Principal Network Engineer

Principal Network Engineer – Cloud & On-Prem | Enterprise-Scale Tech Org

Location: Remote (UK/Ireland)

Level: Senior/Lead

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £90,000 / €105,000 + Bonus

Ready to help build a future-proof Technical Operations (TechOps) function for a fast-scaling, tech-forward company? We’re looking for a hands-on, senior Network Engineer with deep expertise across cloud, on-prem, and hybrid infrastructure — and the leadership mindset to drive transformation across systems and networks at scale.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Influence at Scale: You’ll shape the direction of a global enterprise’s technical infrastructure – both greenfield and legacy – as we modernise for scale, security, and resilience.
• Tech-First Culture: We value speed, outcomes, and smart autonomy. No red tape. No silos.
• Modern Stack, Complex Challenges: Hybrid multi-cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), Palo Alto firewalls, Juniper, VXLAN/EVPN, Terraform, Ansible, and more.

What You’ll Own:

• Lead network architecture, engineering, and operations across global hybrid environments
• Design and implement highly available, secure, and observable infrastructure
• Collaborate with DevOps, InfoSec, and Engineering to evolve systems and standards
• Lead complex change initiatives, ensure uptime (target: 5 9s), and drive tech upgrades
• Define and implement network strategy, capacity planning, DR, and automation
• Mentor and influence across senior technical stakeholders and cross-functional teams

What You’ll Bring:

• 10+ years enterprise-level systems/network engineering experience
• Expert-level hands-on skills with:
• Palo Alto (Firewalls, Panorama)
• Juniper (Switching/Routing, VXLAN/EVPN)
• OSPF/BGP, VPN, NAC/802.1x, RADIUS/LDAP
• Scripting & automation chops: Bash, Python, Ansible, Terraform
• Deep understanding of cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid infrastructure
• Strong documentation, collaboration, and troubleshooting mindset
• Experience with DR planning, monitoring tools, and infrastructure hardening

Nice to Have:

• Certifications like PCNSE, JNCIP, CCSP, ITIL
• Experience leading cross-team initiatives or as a systems architect
• Background in DevSecOps, SRE, or platform engineering environments

You’ll thrive here if...

You’re proactive, comfortable with complexity, thrive in fast-paced environments, and want your work to directly impact business outcomes.

Diversity & Belonging

We’re committed to building a culture where everyone feels they belong – regardless of background, experience, or identity. If you’re curious and passionate about doing meaningful work in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you.

Get in touch for full information - submit your CV, or contact Carol Donnelly on carol@vivatechtalent.com