Senior Networks Infrastructure Engineer - NCA - SEO

Location

London*, Warrington

* For roles based in London, your contractual place of work will be Stratford. While the Stratford site is expected to become operational from November 2025 – March 2026, you will be required to carry out your contractual duties from Vauxhall or another reasonable location on a temporary basis during the interim period. Please note that, as Stratford will be your contractual place of work, any subsequent move from a temporary location will not entitle you to payments for travel time or costs under the Relocation and Excess Travel Policy.

About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking to recruit a Senior Networks Infrastructure Engineer to work within the Targeted Interception (Domestic) Engineering team, which forms part of the Specialist Operational Services function.

The Specialist Operational Services (SOS) team works within the wider DDaT Enterprise Services function and runs and maintains the NCAs most sensitive operationally focused front-line IT services. The team is comprised of IT professionals, law enforcement and staff with an technology focused mind-set, willing to go that extra mile to achieve real world benefits for the UK. Together, we ensure that specialist services are fit for purpose, agile, delivered 24/7 and have a direct impact on the NCAs mission of protecting the public from serious and organised crime (SOC).

Through developing and provisioning of cutting edge technology services, the SOS function will enhance intelligence collection, surveillance and digital forensics capabilities to support the Agency’s fight against serious and organised crime. 

The SOS function brings together Digital Forensics and Targeted Interception services which include International deployments.  Additional teams and specialist services are also being identified to move into this Engineering function so the Agency is able to respond proactively to the changing nature of the SOC threats. 

The Targeted Interception Engineering function is responsible for deployment, configuration and support of hi-end technical capabilities including infrastructure, networking and software used within Integrated Communications Intelligence (ICI) department, wider policing partners including (National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and overseas partners. Targeted Interception Engineering leads on specifying, designing, developing, delivering and supporting new technical capabilities and for the requirements capture to make use of raw intelligence material for ICI and partners. 

The Digital Forensics (DF) engineering function is responsible for deployment, configuration and support of hi-end digital forensics tools including infrastructure, networking and software used within the Investigations department and overseas partners. 

Job description

The purpose of the Senior Networks Infrastructure Engineer role is to ensure critical Intelligence Collection capabilities are delivered and maintained effectively to ensure they meet the NCAs evolving operational demands. Working in a small team of highly enthusiastic IT professional staff, transferring skills within the team will ensure we are better placed to look after the TI Intelligence networks to provide full critical support, upgrades, development and maintenance.

The role is responsible for: Delivering 1st, 2nd and mainly 3rd line support of technical systems to a professional standard, adapting to and meeting user requirements; Having an in-depth knowledge of the network protocols; Installing of new network hardware, configuration which will also include the patching of all network elements; Working knowledge of the Fortigate, CISCO and Dell hardware primarily; Maintaining and upgrading systems in line with technical requirements for ICI. 

Security is extremely important for all of the services SOS maintain, therefore systems must be maintained to ensure these systems are accreditable.  This includes updating system high and low level designs and associated documentation.  

Due to the nature of this role, travel between sites is regularly required. As such, a Full, clean, UK Driving Licence is essential.

Please note, TI (Domestic) team members will be subject to an on call rota. 

This role aligns to Senior Infrastructure Engineer within the Government Digital and Data career framework.

 

Duties and responsibilities:

 

Business as usual support - Help deliver 3rd line support of the supported SOS systems to a professional standard, meeting user requirements, reacting to system problems to ensure continued availability of SOS systems within defined service levels.  Support 1st and 2nd line functions if required to ensure the ICI business can function as efficiently as possible.
Specification of hardware - Matching business requirements to hardware specifications that meet and often exceed those requirements
Installation of hardware - Racking and cabling of hardware to an industry best practice level, including asset management registering of support, licensing
Identification of obsolescence - Notification of obsolescence issues early in the hardware lifecycle to ensure funding and approvals are in place as early as possible, avoiding unnecessary system outages due to obsolescence
Creation and maintenance of system documentation - Create technical designs and ensure High and Low Level Designs (HLD/LLD) are maintained to an accurate level
Continual Improvement - Researching advances in technology to better meet business requirements with innovative solutions to meet business or technical problems
Patching and upgrades of Network equipment - Using standard IT tooling to deploy and test software patches
Configuration of Network equipment - Have the knowledge of configuring the different types of network equipment
Supporting the wider SOS team - Providing  support to the wider team, assisting where needed and mentoring to share knowledge and upskill less experienced staff, provide briefing sessions and training material to aid in that process
Assist in project work - Be the lead for new projects in developing new technologies to best meet the requirements
Interception principles - Have an understanding of Interception of Telecommunications would be useful, even at a basic level
Infrastructure Problem Solving - Have a basic understanding of Infrastructure to be able to problem solve network and/or server issues
Knowledge and the working of Fortigate, CISCO and Dell firewalls - Have an in-depth understanding of the Firewall models - configuration, patching, support, fault finding and upgrading

 

Virtual Open Evening Event

 

To find out more about the role and the application process we will be holding a virtual opening evening via MS Teams on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

This event is by invitation only. To register, please click on the following link

DDat Enterprise Services Engineers - Virtual Event

Please note, you will be asked for your name and email address. The registration will close on Sunday, 19 October 2025 at 11:00 p.m.

You will not be able to register after this date and time.

Person specification

Understanding of Servers, storage systems and configuration - In-depth knowledge of IT hardware; installation and configuration of operating systems including virtualized environments 
Problem Solving -  Using logic and imagination to make sense of a situation and find an intelligent solution.
Communication - Conveys information clearly and effectively through written and verbal communication. 
Team Work - Works effectively with others to focus on and achieve joint outcomes, rather than individual goals.
Adaptability - Be able to learn quickly in a fast moving agile environment and adapt to new technologies.
Fault finding - Troubleshooting and provide resolution for system incidents.  Recording and sharing the knowledge where appropriate

On-call working  

The post holder may be required to participate in an on call 24/7 Rota. If you do perform on-call duties, you will be entitled to an On-Call allowance, for each session you are on-call, aligned to renumeration policy.

Essential Criteria

You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.
Entry Requirements  

Applicants should possess strong level of expertise in working at 3rd line level, for the following essential entry requirements:

An in-depth knowledge and experience of Network equipment including configuration and installation
Experience in the configuration and Patching of Fortigate, CISCO and Dell Firewalls and Switches
Experience in maintaining and fault finding a network located across multiple sites

Licences

A Full, clean, UK Driving Licence is required

Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.

Behaviours

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

Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace