CNI Network Engineer

National Grid is hiring a CNI Network Engineer for our CNI Operations team. This role is based at our Warwick office, with hybrid working (1 day per week on-site). You'll play a key role in designing, developing and supporting secure, scalable network platforms that underpin critical operations across our enterprise., Step into a role where your work truly keeps the country connected. As a CNI Network Engineer within National Grid's CNI Operations Team, you'll be at the heart of designing, implementing and optimising the critical networks that power our most essential services.

You'll take ownership of a diverse and high-impact technical landscape - from LAN and WAN to WLAN and data centre networks - ensuring our platforms deliver the reliable, secure and low-latency connectivity that our organisation depends on every single day.

If you love getting hands-on with cutting-edge network technology, thrive on solving complex technical challenges, and want to play a key role in shaping and improving our network services, this is the place for you. You'll contribute to major network projects, drive continuous improvements, and help strengthen the resilience of systems that keep society moving.

Join us and make a real difference on a national scale.

What You'll Do

As a CNI Network Engineer, you'll play a key role in shaping, securing and optimising the networks that keep our critical operations running. Your work will have real impact every day. You will:

• Design, build and support high-performance LAN, WAN, WLAN and data centre networks that deliver fast, secure and reliable connectivity.
• Work hands-on with core networking technologies, including routing, switching, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs and advanced protocols such as BGP and OSPF.
• Optimise and strengthen our infrastructure by performing upgrades, installing patches and enhancing stability, resilience and performance.
• Configure and maintain network hardware and security tools, including routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs and load balancers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues, restoring services quickly and preventing future incidents.
• Collaborate with security teams and architects to enforce strong access controls, segmentation and compliance standards.
• Monitor network performance, proactively identifying improvements and keeping our environments running smoothly.
• Contribute to major projects and network enhancements, bringing fresh ideas, new technologies and continuous improvement to the team., We don't generate or sell energy: instead, we join the dots that take it from A to B. At the backbone of industry and the heart of daily life, we take this vital force where it's needed most. As a Graduate, you'll join us as we tackle increasingly complex - and important - challenges, with real responsibility, comprehensive training and the power to change things, from day one., At Undergraduate level, we offer a 12-week Summer Internship or a 12-month Industrial Placement. Both will provide you with in-depth, on-the-job experience, working at the forefront of our far-reaching business. That could include anything from assisting with the development of new network designs to supporting high-profile construction projects., We currently run an 18-month Graduate Programme, as well as a 3-year Finance Graduate Programme. Each is made up of three advanced placements, where you'll tackle issues that will define the future of our network. As well as Finance, that could mean specialising in Engineering & Technical, Non-Technical & Commercial or Business Support.

You're a network engineer who thrives in complex, high-impact environments. You enjoy solving challenging technical problems, improving network performance, and contributing to the resilience of critical national infrastructure. You bring strong hands-on experience, a proactive mindset and the confidence to collaborate across teams., * Hands-on expertise with VMware NSX and VMware VCF - you understand software-defined networking, micro-segmentation, virtual network design and private cloud networking, and can apply NSX in real-world, high-security environments.

• Strong networking fundamentals - fluent in TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, switching and IP addressing, with experience across Cisco networking technologies to deliver secure and scalable solutions.
• Advanced routing & switching expertise - including BGP, OSPF and EIGRP, with the ability to support multi-site, high-availability environments.
• Security-focused mindset - familiar with firewalls, VPNs, wireless/WLAN, MPLS/SD-WAN and modern network security practices.
• Exceptional troubleshooting skills - able to diagnose and resolve complex issues methodically, even under pressure during major incidents.
• Clear, confident communication - capable of translating complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders., Each role at National Grid requires specific skills - and we look for people who can contribute their own ideas and way of thinking. However, there are some qualities that tie us together. The world of energy is constantly evolving: we need people with the spark, adaptability and drive to keep people connected. If you're passionate about the future of our industry - and excited by the prospect of changing it - then you could be right for National Grid.

• West Midlands; Birmingham; Coventry; Stoke-On-Trent; Wolverhampton; Telford; Walsall; Hereford; Worcester; Tamworth; Nuneaton
• Permanent
• Published: 1 day ago
• Competitive, * Competitive Salary: circa £48,000 - £60,000 per annum (based on capability, and experience)

Additional benefits:

• A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%
• You will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance
• Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes
• Access to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness
• Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid provides the environment that allows us to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a CNI Network Engineer, and find your superpower., National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team. At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the unique differences people bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation that comes with having diverse teams and business need. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and provide a working environment where everyone feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential., We're National Grid: we bring power to people. From heating up homes to keeping the lights on in hospitals, the energy we deliver makes the everyday possible. Now, you can help us, as we shape the future of millions and build the hi-tech networks of tomorrow.