Network Engineer
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Network Engineer
- Company: Focus Group
- Location: Winchester, England, United Kingdom
- Job Type: On-site
- Category: Infrastructure & Networking
- Date Posted: 2025-08-01
- Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
🚀 Role Summary
- Maintain and evolve enterprise-level networks, supporting both internal and customer deployments
- Troubleshoot and implement network devices across diverse environments
- Collaborate with upstream providers to manage core MPLS infrastructure
- Monitor and respond to system alerts, identifying areas for improvement
- Contribute to ongoing and upcoming projects, providing technical input and expertise
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a proactive mindset, strong technical skills, and a customer-first attitude. The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role and be eager to take on new challenges in a dynamic environment.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Network Device Management: Troubleshoot and implement network devices across various environments, ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime
- MPLS Infrastructure Support: Collaborate with upstream providers to manage core MPLS infrastructure, ensuring reliable connectivity and high availability
- System Monitoring: Monitor network systems and respond to alerts, proactively identifying and addressing potential issues
- Customer Support: Join customer calls and contribute to change advisory board (CAB) processes, ensuring customer needs are met and expectations exceeded
- Documentation Maintenance: Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation for internal and customer use, facilitating knowledge sharing and efficient problem-solving
- Out-of-Hours Support: Participate in out-of-hours changes, patching, and on-call rotations, ensuring 24/7 network availability and minimal disruption to business operations
- Project Contribution: Provide technical input and expertise for ongoing and upcoming projects, driving network evolution and innovation
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a hands-on approach to network management, with a focus on proactive problem-solving and customer-centric support. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional results.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: A relevant degree or equivalent industry experience in networking, computer science, or a related field
Experience: Proven experience (2-5 years) in a network engineering role, with a strong track record of supporting enterprise-level infrastructure
Required Skills:
- Strong knowledge of OSPF, BGP, MPLS, and LDP
- Experience with firewall policies, NAT rules, and switching (STP, LACP, VLANs, QinQ, VRRP)
- Familiarity with tools like Wireshark, PRTG, and SolarWinds
- Hands-on experience with Juniper, Cisco, and Aruba hardware
- Proven ability to manage device lifecycles and patching
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
Preferred Skills:
- JNCIA-Junos or CCNA certification
- Cloud networking experience
- Cisco AnyConnect and remote access solutions
- HPE Aruba Wi-Fi and ClearPass
- Data center hardware installation and patching
- VMware or Azure virtualization
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with relevant certifications and experience in cloud networking, remote access solutions, and virtualization will have a competitive advantage in this role. Focus Group values continuous learning and encourages employees to develop new skills and stay up-to-date with emerging technologies.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
While this role does not require a web portfolio, candidates should be prepared to discuss their previous network engineering projects and provide examples of their problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and customer-centric approach.
Technical Documentation:
- Code quality, commenting, and documentation standards for network configuration files
- Version control, deployment processes, and server configuration management
- Testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques for network infrastructure
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be able to articulate their approach to network documentation, version control, and deployment processes. They should also be prepared to discuss their experience with network testing, performance optimization, and troubleshooting techniques.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £55,000 per year (depending on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
- A dynamic and collaborative work environment
- The chance to work with a diverse range of customers and technologies
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Group offers a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as opportunities for professional development and career progression. The company values diversity and encourages employees to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the team.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Focus Group is an IT service provider specializing in business IT, telecommunications, connectivity, and security solutions across the UK and Europe. As a network engineer at Focus Group, you will play a crucial role in supporting the company's enterprise-level infrastructure and customer deployments.
Company Size: With a team of over 100 employees, Focus Group offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment. As a network engineer, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional results and drive network evolution and innovation.
Founded: Established in 2007, Focus Group has a proven track record of providing high-quality IT services and solutions to customers across the UK and Europe.
Team Structure:
- Network Operations Centre (NOC) team, responsible for supporting and maintaining enterprise-level networks
- IT service desk, providing first-line support to customers and internal users
- Technical support and field engineering teams, delivering on-site support and hardware installation services
- Sales and marketing teams, driving business growth and customer acquisition
Development Methodology:
- Agile project management, with a focus on iterative development and continuous improvement
- Collaborative approach to problem-solving, with regular team meetings and knowledge-sharing sessions
- Customer-centric mindset, with a focus on delivering exceptional customer service and exceeding client expectations
Company Website: The Focus Group
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Group values a collaborative and customer-centric approach to network engineering. As a network engineer at Focus Group, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional results and drive network evolution and innovation.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Network Engineer Career Level: This role is suited to mid-level network engineers with 2-5 years of experience in a similar role. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of supporting enterprise-level infrastructure and a proactive approach to network management.
