Network Engineer

Modern tech-stack. Hybrid infrastructure. 4000+ end users. Network Engineer

£45,000 - £50,000 (+ Benefits)

Reports to: Lead Infrastructure Engineer (Network)

Department: Chief Operating Office

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application. 

Closing date: 02 April 2025, 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: One competency-based interview  

Interview date: From 09 April 2025

How do I apply? We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

Cancer Research UK has an ambitious Engineering Strategy and modern Tech Stack with a complex hybrid (on-premise & multi-cloud) infrastructure underpinning an extensive technical estate, and plans in action to migrate into a full cloud-based network.

As a Network Engineer, you will be part of our Platform Engineering capability which supports the charity’s product development whilst establishing an agile, secure, and smooth-running digital workplace across 4,000+ end-users. The team is part of our wider Engineering capability (Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, CRM & Business Intelligence) meaning you’ll have the opportunity to learn and benefit from the expertise of a wide range of engineering skills.

In this role, you will assist in managing the operations of our IT network infrastructure while supporting the delivery of properly engineered and secure IT network services that meet the organisation’s needs. This will include preparing new or changed services, maintaining regulatory, legal, and professional standards; resolving technical queries and issues, and monitoring the performance of network systems and services to ensure Cancer Research UK’s strong performance and operations.

If you are an experienced Network Engineer with a background in Cisco Wireless Networking and firewall, we’d love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

• Providing full network support to IT Services and business colleagues across Cancer Research UK’s 4,000+ users and head offices.

• Carrying out agreed system hardware and software maintenance tasks to support the smooth running of Cancer Research UK’s IT Network Infrastructure technologies.

• Installing or removing network hardware and software using supplied installation instructions and tools. This will involve following agreed standards (including those for electric work) and seeking guidance in more complex situations.

• Responding to user and specialist inquiries taking appropriate action to resolve technical queries and problems, process priorities and run tests while facilitating and overseeing the installation, removal, upgrade, and repair of equipment.

• Updating configuration management records.

• Ensuring that all safety, security, clerical, and administrative procedures are completed correctly, and accurate records are maintained.

• Monitoring, logging, and reporting tasks appropriately while ensuring to. act on known errors and documented workarounds. This will involve advising when management or specialist attention is required.

• Assisting in the preparation of implementation procedures with contingency plans before installing and testing new versions of network hardware and software.

• Advising development and service delivery teams on the correct and effective use of network technologies which involves creating and maintaining operational documentation for relevant network hardware and software products.

• Collecting performance data to monitor network systems efficiency ensuring optimum performance in line with service level agreements (e.g. monitoring resource usage and failure rates to provide feedback to management).

• Ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice computer system validation guidelines.

• Maintaining physical and logical security and integrity of networks and associated hardware and software.

• Occasionally traveling to Cancer Research UK’s Oxford head office and retail sites across the UK when network support is required.

What skills will I need?

• Experienced Network Engineer with a background in Cisco Wireless Networking with firewall.

• Provided and overseen LAN/ WAN / SAN administration.

• Proficient in using Routing, Switching, and IP Protocols.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to take responsibility for resolving problems and experience applying problem root-cause analysis techniques.

• Ability to complete and deliver within agreed service levels to professional standards while ensuring that quality and compliance requirements are met.

• Keen understanding of network technologies and willing to learn more about new Networking technology (e.g. ACI application infrastructure, Cisco DNA/ digital network architecture).

• Able to occasionally travel (UK only).

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination  

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism   

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people  

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

Additional Information

For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. 

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner. 

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen by emailing us at [email protected]. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.