• Lead monitoring, performance, capacity management, and integration with ITSM/SOC tools
• Drive network automation and infrastructure as code (Ansible, Python)
• Manage vendor relationships, lifecycle planning and PoCs
• Contribute to change and incident management processes and CAB activities

• Formal technical qualification equivalent to CCNP level or above, or substantial senior network engineering experience
• Experience producing and maintaining network architecture artefacts (HLD/LLD/topology/As-Built) across enterprise LAN/WAN/WLAN and security environments
• Ability to lead or contribute to network architecture initiatives and ensure security-by-design alignment
• Significant experience acting as a senior technical authority during major incidents (MIRT) with RCA and PIR
• Experience in monitoring, performance optimisation, capacity planning and resilience for large user populations
• Excellent written, verbal, reporting and presentation skills across technical and non-technical audiences

• communication
• leadership
• stakeholder management
• Network architecture design (HLD/LLD) and documentation
• LAN/WAN/WLAN design and cloud connectivity
• Security architectures (Palo Alto NGFW, Zero Trust, VPN, micro-segmentation)