Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Network Engineer to join our growing IT infrastructure team. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining large Layer 2 (L2) and Layer 3 (L3) networks. This role requires hands-on experience with dynamic routing protocols, firewall management, and network automation at scale. The successful candidate will have experience leading transformative projects, implementing best practices for networking, and maintaining detailed documentation of all network activities. This role also requires ad-hoc travel to remote data centres and offices for on-site audits and support.

The Team

Our experienced team of specialists in multiple areas is focused on collaborating and learning in a dynamic environment, and it thrives on collaboration and open communication. We collaborate closely with every department to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions that empower them to succeed and produce their work faster and better. We are excited to embrace a fast-paced, iterative development approach that keeps us all challenged and engaged. We always look for ways to improve our processes and deliver value quickly.

Responsibilities and Duties

Network Design and Implementation:

  • Design, implement, and support large-scale L2/L3 networks, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance.
  • Implement and manage centrally controlled Wi-Fi solutions such as Cisco Meraki or other enterprise-grade wireless platforms.
  • Configure and troubleshoot dynamic routing protocols like BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) and OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) to ensure optimal network performance and redundancy.

Firewall Management and Security:

  • Configure and maintain firewall rulesets to ensure network security across multiple sites and cloud environments.
  • Regularly review firewall policies to ensure consistent and optimized rule enforcement across the network.
  • Work with security teams to mitigate threats and ensure the overall integrity of the network infrastructure.

Automation and Configuration Management:

  • Confidently design and implement network automation solutions using tools such as Ansible or Python to manage large-scale configurations and reduce operational overhead.
  • Implement automated workflows for network provisioning, configuration changes, and incident detection to improve efficiency and minimize downtime.

Network Monitoring and Performance Management:

  • Utilize network monitoring tools to measure performance, spot potential issues, and troubleshoot bottlenecks in real time.
  • Regularly audit and analyse network traffic to ensure optimal throughput, latency, and availability.
  • Develop and implement network performance metrics and dashboards for proactive monitoring.

Project Leadership and Transformation:

  • Lead end-to-end network transformation projects, including gathering business requirements, evaluating market solutions, selecting vendors, and delivering on-time implementation.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess network needs and deliver solutions that align with organizational goals.
  • Provide technical expertise during network upgrades, migrations, and large-scale deployments.

Hands-On Engineering and Troubleshooting:

  • Be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the network, including hardware installations, cabling, and configuration tasks.
  • Take a proactive, hands-on approach to diagnosing and troubleshooting complex network issues, ensuring fast resolution.
  • Be willing and capable of getting directly involved in any hands-on tasks as needed to ensure network uptime and quality.

Documentation and Asset Management:

  • Maintain comprehensive network documentation, including topologies, configurations, and asset inventories.
  • Ensure that all network changes, additions, and updates are meticulously recorded for future reference and audits.
  • Implement and maintain robust asset management systems to track all networking equipment, including routers, switches, firewalls, and cabling.

Candidate Profile

Essential skills

  • Extensive Network Design & Management Expertise: Proficient in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting large-scale L2/L3 networks, including dynamic routing (BGP, OSPF), VLANs, trunking, and inter-VLAN routing. Experience with centrally managed Wi-Fi solutions (e.g., Cisco Meraki, Aruba).
  • Strong Security & Firewall Proficiency: Skilled in configuring and managing firewalls like Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, or open-source options like pfSense.
  • Network Automation & Monitoring: Hands-on experience with network automation and configuration management tools like Ansible, Python, scripting, and monitoring platforms like SolarWinds and Nagios. Demonstrated ability to diagnose, analyse, and resolve network issues effectively.
  • Proven Project Management & Collaboration Skills: Capable of leading large-scale network projects from inception to completion, maintaining meticulous documentation, and collaborating effectively with cross-functional IT teams.
  • Deep Networking Experience & Certifications: 5+ years of practical network engineering experience, including design, implementation, and troubleshooting. Holds relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, Arista, Juniper) and is willing to travel for on-site support. Comfortable working remotely and supporting globally distributed teams.

Desirable skills

  • EVPN
  • ECMP
  • Scaling non-blocking networks
  • Novel network topologies (Torus, hypercube, Dragonfly etc)
  • Network congestion management

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance and health cash plan, a dental plan, pension (matched up to 5%), life assurance and income protection. We have a generous parental leave policy and an employee assistance programme (which includes health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support). We offer a range of healthy food and snacks at our central Bristol office and have our own barista bar! We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we’re committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.

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