Customer Solutions Specialist (SC)

The Customer Solutions Specialist (SC) is a technical practitioner within Maintel's Design & Transition function, responsible for the engineering design, build, and delivery of customer solutions across Security & Connectivity platforms including routing and switching, SD-WAN, managed firewall, MPLS connectivity, and associated security architectures.

The role is structured around a "deep specialism, broad capability" model: every Specialist brings hands-on expertise in one or more Security & Connectivity platforms and is expected to actively cross-train and develop capability across the wider portfolio, supporting a flexible team that delivers without dependency on individual specialism. The postholder owns the production of Low-Level Design (LLD) documentation and Master Technical Documents for their assigned programmes, collaborating with peer Specialists where the work crosses specialisms, requires combined expertise, or warrants peer review.

The Specialist builds and configures customer solutions using structured templates stored within Maintel's automated delivery system, contributes to Operational Readiness documentation, and attends customer sites for hardware deployment and on-site troubleshooting. They work as part of a merged engineering team, sharing knowledge, supporting peer problem-solving, and contributing to a collaborative environment where capability grows across all engineers.

Hours per week 37.5

Do you have experience in WAN?, * Hands-on technical expertise in one or more of the following Security & Connectivity platform areas, with a willingness and motivation to actively cross-train into the others: Cisco enterprise routing and switching (IOS-XE, Catalyst, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VRF design) and Cisco Nexus (including VXLAN); Cisco management and security platforms (ACI, Catalyst Centre, ISE, Firepower).

• One or more of the following SD-WAN, switching, and wireless platforms: Meraki SD-WAN (Auto VPN, traffic shaping, policy configuration, Dashboard management); Fortinet Managed Firewall (FortiGate policy management, security zones, VPN setup, fault diagnosis); HP Aruba switching and wireless; or equivalent platforms within the Security & Connectivity portfolio.
• One or more of the following: Extreme Networks switching and wireless platforms (ExtremeCloud IQ management, EXOS-based campus switching, Extreme wireless deployment and configuration); or equivalent vendor platforms within the supported Security & Connectivity portfolio.
• Solid understanding of MPLS topology, L2/L3 VPN design, QoS, and handoff integration with SD-WAN overlay architectures.
• Working knowledge of enterprise security, including next-generation firewall policy design, network segmentation, IPSec/SSL VPN, SASE frameworks, and Secure Connect integration.
• Proven ability to produce detailed, technically accurate LLD documentation and Master Technical Documents to a professional standard, with the rigour and clarity required for customer sign-off.
• Experience building and templating configurations for automated or repeatable delivery, with practical skills in (or developing proficiency in) one or more of the following: Python, Ansible, Cisco NSO, Meraki API, Fortinet REST API, Extreme Networks API, ExtremeCloud IQ API or equivalent automation tooling.
• Confident and credible in customer-facing and project-level meetings, able to present designs, manage technical questions, and contribute professionally to the sign-off process.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and support peer engineers, contributing to shared capability development and providing structured troubleshooting support through a knowledge-sharing approach.
• Strong written communication skills, able to produce runbooks, technical guides, and handover documentation to a high standard.
• Quality-focused and detail-oriented, with a structured approach to design, documentation, and delivery; proactive and self-motivated, committed to continuously broadening technical skills across the Security & Connectivity portfolio through a collaborative approach to knowledge-sharing.
• Comfortable attending customer sites for hardware deployment and on-site troubleshooting, able to work professionally in customer environments and follow site access procedures, with the flexibility and customer-focused approach required to provide remote and on-site support during customer Go Lives, Migrations, and hypercare periods including the composure to lead real-time fault resolution during critical delivery phases.

Pulled from the full job description

• Referral programme
• Employee discount
• Sick pay
• Gym membership
• Free parking
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme, * 25 days holiday, rising to 28 days, plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Enhanced sick pay
• Health care cash plan
• Private medical scheme (self and family)*
• Income protection scheme
• Employee assistance line
• Discounts and cashback on shopping
• Discounted YorkTest home kits
• Free car parking (Blackburn site)

Flex Benefits

• Holiday trading
• Critical illness cover
• ULEV car leasing scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gym membership
• Car breakdown cover
• Will writing service

Compensation

• Annual salary review

• Bonus and commission arrangements*

• Car allowances*

• Recruitment referral scheme

• Various recognition schemes (e.g. long service awards)

• Role Dependent

Working Environment

• Modern offices with collaboration/meeting spaces
• Agile/remote working
• Technology to support agile/remote working
• Free tea, coffee, juices and snacks at offices

Development

• Supported study
• Apprentice schemes
• Levy funded learning opportunities
• Individual development plans

Maintel is a communications managed services provider. We empower our clients across the public and private sector to deliver mission critical services and achieve their workplace, service and customer experience goals. We consult on the design, deploy and manage network infrastructures, platforms and software, including our own, that keep ongoing operations running smoothly and dependably, protecting business as usual, at the same time being flexible enough to adapt. When customer, employee, the general public and regulatory expectations are ever-changing, choose Maintel. We provide progressive, solid solutions that help you succeed in a demanding, dynamic world. A brief history Maintel, founded in 1991 by Tim Mason and Angus McCaffery, started as a small operation providing telephone maintenance contracts. Over the years, we have grown into a major player in communications technology, achieving significant milestones such as floating on the London Stock Exchange in 2004 and completing numerous strategic acquisitions. These acquisitions, including Azzurri Communications and Intrinsic Technology, expanded our expertise in unified communications, cloud, and networking. Today, Maintel continues to transform businesses with cutting-edge solutions like Cloud Contact Centres, Security & Connectivity and Unified Communications, positioning us as a leader in the digital-first era.