Reporting Structure: The network engineer will report directly to the network operations manager and work closely with the IT service desk, technical support, and field engineering teams.
Technical Impact: As a network engineer at Focus Group, you will play a crucial role in maintaining and evolving the networks that power the company's business and its customers. Your technical expertise and problem-solving skills will be instrumental in ensuring high availability, optimal performance, and minimal downtime.
Growth Opportunities:
- Senior Network Engineer: With experience and proven performance, network engineers at Focus Group can progress to senior roles, taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior team members.
- Technical Specialist: Network engineers with expertise in specific technologies or customer segments may have the opportunity to specialize and become technical experts in their field.
- Team Leadership: With strong leadership skills and a track record of successful team management, network engineers at Focus Group may have the opportunity to lead teams and drive network strategy and innovation.
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Group offers clear career progression paths for network engineers, with opportunities for professional development and growth in technical, leadership, and specialist roles. The company values continuous learning and encourages employees to develop new skills and stay up-to-date with emerging technologies.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Focus Group's Winchester office offers a modern and collaborative work environment, with open-plan offices and dedicated meeting spaces. The office is located in a convenient location with easy access to public transportation and local amenities.
Office Location(s): Winchester, England, United Kingdom
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Environment: The Winchester office fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with regular team meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and social events.
- Technical Infrastructure: The office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including high-speed internet connectivity, modern hardware, and industry-leading software tools.
- Work-Life Balance: Focus Group encourages a healthy work-life balance, with flexible working hours and a focus on employee well-being.
Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with core hours of 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Network engineers may be required to work out-of-hours to support network maintenance, changes, and on-call rotations.
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Group's Winchester office offers a modern and collaborative work environment, with state-of-the-art technology and a focus on employee well-being. The company encourages a healthy work-life balance and provides flexible working arrangements to support its employees.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your application, experience, and career goals (15-30 minutes)
- Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment, focusing on network configuration, troubleshooting, and problem-solving (60-90 minutes)
- Behavioral Interview: A structured interview to assess your communication skills, customer service experience, and cultural fit (60-90 minutes)
- Final Interview: A meeting with the network operations manager to discuss your technical expertise, career aspirations, and fit within the team (30-45 minutes)
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight your previous network engineering projects and provide examples of your problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and customer-centric approach
- Be prepared to discuss your network documentation, version control, and deployment processes
- Showcase your experience with network testing, performance optimization, and troubleshooting techniques
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on your network protocols, including OSPF, BGP, MPLS, and LDP
- Familiarize yourself with firewall policies, NAT rules, and switching (STP, LACP, VLANs, QinQ, VRRP)
- Practice using network troubleshooting tools like Wireshark, PRTG, and SolarWinds
- Review your experience with Juniper, Cisco, and Aruba hardware, and be prepared to discuss device lifecycles and patching
ATS Keywords:
- Network engineering
- Network device management
- MPLS infrastructure support
- System monitoring
- Customer support
- Network documentation
- Out-of-hours support
- Project contribution
- Network protocols (OSPF, BGP, MPLS, LDP)
- Firewall policies
- NAT rules
- Switching (STP, LACP, VLANs, QinQ, VRRP)
- Network troubleshooting tools (Wireshark, PRTG, SolarWinds)
- Juniper, Cisco, Aruba hardware
- Device lifecycles
- Patching
- Agile project management
- Customer-centric mindset
- Technical expertise
- Problem-solving skills
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Group's interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the team. The company values a collaborative and customer-centric approach to network engineering and seeks candidates who share this mindset.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
While this role does not directly involve web development or web infrastructure, network engineers at Focus Group should be familiar with the following technologies:
Networking Technologies:
- OSPF, BGP, MPLS, LDP
- Firewall policies
- NAT rules
- Switching (STP, LACP, VLANs, QinQ, VRRP)
- Juniper, Cisco, Aruba hardware
Network Troubleshooting Tools:
- Wireshark
- PRTG
- SolarWinds
Version Control & Deployment Tools:
- Git
- Ansible
- Jenkins
Network Virtualization:
- VMware
- Azure
📝 Enhancement Note: Network engineers at Focus Group should be familiar with a wide range of networking technologies, tools, and virtualization platforms. The company values technical expertise and encourages employees to develop new skills and stay up-to-date with emerging technologies.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Network Engineering Values:
