Lead Network Engineer

Are you an experienced Lead Network Engineer looking for a new opportunity?

Sopra Steria are currently recruiting for Network Engineers with a high level of technical expertise so support with the delivery of a unique solution for the Defence sector, integrating infrastructure and applications within highly secure, mission-critical environments. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a nationally significant project using cutting edge technologies, that few organisations can offer exposure to.

This role will be based on site in Farnborough.

Due to the nature of the client, we are only able to progress with sole British nationals eligible for DV clearance.

What you’ll be doing:

• Deliver expert L2/L3 support for a complex, multi-site enterprise network, resolving incidents and minimising service disruption.
• Configure and maintain Cisco network infrastructure, including switches, routers, and core connectivity services.
• Support and optimise F5 application delivery and load balancing platforms to ensure availability, performance, and resilience.
• Administer Fortinet firewalls and security services, including policy management, VPN configuration, and security compliance changes.
• Execute planned network changes, upgrades, and site deployments while adhering to change control and security standards.
• Update LLDs, technical documentation, and operational procedures, while supporting wider project delivery and continuous improvement activities.

What you’ll bring:

• Strong knowledge of Cisco routing and switching.
• Experience with Cisco firewalls, including Firepower.
• Experience with Fortinet technologies.
• Exposure to F5 and wider network security / DDoS-related tooling.

It would be great if you had:

• Active DV clearance
• Cisco certifications, such as CCNA or CCNP.

If you’re interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent Location: Farnborough Security Clearance Level: Eligible for DV clearance Internal Recruiter: Olly Walker Salary: Up to £65,000 Benefits: £5,400 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.

Although this role is advertised as full-time, we believe that flexibility at work can promote work/life balance, increase your motivation, reduce stress and improves performance and productivity. We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.

Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us?

Sopra Steria’s Aerospace, Defence and Security business designs, develops and deploys digital solutions to Central Government clients. The work we do makes a real difference to the client’s goal of National Security, and we operate in a unique and privileged environment. We are given time for professional development activities, and we coach and mentor our colleagues, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. We foster a culture in which employees feel valued and supported and have pride in their work for the customer, delivering outstanding rates of customer satisfaction in the UK’s most complex safety- and security-critical markets.

• Strong knowledge of Cisco routing and switching.
• Experience with Cisco firewalls, including Firepower.
• Experience with Fortinet technologies.
• Exposure to F5 and wider network security / DDoS-related tooling.

It would be great if you had:

• Active DV clearance
• Cisco certifications, such as CCNA or CCNP.

Although this role is advertised as full-time, we believe that flexibility at work can promote work/life balance, increase your motivation, reduce stress and improves performance and productivity. We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.

Sopra Steria’s Aerospace, Defence and Security business designs, develops and deploys digital solutions to Central Government clients. The work we do makes a real difference to the client’s goal of National Security, and we operate in a unique and privileged environment. We are given time for professional development activities, and we coach and mentor our colleagues, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. We foster a culture in which employees feel valued and supported and have pride in their work for the customer, delivering outstanding rates of customer satisfaction in the UK’s most complex safety- and security-critical markets.