The Role
Lead design and implementation of enterprise network solutions across routing, switching, firewalls and wireless. Produce low-level designs, migration and implementation plans. Deploy, test, validate and optimise Cisco-based infrastructure (data centre and campus), troubleshoot complex issues, run PoCs/labs, and produce documentation while collaborating with project managers, security teams and stakeholders. Integrate network designs with compute and storage platforms.
Summary Generated by Built In
Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.
About the role:
- Candidates must have excellent communication skills and be able to lead technical projects from design stage through to implementation and take ownership of the solution end to end
- Design and deliver enterprise network solutions across routing, switching, firewall, and where required wireless technologies, with a strong emphasis on project implementation rather than BAU administration
- Produce high-quality low-level designs, implementation plans, migration plans, and build documentation to support project delivery
- Deploy, configure, test, and optimise network infrastructure using strong Cisco networking knowledge at CCNP/CCIE level or equivalent
- Support the design and implementation of modern network architectures, including traditional three-tier campus designs and spine-leaf or fabric-based architectures using technologies such as Cisco ACI or VXLAN EVPN
- Apply strong working knowledge of core network protocols and services, including BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, VXLAN, VLANs, HSRP/VRRP, routing policy, multicast, and related enterprise services
- Undertake hands-on build, proof-of-concept, lab validation, and technical testing activity to de-risk delivery and validate designs before deployment into production
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues encountered during project delivery, implementation, migration, or testing phases
- Work closely with project managers, security teams, and customer stakeholders to ensure solutions are aligned to agreed design principles, standards, and governance requirements
- Support change execution through the preparation, rehearsal, and implementation of changes within controlled project and operational environments
- Produce and maintain accurate technical documentation, including configuration baselines, as-built records, network diagrams, test results, and support handover material
- Contribute to technical workshops, design reviews, and customer discussions, with the confidence to explain technical decisions clearly and credibly
- Understand how network infrastructure integrates with wider platform components, including compute and storage environments built on VMware, Nutanix, and Hyper-V
Requirements
- Strong enterprise networking background with hands-on experience in project delivery, implementation, and design
- Cisco networking expertise to CCNP/CCIE level preferred; with strong relevant experience
- Strong understanding of modern data centre and campus network design patterns
- Experience with Palo Alto firewalls and centralised management through Panorama is desirable
- Ability to produce detailed technical and low-level design documentation to a high standard
- Experience of delivering technical solutions in structured and governed environments
- Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills across complex network environments
- Comfortable working directly with customers, including large enterprise or blue-chip organisations
- Experience in regulated or critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, utilities, oil and gas, defence, or OT environments would be beneficial
- Cisco ISR and ASR Routers
- Datacentre technologies, Cisco Nexus, VXLAN, VPC’s & End User Compute
- Campus Switching Catalyst 9XXX series switches, Stackwise virtual
- IPSec VPN’s & Cisco SDWAN
- Cisco Secure firewall / FTD
- SASE solutions, Palo Alto Prisma Access, Cisco Secure Connect
- Cisco Wireless – WLC’s (C9800 series)
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
- Experiences with Azure and AWS cloud environments
- Cisco Meraki Wireless, Security and Switching technologies
- Cisco ACI - Application Centric Infrastructure HP and Aruba Platforms
- DevNet Principles, Automation, Ansible, Python
Skills Required
- Excellent communication skills and ability to lead technical projects from design through implementation
- Design and deliver enterprise network solutions across routing, switching, firewall and wireless technologies
- Produce high-quality low-level designs, implementation plans, migration plans, and build documentation
- Deploy, configure, test, and optimise network infrastructure using strong Cisco networking knowledge at CCNP/CCIE level or equivalent
- Experience with modern network architectures including three-tier campus and spine-leaf/fabric (Cisco ACI or VXLAN EVPN)
- Strong working knowledge of core network protocols and services (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, VXLAN, VLANs, HSRP/VRRP, routing policy, multicast)
- Hands-on build, proof-of-concept, lab validation, and technical testing to de-risk delivery
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues during delivery, implementation, migration, or testing
- Work closely with project managers, security teams, and customer stakeholders to align solutions with standards and governance
- Support change execution including preparation, rehearsal, and implementation within controlled project/operational environments
- Produce and maintain accurate technical documentation, configuration baselines, as-built records, network diagrams and handover material
- Understand network integration with compute and storage platforms (VMware, Nutanix, Hyper-V)
- Experience with Palo Alto firewalls and centralised management through Panorama
- Experience of delivering technical solutions in structured and governed environments
- Comfortable working directly with customers including large enterprise or blue-chip organisations
- Experience in regulated or critical infrastructure sectors (energy, utilities, oil and gas, defence, OT) would be beneficial
- Experience with Cisco ISR and ASR routers
- Datacentre technologies including Cisco Nexus, VXLAN, VPCs and End User Compute
- Campus switching: Catalyst 9XXX series and StackWise Virtual
- IPSec VPNs and Cisco SD-WAN
- Cisco Secure firewall / FTD
- SASE solutions, Palo Alto Prisma Access, Cisco Secure Connect
- Cisco Wireless WLCs (C9800 series)
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
- Experience with Azure and AWS cloud environments
- Cisco Meraki Wireless, Security and Switching technologies
- Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure), HP and Aruba platforms
- DevNet principles, automation experience, Ansible and Python
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The Company
What We Do
Sword is a leader in data insights, digital transformation and technology services with a substantial reputation in complex IT, business projects and mission critical operations with over 3,000 Technology, Digital specialists working in more than 50 countries to enable the growth of your organisation in the digital age.
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