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Job Title: Network Operations Engineer
Posting Start Date: 17/06/2026
Job Id: 2794
School/Department: IT Services
Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£): £32,080-£36,636 per annum with the potential to progress to £39,906
Closing Date: 08/07/2026
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The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
You will be part of our multiskilled Network Operations team with a focus on supporting the day to day operations and modernisation of the University network. This includes wired and wireless networking, UPS provision and networking services.
You will have an in depth knowledge of data networks, both wired and wireless with experience of supporting Cisco based networking infrastructure within an organisation. Previous experience with Cisco management platforms such as Prime or DNA/Catalyst Centre would be advantageous. You will have a passion for technology and a desire to develop your skills further. An effective communicator, you will use this skill to ensure the delivery of excellent customer service. You will enjoy working as part of a team and value the knowledge sharing this brings while also being capable of taking ownership and progressing your own areas of work.
Within Network Services we are expanding our team to support a multi-year programme of network transformation across the University estate.This will be an exciting period within the team with opportunities to learn, develop and get hands on with enterprise networking technologies.
Main duties and responsibilities
Configure, install and maintain IT networking (wired and wireless) infrastructure across the University building estate.
Monitor networking infrastructure and performance, undertaking proactive maintenance where required to support continuation of service and service improvement.
Investigate, troubleshoot and resolve faults and service affecting incidents across the wired and wireless network.
Provide support for hardware and software system problems on IT network equipment; install and update system configurations; configure network services software and other application software.
Plan and undertake the installation of network equipment, liaising with stakeholders on new developments and changes to existing installations to ensure services are available and/or maintained as required.
Coordinate and support operational network delivery projects to deploy changes to campus networking infrastructure, for example network refresh and modernisation work streams within buildings or new University estate developments. Including collaboration with third party wireless design partners to deliver wireless network improvements across the building estate.
Create and maintain technical documentation for the team and knowledge base articles to support end user stakeholders, ensuring that content is clear and accurate.
Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical staff, students and visitors across the University in relation to any ongoing work, ensuring the delivery of excellent customer service.
Provide an interface between the Network Services and Frontline Support teams giving clear advice on service affecting issues and their resolution
Collate and analyse incident and fault report data to assist in the identification, classification and resolution of Problem tickets. Produce related support documentation for end users and other stakeholders to facilitate the continual improvement of services and excellence in the delivery of IT network services.
Act as a key contact and authority within the team for a given technical specialism within Network Operations (e.g. Wireless, SDN, UPS management, switch and IOS upgrades). Provide support and guidance to other team members undertaking knowledge transfer to ensure best practices are implemented and adhered to.
Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential or desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
Have a good general education to A Level (or equivalent) level with excellent numeracy and literacy skills
Essential
Application
Experience of supporting a Cisco based networking infrastructure including the configuration, implementation and administration of access switches and wireless access points
Essential
Application & Interview
A demonstrable ability to terminate, test and troubleshoot copper network cabling infrastructure. Similar skills for optical fibre cabling are beneficial but not essential
Essential
Application & Interview
Knowledge of appropriate health and safety working procedures and criteria
Essential
Application
Experience of coordinating operational projects to deploy changes to networking infrastructure prioritising and delegating work to others and offering appropriate support
Essential
Application & Interview
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills allowing frontline interactions with customers and to undertake technical discussions and knowledge transfer with fellow team members
Essential
Application & Interview
Ability to manage conflicting demands as part of a multi-skilled team, communicating effectively with colleagues, customers and others to meet challenging business critical deadlines
Essential
Application & Interview
Ability to quickly recognise, analyse and solve problems making recommendations for alternative courses of action from a range of evaluated options where appropriate
Essential
Application & Interview
The ability to update knowledge of relevant subject areas and keep abreast of technological developments
Essential
Application & Interview
Knowledge and experience of scripting languages and automation tools (e.g. Python)
Desirable
Application & Interview
A clean driving licence
Desirable
Application
The ability to work outside of normal business hours to support maintenance and project tasks
Desirable
Application
Further Information
Grade
6
Duration
Fixed-term for 36 months
Line manager
Network Operations Manager
Direct reports
No direct reports
Our website
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/it-services/about ()
For informal enquiries about this job contact Gary Helliwell, Network Operations Manager: on
[email protected] or on 0114 222 3079
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of a technical test, informal discussion with the team and panel interview. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact
[email protected]
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
Generous pension scheme.
A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
A range of generous family-friendly policies
paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
support for those going through the menopause
paid time off and support for fertility treatment
and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Criminal record
A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: - sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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