Network Operations Engineer
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
As a Network Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for the availability, performance, and security of managed customer networks. Operating within an MSP environment, the role focuses on hands-on operational support, escalation, and continuous improvement across firewalls, switches, wireless networks, WAN connectivity, and remote access services, with a Fortinet-first approach (FortiGate, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, Fortinet SD-WAN), while supporting multivendor estates where required.
You will play a critical role in ensuring customer networks remain resilient, secure, and aligned with SLA commitments, while supporting change, vulnerability remediation, and lifecycle management., * Monitor network alerts, link health, and performance across customer and internal environments.
- Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve complex connectivity, performance, and line or circuit issues.
- Act as a technical escalation point for network-related incidents within the managed services environment.
- Support incident management and major incident resolution in collaboration with Service Desk, Sec Ops, and third-party providers.
- Own the operational management of firewall platforms, with primary responsibility for FortiGate environments.
- Implement and manage firewall policy changes, VPN configurations (site-to-site and remote access), and security services.
- Plan and execute firewall firmware upgrades and platform maintenance.
- Perform firewall disaster recovery (DR) testing, validating recovery capability and documenting outcomes.
- Ensure firewall and network security configurations align with best practices and customer security requirements.
- Perform scheduled network health checks and preventative maintenance activities.
- Execute approved network changes in line with change and service management processes.
- Communicate planned maintenance windows and anticipated service impact to customers and stakeholders.
- Work with 3rd parties to facilitate hardware replacements, upgrades.
- Remediate network-related vulnerabilities identified by Security Operations or vulnerability management processes.
- Support secure connectivity and Zero Trust principles across customer networks where applicable.
- Work collaboratively across Network Operations, Projects, and Security teams.
- Share knowledge, contribute to documentation, and support team development.
- Stay current with Fortinet, Cisco, and network technologies through ongoing learning and certification.
- Lead customer service review discussions, assessing managed network infrastructure and providing recommendations for optimisation aligned to best practice and emerging technologies.
- Collaborate with the wider team to optimise network monitoring policies and thresholds, identifying trends, reducing false positives, and proactively mitigating recurring alerts.
Requirements
Do you have experience in VPN?, Minimum of one core certification and experience in any of the desirable technologies.
Core / Strongly Preferred
- Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) - Network Security, with hands-on experience using:
- FortiGate
- FortiManager
- FortiAnalyzer
- Fortinet SD-WAN
- Cisco CCNP Enterprise (or equivalent experience), demonstrating a strong foundation in enterprise routing, switching, and troubleshooting within multi-vendor environments.
- Actively working towards Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist (FCSS) in Secure SD-WAN and SASE, aligned to modern managed network services.
Desirable (Not Mandatory)
- Aruba Certified Professional (ACP) in Mobility and ClearPass
- Aruba Certified Expert (ACX) considered a strong advantage
- Barracuda Certified Engineer (BCE) or equivalent experience with CloudGen Firewall and/or Email Security Gateway
- Palo Alto PCNSA / PCNSE certifications or equivalent operational experience
Technical Expertise:
- Demonstrable experience supporting firewalls, switching, wireless, WAN, and remote access in live production environments.
- Strong operational knowledge of Fortinet platforms, particularly firewall policy management, VPNs, firmware upgrades, and fault resolution.
- Experience working in multi-customer MSP environments, managing competing priorities and adhering to SLA commitments.
- Confidence operating within structured incident, change, and maintenance processes.
- Understanding of vulnerability remediation, patching, and security hardening in collaboration with Sec Ops teams.
Professional skills:
- A hands-on engineer who enjoys operational ownership rather than purely design-focused work.
- Methodical, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure during incidents.
- Clear communicator, comfortable liaising with customers, ISPs, and vendors.
- Proactive about improving services, documentation, and operational standards.
- Committed to developing technical depth through certification and real-world experience.
Personal qualities:
- Self-motivated, independent, and proactive
- Passionate about learning and growth
- Team player with a positive, can-do attitude
Benefits & conditions
Pulled from the full job description
- Referral programme
- Childcare
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking
- Free fitness classes, * Life Insurance
- Pension
- Car allowance (subject to role)
- £1000 refer a friend bonus.
- Generous uncapped commission scheme (sales role)
- Profit share bonus scheme (non-sales, subject to T&C's)
- Free will-writing service
- Long Service Awards (financial and time rewards)
- Electric Car Scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Cycle to Work Scheme (salary sacrifice)
- IT Purchase / Loan Scheme
- Financial Wellbeing Tool
- Pension Surgery (consultation with a financial advisor)
- Discount scheme (retail, experience days etc.)
- Navan
- Buying holidays (salary sacrifice)
- Childcare voucher scheme
Health and Wellbeing
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme -for you and your family (Counselling, legal advice, career coaching, financial support)
- Digital GP
- Wisdom Well-Being Platform
- Gym membership contribution
- Gym time
- Yoga -Free onsite yoga
- Eye tests
- Flu jabs
- Fruit basket -per floor stocked weekly
- Mental Health First Aiders
Time off
-
Holidays -above statutory increasing with service, plus 8 bank holidays
-
Birthday benefit -Have your birthday off on us!
-
Enhanced Maternity Pay
-
Enhanced Paternity Pay
-
Compassionate Leave
-
Jury Duty
-
Funeral Leave
-
Volunteering Days
Perks
- Welcome goodie bag.
- Company apparel
- Free staff parties
- Incentives -Competitions and prizes including trips.
- Staff awards
- Culture Team events
Environment
- Free onsite parking
- New refurbed office -Table tennis, table football, games consoles, multi-faith room, fully stocked bar, outdoor eating area, smoking shelter.