Senior Network Engineer

• Details
• Reference number
• 476260
• Salary
• £76,400 - £82,450

a DDAT allowance of up to £8750 may be applicable.

Applicants new to the civil service will be recruited at the minimum of the pay band for the grade of the position into which they are appointed. Only in exceptional circumstances will a salary above the minimum be considered, based on skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications demonstrated through the recruitment process, and also equity with staff internal to the CMA.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

• Job grade
• Grade 6
• Contract type
• Permanent
• Type of role
• Architecture and Data
• Digital
• Information Technology
• Security
• Working pattern
• Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time
• Number of jobs available
• 1
• Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

London

About the job

Job summary

Are you an expert in network design who loves working with the newest tech? We are looking for a Senior Network Engineer to lead and protect our entire network fabric, from on-premises systems to the cloud!

In this vital role, you will be the mastermind behind our network's design, security, and performance. You will collaborate with great teams, drive automation, and use top-tier tools like Cisco and Palo Alto to shield us from cyber risks. If you are a proactive problem solver who wants to lead high-profile tech projects and keep a major organisation securely connected, we want you on our team!

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the UK’s principal competition and consumer protection authority. We promote competition and protect consumers with a clear end goal in mind: to drive economic growth and improve household prosperity. The CMA has a range of powers, which it uses to undertake a wide variety of cutting-edge, high profile and complex work, spanning merger and market inquiries, competition and consumer law enforcement, our role in the digital markets competition regime, subsidy advice, and internal market advice.

We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack

Job description

What you will do

As a Senior Network Engineer, here is what you will do:

• Lead Network Projects : Build and maintain strong WAN and LAN connections using Cisco hardware while making sure they follow top government security standards.
• Protect against Cyber Risks : Block online threats by managing firewalls, scanning for weak spots, and fixing security issues quickly.
• Collaborate and Guide : Work with other tech teams to design great systems and give expert advice to senior leaders.
• Keep Systems Running Fast : Fix technical glitches and update software patches so the network stays safe, fast, and reliable.
• Plan for the Future : Watch budget costs, manage software licences, and research new technology to keep the network modern.

You can read the full job description on the attached role profile.

What you will need

• Top-Tier Tech Certification: Full Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) qualification with minimum 3 years work experience as a network administrator
• Deep Network Expertise : Strong experience designing and building secure computer networks (like LAN, WAN, and WiFi) using Cisco tools, routing, and switching.
• Cloud and System Integration : Proven ability to connect complex systems together, especially using cloud networks like AWS and Azure.
• Advanced Troubleshooting Skills : A knack for breaking down tricky tech problems to fix them, specifically with Cisco hardware and Palo Alto firewalls.
• Great Communication : The ability to talk easily with both tech experts and regular team members to explain your ideas clearly.

What we can offer you

In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work – an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee assistance programme and flexible working options.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential:

• Qualification: Full Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) qualification with minimum 3 years work experience as a network administrator (Lead Criteria)
• IT infrastructure . Experience of designing and implementing infrastructure technologies, solutions and services such as: networking, physical infrastructure, software, and cloud computing, including IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. Core network skills to include, routing (BGP, VRF's etc), switching (VLAN, Stacking, etc.) or comparable experience.
• System integration . Knowledge of moderate to complex service integration, particularly experience of integration with Azure & AWS related networking and typical DMZ architectures and Express Route, with experience of capacity and availability monitoring and analysis using tools such as Solar Winds.
• Systems design . Experience of designing secure systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity. Ability to select appropriate design standards, methods and tools and ensure they are applied effectively. Ability to review the systems designs of others to ensure selection of appropriate technology and efficient use of resources. Substantial experience in designing, deploying, and managing of Cisco Wireless / LAN networks, Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center)/SD-Access networks, Cisco ISE.
• Technical understanding . Deep understanding of the technical concepts required in the role including LAN, WAN, WiFi, data-centre networks, unified comms, network management solutions, network-specific security, remote access technologies and approaches, SIEM and IPS/IDS technologies and toolset used for vulnerability scanning including Nessus, understanding of SIP, VoIP, Video Conferencing, managing QOS and good knowledge of Microsoft Visio to create network documentation.
• Troubleshooting and problem resolution . Experience of breaking a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes and of troubleshooting and identifying problems across different technology capabilities, ideally Cisco Catalyst 9500, 9300, Cisco FirePower and Palo Alto firewalls in HA configured environments, Cisco ISE including NAC, 802.1x, MAB, Profiling policies, Certificates and Guest Portal, or comparable technologies. Cisco Umbrella SIG or similar proxy solutions.
• Stakeholder engagement . Effective stakeholder management skills and proven ability of communicating to both technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications

Full Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) qualification with minimum 3 years work experience as a network administrator

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• You will be assessed against the Digital, Data and Technology profession capability framework at Lead Network Engineer - https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/network-architect#lead-network-architect
• You will also be asked other technical questions based on the person specification attached in the role profile.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £76,400, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £22,133 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .

You’ll also get:

• 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
• Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
• Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
• A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.

Our Values

We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.

Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.

• You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack
• Things you need to know
• Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application and sift stage

• As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.
• At the sift stage, your application (CV & personal statement) will be reviewed and assessed against the essential criteria listed under the Person Specification of the role profile.
• Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application. Your personal statement should be no more than 1250 words.
• You will first be sifted on the lead essential criteria.
• If you meet the lead essential criteria you will then be progressed to the full sift. If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification will then be considered.
• We may raise the score required at sift stage to progress to interview if we receive a high number of applications and take through the highest performing candidates to the interview stage.
• Successful candidates at sift will be invited to an interview which will be conducted in-person at the CMA's London office in Canary Wharf.

Interview stage

• At the CMA we apply a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you and we use the Success Profiles framework assessing the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills outlined in the advert and attached role profile.
• The interview will consist of 2 rounds.
• 1st round will involve a 30 - 45 mins practical lab test followed by technical round of questions - in total 1.5 hrs in our London office.
• Those passing the 1st round will be called for a 2nd round of interview which will be a 45-60 minute behavioural interview held on Teams.
• A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Timeline (the dates outlined below are indicative and may be subject to change)

• The advert closing date is 06 September 2026 (23:55). We are not able to accept late applications.
• The sift is scheduled to take place between 07-13 September 2026.
• Interviews will be held from the week commencing 21 September.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.

For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

See our vetting charter .

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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : CMA Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.