Network Engineer

Core is a high-growth Microsoft Managed Services Provider (MSP) delivering modern technology solutions across Azure, Microsoft 365, Security, and Modern Workplace. We specialise in providing a wide range of services, solutions and software to optimise our clients’ Microsoft investments. Our customers trust us to help them unlock productivity, reduce risk, and transform their businesses through technology.

We live by our CORE values: Customers first (we put customers at the heart of what we do and take accountability for our actions), One Core (we recruit, develop and retain great talent in a supportive team environment), Responsive (we’re flexible, approachable and responsive to customer needs), and Expertise (we’re proudly professional and continuously strive for excellence for customers, peers and partners).

Role overview

We are looking for a Network Engineer or Junior Network Engineer to join our network team.

The role covers network support, incident response, troubleshooting, firewall and VPN administration, LAN and Wi-Fi support, physical network installations, and project work for new sites and infrastructure changes.

This is a hands-on role in a multi-vendor environment, suitable for someone with good networking fundamentals who wants to develop further across enterprise networking, security and cloud connectivity.

The main working language is English. The candidate must be able to communicate, read technical documentation and perform day-to-day duties in English.

Main responsibilities

• Support and maintain the company's network infrastructure across cloud and on-premises environments.
• Monitor the network and respond to incidents and service requests.
• Troubleshoot network, connectivity, firewall, VPN, LAN, Wi-Fi and physical layer issues.
• Configure and maintain firewalls, switches, wireless networks, VPNs and WAN connectivity.
• Support site-to-site VPN connectivity with cloud providers, third-party partners and remote offices.
• Support SD-WAN and WAN connectivity across multiple locations.
• Take part in network projects, office deployments, migrations and infrastructure upgrades.
• Install, replace and maintain network hardware including firewalls, switches, wireless access points and related equipment.
• Investigate and resolve physical network connectivity issues, including cabling, patching and hardware faults.
• Assist with new office and site deployments, including hardware installation, patching, testing and handover.
• Create and maintain network documentation, diagrams and operational notes.
• Work with third-party suppliers, ISPs and internal teams to deliver changes and resolve incidents.
• Follow change management and implementation processes.

Technical experience

Azure networking

Experience with Azure networking would be beneficial, especially around connectivity and hybrid networking. 

Relevant areas include:

• Virtual Networks, VNETs
• VNET Peering
• Private Endpoints and Private Links
• Site-to-Site VPN
• ExpressRoute
• Virtual WAN, vWAN
• Hybrid cloud connectivity
• Basic Azure routing and network security concepts

Routing and switching

Good understanding of:

• BGP
• OSPF
• VLANs
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking
• STP / RSTP
• LACP / port-channels
• NAT
• DHCP
• DNS
• 802.1X
• RADIUS / NPS
• QoS
• Basic load balancing concepts
• HA concepts such as VRRP, HSRP or firewall failover
  

Firewalls & VPN

Experience with one or more of the following:

• Check Point
• SonicWall
• Cisco ASA
• Cisco Meraki
• Azure Firewall
• VMware VeloCloud

Experience with Fortinet or Palo Alto would be an advantage.

Good understanding of:

• IPsec VPN
• SSL VPN
• Site-to-site VPN tunnels
• IKEv1 / IKEv2
• Firewall policies
• NAT rules
• Network segmentation
• Remote access connectivity
• Troubleshooting VPN tunnel issues

SD-WAN and WAN

Experience or good working knowledge of:

• SD-WAN technologies
• WAN connectivity
• Internet circuits
• VPN-based connectivity
• Multi-site network environments
• Troubleshooting with ISPs and third-party providers

LAN and Wi-Fi

Experience supporting enterprise LAN and wireless networks.

