Principal Network Engineer - OFGEM - G6

Job summary

Bring the fight against climate change into the digital space  

As the UK’s regulator for the energy industry, we’re playing a vital part in accelerating the transition to Net Zero and a carbon neutral energy system, and we need the best people on board to help us go further and faster in pursing the country’s climate goals and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

Joining our IT Operations team as a Network Engineer, you’ll be a source of specialist advice on Digital, Data, and Technology matters for a multi-disciplinary team. As Ofgem’s internal Technology Network Engineer expert, you’ll use your expertise to plan, implement, and oversee Ofgem’s IT network. With a focus on delivering the necessary network infrastructure to ensure Ofgem can conduct its online and internal IT activities, you’ll proactively resolve technical problems, providing expert guidance to your team and to colleagues across the organisation. You’ll design and implement new solutions and improve the resilience of the current environment, directing system installation and defining, documenting, and enforcing system standards.

A seasoned professional, you’ll have advanced networking skills and an excellent understanding of networking principles, with demonstratable experience of substantial achievements in past positions. You’ll also be an expert in systems design, including systems characterised by high levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity. You’ll have the ability to develop effective implementation and procurement strategies, and extensive experience working closely with a wide range of colleagues, including in a leadership capacity. On a personal level, you’ll be capable of seeing the bigger picture, with developed communicating and influencing skills and a passion for improving UK wide access to safe, affordable, and sustainable energy.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact where it matters, and to take your career to the next level.

Ofgem relies on having a workforce that reflects the society we serve, so we welcome candidates from all backgrounds, and especially those from underrepresented groups. While this is a full-time role, flexible working patterns and job shares are welcome. We will also support you with excellent training and development opportunities, plus a competitive benefits package.

Job description

Key Responsibilities 

• We are looking for an experienced engineer to provide vital Information Technology network services to Ofgem. Responsible for the network infrastructure support, covering strategic and tactical enhancements and the continued development of our Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture and it’s supporting IT Network Infrastructure.
• This role is part of the Digital, Data and Technology Profession in the Civil Service. Specialist Infrastructure Engineer 
• As part of department, you are also responsible for a range of services including LAN, WAN, private circuits, Internet and voice services. In addition, the team provides a range of other services such as load balancing, security and web filtering. 
• Provide expertise establish the networking environment by designing system configuration, directing system installation and defining, documenting and enforcing system standards. Design and implement new solutions and improve resilience of the current environment. 

Key Outputs and Deliverables 

• Lead and work within the DDSS function to refresh, design, build, and operate our Cloud and on-premises network services. 
• Design, Support and implement solutions using networking services, such as SD-WAN, MLPS, Core, Edge and Access Networking, Wi-Fi and IPSEC VPN. 
• Monitor and troubleshoot cloud-based applications and services, automate cloud-based deployments using Azure DevOps. 
• Provide technical administration for the Continuity of Operations/Disaster Recovery architecture and planning. 
• Provide documentation and resources to colleagues across Information Services, ensuring that all services are fully supported, and end users have access to appropriate technical Support and information. 
• Provide technical expertise for the Support and Development of the Networks infrastructure. 
• Proactively resolve technical problems, ensuring that security solutions continue to meet business requirements taking accountability for actions taken and decisions made.
• Provide Expert level experience on enterprise networking technologies WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, Proxy, Load Balancers, Firewalling and Network Security.
• Provide expert guidance to help team members deliver, by building supportive, inclusive team environment based on trust-based relationships, transparency and inclusivity. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• (Lead criteria) Layer 2 and layer 3 switched and routed networks, preferably using Cisco hardware, preferably educated to CCNA and CCNP knowledge level (routing and switching). 
• (Lead criteria) Experience in Network Security, including on-premises, cloud and hybrid deployments. Implementation and configuration of SD-WAN networks, network monitoring, and network optimisation. 
• Extensive knowledge of: 

- IP addressing & subnetting using both IPv4 and IPv6 standards. 

- Network protocols and disciplines: OSPF, BGP, SNMP, VPC, BFD, HSRP, STP, VPN, MPLS 

• Technologies and Software Defined Networking and Network Automation in an enterprise environment architecture. 
• Expertise/capability in a related professional specialism, evidenced through an appropriate professional qualification e.g. above Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or vendor equivalent. 
• Coud environments, specifically Azure, e.g. Transit Gateway, Azure Firewall. 

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,520, OFGEM contributes £16,953 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; Hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but is in review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.  

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential and desirable skills and capabilities. 

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expect all candidates to abide by these principles. Ofgem take any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).