Datasource Recruitment
Network Engineer
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Network Engineer – Essex – Hybrid– Contract 37.5 hours per week – £450 - £490 per day – SC Clearance
Company cultures & job summary
Our client is looking for an experienced Network Engineer to support the delivery and optimisation of Cisco ISE and enterprise wireless platforms in a secure Defence environment.
You'll need strong hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst 9800 WLCs and Cisco ISE, including 802.1X, RADIUS policy enforcement, and wireless integration.
You will be working on two specialist Cisco services and experience in the below technologies is essential:
Working Patterns and location
- Hybrid – 2-3 days on site per week
The Key Responsibilities of a Network Engineer
- Lead design, build, and migration of legacy wireless infrastructure to Cisco Catalyst 9800 WLC architecture.
- Define and deliver end-to-end wireless migration strategies including planning, cutover, and post-implementation optimisation.
- Architect and implement high-availability 9800 WLC deployments with SSO and redundancy to minimise service disruption.
- Own design, upgrade, and lifecycle management of Cisco ISE environments including HA topology and patching strategies.
- Design and enhance secure network access solutions using 802.1X and MAB across wired and wireless environments.
- Troubleshoot complex authentication and connectivity issues using packet capture and deep protocol analysis tools.
- Produce clear technical documentation, runbooks, and support artefacts to governance standards.
- Manage vendor escalations and Cisco TAC cases, supporting change and release management activities.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Skills required for a Network Engineer
- Strong hands-on experience deploying and supporting Cisco ISE in enterprise environments.
- Deep expertise in 802.1X (wired and wireless), MAB, RADIUS authentication flows, and EAP methods (PEAP, EAP-TLS).
- Proven experience with Cisco Catalyst 9800 (IOS-XE) WLCs including CAPWAP, AP join, and mobility/roaming.
- Strong knowledge of WLAN configuration including policy profiles, SSID segmentation, RF optimisation, and seamless roaming.
- Solid core networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, VLANs, trunking, BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP.
- Experience troubleshooting end-to-end authentication flows across Client, AP, WLC, and ISE.
- Ability to perform packet-level troubleshooting using Wireshark and TCPdump.
- Experience working within structured change and release management processes.
Additional skills (not essential)
- Experience with Cisco DNA Center for network management and automation.
- Experience with ForcePoint Firewalls in an enterprise or secure environment.
- Basic automation or API exposure including ISE and IOS-XE REST APIs.
- Relevant certifications such as CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, Cisco ISE Specialist, or CWNA/CWNP.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Our client is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
Part-time opportunities/flexible working is available to suit individual needs.
Please note that the client has determined that the off-payroll working rules will apply to this assignment and therefore this contract will be run through an Umbrella Company. Income tax and primary national insurance contributions will be deducted at source from any payments made to the intermediary.
Recommend a Friend
If you have professional friends/colleagues who would be interested in one of our roles and our excellent levels of service too, we'd like to recognise your recommendations with a 'thank you' of our own. For every friend you refer who then starts a role through Datasource either Contract or Permanent, we will send you £200 of Love to Shop Gift Vouchers & gift your friend £100 in Love to Shop Gift Vouchers as well!
You will be required to hold a minimum of SC Clearance. If you do not hold an active SC Clearance, please familiarise yourself with the vetting process before applying.
(c) Copyright Datasource Computer Employment Limited 2026.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location