LAN platforms may include:

• Cisco
• Dell
• Meraki
• Juniper
• Juniper Mist
• SonicWall

Wireless platforms may include:

• Ruckus
• Cisco
• Meraki
• Juniper Mist
• SonicWall
• Ubiquiti

Relevant experience includes:

• Switch configuration and troubleshooting
• Access ports and trunk ports
• VLAN assignment
• Wireless SSIDs
• Corporate and guest Wi-Fi
• Basic Wi-Fi troubleshooting
• 802.1X and RADIUS-based authentication

Secure access and Zscaler

Experience with Zscaler would be beneficial, especially:

• Zscaler Internet Access, ZIA
• Zscaler Client Connector
• Web filtering policies
• SSL inspection / TLS inspection
• Cloud App Control
• Forwarding profiles and PAC files
• Troubleshooting user connectivity through Zscaler
• Understanding of Zscaler logs and basic policy troubleshooting

Experience with Zscaler Private Access, ZPA, would be an advantage.

Monitoring and operations

Experience with network monitoring and operational tools would be beneficial, including:

• SNMP
• Syslog
• Network logs
• Alert investigation
• Device availability monitoring
• Performance monitoring
• Incident and change management processes

Hands-on network work

The candidate should be comfortable with practical network tasks, including:

• Installing and replacing network equipment.
• Rack and stack of firewalls, switches and access points.
• Patching network devices.
• Basic structured cabling checks.
• Troubleshooting physical connectivity issues.
• Identifying cabling, patching, SFP, fibre, copper and hardware faults.
• Supporting network installations for new offices and sites.

This is not a structured cabling engineer role, but the candidate should be comfortable investigating physical network faults and working with cabling, patching and hardware during deployments and incidents.

Troubleshooting

The candidate should be able to investigate and resolve network issues in a structured way.

Expected troubleshooting areas include:

• Routing issues
• Switching issues
• Firewall policy issues
• NAT issues
• VPN tunnel issues
• DNS and DHCP issues
• Wi-Fi connectivity issues
• Zscaler user connectivity issues
• Physical connectivity and cabling issues
• ISP and third-party connectivity issues

The candidate should be comfortable using documentation, logs, packet captures and basic network diagnostic tools to support fault finding.

Documentation and project work

• Read and understand technical documentation.
• Create and maintain network documentation.
• Keep network diagrams and operational notes up to date.
• Support the delivery of new office and site deployments.
• Take part in network changes and project work.
• Prepare basic implementation notes and handover documentation.
• Work with internal teams and third-party suppliers during project delivery.

Certifications

Required:

• Valid Cisco CCNA certification.

Desirable:

• Cisco CCNP.
• Microsoft Azure Network Engineer certification.
• Check Point, SonicWall, Fortinet, Palo Alto or other firewall-related certifications.
• Zscaler-related certifications.
• Other relevant networking, security or cloud networking certifications

Language requirements

• English is the main working language.
• The candidate must be able to communicate in English, read technical documentation and perform day-to-day duties in English.

What we are looking for

• Good networking fundamentals.
• Practical troubleshooting skills.
• Hands-on approach to network operations.
• Comfortable working in a multi-vendor environment.
• Willingness to learn and work with different technologies.
• Good communication skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Organised and able to manage day-to-day tasks.
• Practical approach to problem solving.
• Able to stay calm and work through incidents in a structured way.

Required:

• Valid Cisco CCNA certification.

Desirable:

• Cisco CCNP.
• Microsoft Azure Network Engineer certification.
• Check Point, SonicWall, Fortinet, Palo Alto or other firewall-related certifications.
• Zscaler-related certifications.
• Other relevant networking, security or cloud networking certifications.

We offer:

• Flexible remote working arrangements.
• Access to marketing tools and resources to support the fulfilment of your role.
• Supportive, ambitious and entrepreneurial culture where you'll have the freedom to drive ideas, take ownership and make a real impact.
• Two paid leave days per year to volunteer for causes that resonate with Core's values, such as charitable efforts, environmental initiatives, and supporting the next generation in tech.
• English classes with native speakers.
• Multisport card.
• Monthly WFH allowance.
• Catered quarterly & annual social events.