Network Engineer – Security Operations at NECSWS

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Network Engineer – Security Operations
Company: NEC Software Solutions (NECSWS)
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Job Type: On-site, Full-time
Category: Network Security & Infrastructure
Date Posted: June 25, 2025
Experience Level: Intermediate to Senior (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Safeguard and manage NECSWS's large network environment, focusing on security, firewalls, vulnerabilities, and patching.
Collaborate with infrastructure teams to automate remediation, analyze Cisco/Palo Alto firewalls, and meet service level agreements (SLAs).
Proactively manage and patch the complete IT systems infrastructure, including the network, web access, VPNs, and firewalls.
Embrace variety, get involved in exciting business activities, and work across different locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving in a large network environment. Candidates should be comfortable working with cutting-edge technology and collaborating with various teams to deliver high-quality solutions.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Network Security & Vulnerability Management:
- Safeguard the network through meticulous security and vulnerability patch management.
- Perform proactive scanning, implement incident response and handling (IRH) remediation, and join threat hunting missions.
Incident Response & Resolution:
- Investigate alerts, respond swiftly to incidents, and provide valuable recommendations.
- Resolve incidents promptly, manage infrastructure capacity, and minimize incidents through proactive problem-solving.
Infrastructure Management:
- Proactively manage and patch the complete IT systems infrastructure, including the network, web access, VPNs, and firewalls.
- Ensure timely service restoration, proactive system monitoring, maintenance, backups, installing patches, upgrades, and strategic infrastructure capacity planning and management.
Collaboration & Communication:
- Collaborate with infrastructure teams, automate remediation, and analyze Cisco/Palo Alto firewalls to meet SLAs, deliver timely projects, and provide high-level technical support.
- Embrace variety, get involved in exciting business activities, and work across different locations.
- Be flexible, covering out-of-hours work and exceeding expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving in a large network environment. Candidates should be comfortable working with cutting-edge technology and collaborating with various teams to deliver high-quality solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Relevant degree or equivalent experience in computer science, networking, or a related field.

Experience:

Relevant experience in large network environments (5-10+ years).
Significant experience patching the complete IT systems infrastructure.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in Cisco ASA/Firepower, Palo Alto/Panorama technologies.
Understanding of network routing protocols.
Self-motivated, excellent communication, and client-facing skills.
Ability to obtain or currently hold relevant security clearances (SC and/or NPPV).

Preferred Skills:

Experience with Pulse Secure, Gemalto/Thales, network automation.
Relevant network qualifications such as CCNA/CCNP.
Experience with network automation and network monitoring tools.
Awareness of recognized security practices and standards.
Knowledge of network monitoring and backup tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with a strong background in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving in a large network environment will be well-suited for this role. Experience with relevant network technologies and certifications such as CCNA/CCNP will be beneficial.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving through case studies or projects.
Showcase proficiency in Cisco ASA/Firepower and Palo Alto/Panorama technologies with live examples or configurations.
Highlight experience in network routing protocols and infrastructure management.

Technical Documentation:

Provide documentation or reports showcasing network security best practices, incident response processes, and proactive problem-solving strategies.
Include any relevant certifications or training in network security and incident response.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should focus on demonstrating their technical skills and experience in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving through their portfolio. Highlighting any relevant certifications or training will also strengthen their application.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (Based on experience and regional market rates)

Benefits:

Private Medical Cover funded by NEC for employees (with the option to add family members at an additional cost).
25 days paid holiday with the option to buy/sell (FTE).
4 x basic salary life assurance cover funded by NEC (with the option to increase cover at an additional cost).
A Group Pension Plan with fantastic employer contributions up to a maximum of 8.5%.
A selection of flexible benefits to suit individual needs.
Free access to LinkedIn Learning with over 15,000 courses covering a huge breadth of subjects.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, with on-call responsibilities and out-of-hours work as required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on regional market rates for network security and infrastructure roles with 5-10 years of experience. Benefits include private medical cover, life assurance, pension plan, and flexible benefits to suit individual needs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: NEC Software Solutions (NECSWS) is part of global tech giant NEC Corporation and works with governments, hospitals, police forces, housing providers, local authorities, and more. They help customers pay financial support faster, speed up treatments for patients, and respond to emergencies in the right way.

Company Size: NECSWS has over 3,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: NEC Corporation was founded in 1896, with NECSWS operating as a subsidiary since 1968.

Team Structure:

The Security Operations team consists of network engineers, security analysts, and incident response specialists.
The team works closely with infrastructure teams, including network, server, and cloud engineers.

Development Methodology:

NECSWS follows Agile methodologies for software development and project management.
The company emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.

Company Website: https://www.necsws.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: NECSWS operates in a diverse and dynamic environment, working with various public services. The company values collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction, providing an excellent opportunity for network security professionals to grow and make an impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Network Security Career Level: This role is at the intermediate to senior level, focusing on network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving in a large network environment. The candidate will be expected to manage and mentor junior team members and contribute to strategic decision-making.

Reporting Structure: The Network Engineer – Security Operations will report to the Security Operations Manager and work closely with other network engineers, security analysts, and infrastructure teams.

Technical Impact: The candidate will play a crucial role in safeguarding NECSWS's network, ensuring high availability, and minimizing security risks. They will collaborate with various teams to deliver high-quality solutions and drive down incident numbers through proactive problem management.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Develop expertise in specific network security domains, such as threat hunting, incident response, or security architecture.
Technical Leadership: Progress to senior or principal network engineer roles, focusing on strategic decision-making, architecture, and team leadership.
Managerial Path: Transition into management roles, overseeing teams and driving strategic initiatives in network security and infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers excellent opportunities for career growth and development within the network security and infrastructure domains. Candidates can specialize in specific areas, take on technical leadership roles, or transition into management positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: NECSWS operates a hybrid work environment, with employees working on-site and remotely as needed.

Office Location(s): Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration: NECSWS encourages cross-functional collaboration between teams, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
Tools & Equipment: The company provides modern tools and equipment, including multiple monitors, to support network engineers in their roles.
Team Interaction: Network engineers work closely with other teams, including infrastructure, development, and project management, to deliver high-quality solutions.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, with on-call responsibilities and out-of-hours work as required.

📝 Enhancement Note: NECSWS offers a hybrid work environment, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing between teams. Network engineers will have access to modern tools and equipment and will work closely with other teams to deliver high-quality solutions.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone/Video Screen: A brief conversation to assess communication skills, cultural fit, and understanding of the role.
Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment focusing on network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving. Candidates may be required to complete a scenario-based task or case study.
On-site Interview: A face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and other team members to discuss the candidate's technical skills, experience, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight experience in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving through case studies or projects.
Showcase proficiency in Cisco ASA/Firepower and Palo Alto/Panorama technologies with live examples or configurations.
Include any relevant certifications or training in network security and incident response.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on network security fundamentals, incident response best practices, and proactive problem-solving strategies.
Familiarize yourself with Cisco ASA/Firepower and Palo Alto/Panorama technologies, network routing protocols, and infrastructure management.
Prepare for scenario-based tasks or case studies, demonstrating your ability to analyze and resolve network security incidents.

ATS Keywords: Network Security, Incident Response, Proactive Problem Solving, Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, Network Routing Protocols, Security Clearances, Network Infrastructure, Infrastructure Management, Technical Support, Agile Methodologies, Hybrid Work Environment, Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, Continuous Learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on assessing the candidate's technical skills, experience, and cultural fit. Candidates should highlight their experience in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving through their portfolio and be prepared for technical assessments and on-site interviews.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Network Security Technologies:

Cisco ASA/Firepower
Palo Alto/Panorama
Network routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, EIGRP)
Security information and event management (SIEM) systems (e.g., Splunk, IBM QRadar)
Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS)
Firewall management and configuration tools (e.g., Panorama, Firepower Management Center)

Infrastructure Management Tools:

Network automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
IT service management (ITSM) tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira Service Management)
Monitoring and alerting tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus)
Backup and recovery tools (e.g., Veeam, Veritas NetBackup)

Collaboration & Productivity Tools:

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Microsoft Teams
Slack
Jira, Confluence

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be proficient in network security technologies, such as Cisco ASA/Firepower and Palo Alto/Panorama, as well as network routing protocols and infrastructure management tools. Familiarity with network automation, monitoring, and alerting tools will also be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Network Security Values:

Proactive Problem Solving: NECSWS values proactive problem-solving and encourages network engineers to anticipate and mitigate potential security threats and incidents.
Continuous Learning: The company fosters a culture of continuous learning, encouraging network engineers to stay up-to-date with the latest security trends and best practices.
Collaboration: NECSWS emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, with network engineers working closely with other teams to deliver high-quality solutions.
Customer Focus: The company is committed to providing exceptional customer service, with network engineers playing a crucial role in ensuring high availability and minimizing security risks.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Network engineers work closely with other teams, including infrastructure, development, and project management, to deliver high-quality solutions.
Code Review Culture: NECSWS encourages knowledge sharing and continuous learning through code reviews and peer programming practices.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: The company fosters a culture of mentoring and knowledge sharing, with experienced network engineers supporting the professional development of junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: NECSWS values proactive problem-solving, continuous learning, collaboration, and customer focus in its network security operations. Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic, cross-functional environment and contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Emerging Threats: Stay up-to-date with the latest security trends and threats, and develop strategies to protect NECSWS's network from evolving attack vectors.
Incident Response: Demonstrate strong incident response skills, managing high-pressure situations and minimizing downtime.
Proactive Problem Solving: Anticipate and mitigate potential security threats and incidents, demonstrating a proactive approach to network security.
Infrastructure Management: Manage and maintain NECSWS's large network environment, ensuring high availability and minimizing security risks.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Develop expertise in specific network security domains, such as threat hunting, incident response, or security architecture.
Certifications & Training: Pursue relevant certifications and training in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving to enhance your skillset and advance your career.
Conferences & Events: Attend industry conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest security trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents various technical challenges and learning opportunities for network security professionals. Candidates should be prepared to stay up-to-date with the latest security trends, develop strong incident response skills, and demonstrate a proactive approach to network security.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Network Security Fundamentals: Demonstrate a strong understanding of network security principles, best practices, and threat mitigation strategies.
Incident Response: Discuss your experience with incident response, including case studies or projects that showcase your ability to manage high-pressure situations and minimize downtime.
Proactive Problem Solving: Share examples of proactive problem-solving strategies, demonstrating your ability to anticipate and mitigate potential security threats and incidents.
Infrastructure Management: Explain your experience with infrastructure management, highlighting your ability to manage and maintain large network environments, ensuring high availability and minimizing security risks.

Company & Culture Questions:

NECSWS Culture: Research NECSWS's company culture, values, and mission, and discuss how your personal values align with the organization.
Team Dynamics: Describe your experience working in a dynamic, cross-functional environment and discuss how you contribute to a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
Customer Focus: Explain your approach to customer service and discuss how you ensure high availability and minimize security risks in a large network environment.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Case Studies: Prepare case studies or projects that highlight your experience in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving.
Live Demonstrations: Include live demonstrations of your technical skills, such as network security configurations or incident response scenarios.
Technical Deep Dive: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your portfolio in detail, demonstrating your expertise in network security and infrastructure management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare for technical questions focusing on network security fundamentals, incident response, proactive problem-solving, and infrastructure management. Research NECSWS's company culture and be ready to discuss your alignment with the organization's values and your approach to customer service.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Network Engineer – Security Operations position at NEC Software Solutions:

Submit your application through the application link provided in the job listing.
Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving. Include relevant keywords and skills to optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Prepare your portfolio to showcase your experience in network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving. Include case studies, projects, and live demonstrations that highlight your technical skills and expertise.
Research NECSWS to understand the company's culture, values, and mission. Prepare for company-specific and cultural fit questions during the interview process.
Practice technical interview questions and prepare for hands-on assessments or case studies focusing on network security, incident response, and proactive problem-solving.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions about network security and infrastructure roles. All details should be verified directly with NEC Software Solutions before making application decisions.

Network Engineer – Security Operations