- Proactive Problem-Solving: Focus Group values a proactive approach to network management, with a focus on identifying and addressing potential issues before they cause downtime or disruption
- Customer-Centric Mindset: The company prioritizes exceptional customer service and strives to exceed client expectations in every interaction
- Collaboration: Focus Group fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with regular team meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and social events
- Continuous Learning: The company encourages employees to develop new skills and stay up-to-date with emerging technologies
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Network engineers at Focus Group work closely with the IT service desk, technical support, and field engineering teams to deliver exceptional results and drive network evolution and innovation
- Code Review Culture: The company values a collaborative approach to problem-solving, with regular team meetings and knowledge-sharing sessions
- Peer Programming: Network engineers at Focus Group are encouraged to share their expertise and mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Group values a proactive, customer-centric, and collaborative approach to network engineering. The company encourages continuous learning and development and fosters a culture of knowledge-sharing and mentorship.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Network Complexity: Network engineers at Focus Group may face complex network environments, requiring strong technical expertise and problem-solving skills
- Customer Expectations: The company prioritizes exceptional customer service, and network engineers must be prepared to meet and exceed client expectations in every interaction
- Emerging Technologies: Network engineers at Focus Group should be prepared to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and adapt to new tools and platforms as they become available
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Professional Development: Focus Group offers opportunities for professional development and career progression, with clear paths for growth in technical, leadership, and specialist roles
- Conference Attendance: The company encourages employees to attend industry conferences and events, providing opportunities for networking, learning, and professional development
- Technical Mentorship: Network engineers at Focus Group are encouraged to share their expertise and mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development
📝 Enhancement Note: Network engineers at Focus Group face a range of technical challenges, customer expectations, and emerging technologies. The company offers opportunities for professional development, conference attendance, and technical mentorship, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Network Protocols: Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of OSPF, BGP, MPLS, and LDP, and how you have applied these protocols in previous roles
- Firewall Policies & NAT Rules: Demonstrate your understanding of firewall policies, NAT rules, and switching (STP, LACP, VLANs, QinQ, VRRP), and provide examples of how you have configured and managed these settings in previous roles
- Network Troubleshooting: Showcase your network troubleshooting skills, discussing your approach to identifying and resolving network issues, and providing examples of complex problems you have solved in the past
Company & Culture Questions:
- Customer-Centric Mindset: Explain how you have demonstrated a customer-centric mindset in previous roles, and how you would apply this approach at Focus Group
- Collaboration: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams, and how you have contributed to a collaborative and inclusive work environment in previous roles
- Continuous Learning: Discuss your approach to continuous learning and professional development, and how you have stayed up-to-date with emerging technologies in previous roles
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Project Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies of your previous network engineering projects, highlighting your problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and customer-centric approach
- Technical Deep Dive: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your network engineering projects in detail, including network configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization techniques
- Customer Impact: Highlight the impact of your network engineering projects on customer satisfaction, business outcomes, and network performance
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Group's interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the team. The company values a proactive, customer-centric, and collaborative approach to network engineering and seeks candidates who share this mindset.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this network engineer position at Focus Group:
- Submit Your Application: Visit the Focus Group careers page and follow the instructions to submit your application
- Prepare for Phone Screen: Review your application and be prepared to discuss your experience, career goals, and fit within the Focus Group team
- Brush Up on Technical Skills: Refresh your knowledge of network protocols, firewall policies, NAT rules, and switching, and practice using network troubleshooting tools like Wireshark, PRTG, and SolarWinds
- Prepare for Technical Assessment: Familiarize yourself with the network engineering challenges you may face during the technical assessment, and practice solving complex network problems
- Research Focus Group: Learn about the company's history, values, and culture, and be prepared to discuss your fit within the team and the company's long-term goals
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and network engineering industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Focus Group before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have strong knowledge of networking protocols and hands-on experience with relevant hardware. Excellent communication and customer service skills are essential for this role.