Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements. 

Key Technologies: Routing and Switching (WAN/LAN/Datacentre), Network Security (Firewalls), SDN, Wi-Fi and Cloud Networks.

About Us

The Networks and Hosting Team, which sits within Tech and Data, is responsible for maintaining the existing infrastructure that underpins the majority of our services across TfL. 

It is an exciting time to join the Network team, as you’ll be working on large scale network improvement projects such as: network security (firewall) upgrades, network consolidation and integration, widescale WAN refresh, data centre network refresh.

About the Role

The IT Network Assurance Engineer reports to the Network Assurance Manager and provides specialist technical knowledge and experience to assure, support and optimise our IT Access, WAN, data centre and Cloud network infrastructure. Working within a 24/7 operational environment the IT Assurance Engineer will be maintaining technologies, looking for continuous improvement and automation of repeatable tasks. You will have an in-depth knowledge of networking technologies, including routing and switching across campus and datacentre, and network security (firewalls), and will be collaborating directly with Network Assurance team members, our Network Transformation Portfolio, Infrastructure teams, Network Architects and our Application Support and Development Management teams to provide expertise to support our business-critical services and deliver high profile projects in line with our organisation priorities and vision.  

Main Duties

• Ensure the operability of TfL's information technology networks including management, investigation and resolution of incidents to maximise system availability for critical business services in accordance with the agreed service levels.
• Support and assure all operational network activities, including change, request and network design architectures, ensuring networks are in line with approved designs, and implementations are fit for purpose, and only supportable environments are transitioned into the live estate.
• Implement patching and upgrade activities to ensure that the technology remains compliant and fully supported.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of the state of the technical environment using monitoring and reporting tools, rectifying any operations that are running outside of their normal state. Ensure all HW, SW and service configuration elements are recorded correctly.
• Capacity Management:  Identify and drive activities to mitigate risks in the Network environment.
• Assist the Senior Engineer and engage with stakeholders where appropriate, including release schedules and ensuring that sufficient advance notification is given to enable the business to make budgetary provisions for decisions regarding capacity issues, availability issues or end-of-life equipment and systems.
• Service and Process Improvements; Identify, shape and drive the delivery of potential areas of improvement to technology or processes, with particular focus on, standardising and automation to reduce manual effort. Create or update work instructions for tasks in technical area, enabling all work to be completed to these standards.
• Collaborate & engage with other technology colleagues and teams to deliver project outcomes. Assist the Senior Engineer in all aspects of operating Network technology.
• Identify technical dependencies, risks, and issues to maintain vendor, statutory and T&D compliance levels.
• Supplier Management: Handle suppliers’ adherence to Service Level Agreements, and work with vendors to minimise service disruption and achieve the minimum service according to the business requirements, and ensure value is realised.
• Assure network activities meet all TfL policies and standards, including security and best practices.
• Ensure all Capex network spending is in line with business priorities and is cost-efficient.
• Maintain knowledge of industry developments and trends in Network and Network Security technologies.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• The successful candidate will have a demonstrable high level of knowledge of networking technologies, including:     -switching technologies (VLANs, trunks, STP, vPC, VDC, VXLAN, multi-layer switching and EtherChannel)     -routing technologies (EIGRP/OSPF/iBGP/eBGP) and router redundancy (HSRP, VRRP, GLBP)     -QoS in a LAN/WAN environment
• Strong troubleshooting skills, the ability and desire to learn new things and a willingness to work both autonomously and using their own initiative are essential.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience supporting firewalls including policy and VPN is required, as is the use of the CLI to manage devices.
• Knowledge of supporting Cisco and major firewall vendors’ software and hardware.
• Skilled at analysing data to determine trends and patterns to proactively mitigate service-affecting issues and solve complex challenges.
• Able to communicate coherently throughout, adapting the communication style to meet varying audiences, such as relating technical terms to non-technical people.
• Proficient in risk identification and mitigation planning to reduce service impacting issues.
• Proven ability to work with suppliers, internal teams and customers as necessary to reliably deliver component technologies that combine to form business services.

Desirable

• Knowledge of SDN, cloud networking technologies, Wi-Fi and network automation techniques such as Python are also desirable.
• Knowledge of supporting software and hardware from other major networking vendors.
• The relevant national and international legislation pertaining to the Government/Public Sector IT – e.g. Data Protection Act, EU Procurement Directives and Freedom of Information Act is desirable.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in supporting large scale, high performance, high-availability network architectures
• Experience working with and understanding complex network architecture designs and implementing updated versions of the technology in line with approved designs.
• Experience with Cisco network technologies and network security in complex enterprise-sized environments.
• Experienced in planning own activities.
• Fluent in English and fully conversant with technical language relating to network design and hardware
• A Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualifications/3 years of work experience is essential.
• Knowledge of ITIL and its practical implementation in large organisations.

Desirable

• In depth knowledge of the latest and emerging technologies and methodologies likely to be employed in designing and delivering enterprise wide networking solutions is highly desirable.
•  Commercial and financial awareness enables strategic thinking in problem-solving and finding the right solutions.
• Knowledge of agile methodologies, such as Scrum.

Equality, diversity and inclusion  

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.  

Application Process  

Please apply using your CV and a maximum two-page cover letter.    Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV and cover letter. PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images    

The closing date for applications is Monday, 9^th December @ 23:59 Please note we may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applicants. 

Benefits Include:

• Final salary pension scheme  
• Free travel for you on the TfL network  
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day Flexi ticket 
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow 
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)  
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme 
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers  
• Discounted Eurostar travel