UK jobs. Bigger possibilities.

hire.moi

Senior Network Engineer

Hybrid in Manchester·Added yesterday (last checked 6 Nov)

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

27 open roles

Apply

Our summary

Salary
£58,961 - £74,399 a year

About £3,730 - £4,480 a month after tax.

Work mode
Hybrid, Manchester
Experience
Senior level
Closing date
Apply by Sunday 22 November
Pension
28.97% employer pension
Commute
Cycle to work and season ticket loan

Skills

Nice to have

Requirements

What we're looking for

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

  • Technical Breadth

Nice to have

It would be beneficial to have experience in the following areas when starting the role, although this is not essential: Arista, Palo Alto, Aruba, AWS and Azure. Familiarity with network automation coding and techniques (Python and Ansible) is a plus.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

£58,961 - £74,399

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Alongside your salary of £58,961, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £17,081 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

  • Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
  • Generous annual leave - at least 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro-rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
  • Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
  • Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
  • Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year's continuous service.
  • Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
  • An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women's Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Pay for this role is from £58,961 to £74,399.

The maximum salary for the grade is £69,399, however a Digital Allowance of up to £5,000 per annum is available for exceptional candidates. Digital Allowance is non-salary, and non-pensionable, and is classed as a temporary allowance. It is reviewed annually where it could be retained, amended, or removed.

Our offer to successful candidates will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated at interview.

Existing Civil Servants who secure a new role on lateral transfer will maintain their current substantive salary.

Civil Servants who gain promotion will move to the bottom of the grade pay scale or receive a 10% increase applied to their current substantive salary, whichever is greater.

Any temporary allowances that you are currently in receipt of will not form part of the calculation to determine your pay. Any allowances that are in payment will cease when you move into your new role.

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office.

If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

Visa & relocation

Please note that for these vacancies we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role. We can never guarantee sponsorship, requests will be considered in line with the relevant DWP guidance and Home Office policy in place at the time.

You must meet the security requirements before you can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

You must have resided continuously in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years, 2 of which must have been the immediately preceding years from the point of applying for this job.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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 (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.

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)

The role

Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. For further information, please see 'Selection process details'.

Do you want to shape resilient, large-scale network services that millions rely on every day?

If so, come and join us as a Senior Network Engineer within DWP Digital.

This Senior Network Engineer role is suited to an experienced practitioner who acts as a role model for Infrastructure excellence. The position sits at the heart of Network Services, promoting best practice across the department and supporting teams to deliver high-quality, reliable Infrastructure products.

The role contributes to the design and evolution of Infrastructure and Network services, working collaboratively with Architecture and Engineering colleagues to ensure alignment with agreed principles, standards and long-term strategy.

Accountability spans the full range of Network Services, with close collaboration across internal teams, external partners, stakeholders and customers. A strong focus is placed on maintaining operational stability, resilience, availability and service quality across DWP networks.

The role also encompasses active backlog management, driving reliability and resilience improvements and leading the automation of low-value tasks, balancing continuous improvement with wider delivery commitments.

As a Senior Network Engineer, you will:

  • Lead and develop the team of Infrastructure engineers inputting into the selection, design and delivery of infrastructure services/solutions ensuring they are aligned to and help achieve IT and Departmental strategy.
  • Effectively communicate at different levels, across support and engineering, business users, architecture and 3rd party suppliers.
  • Manage the implementation of complex technical solutions, recognising and managing dependencies and risks, driving through to successful implementation.
  • Design and manage VXLAN Overlays for scalable Datacentre networking.

How you'll work

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

This role may be located in one of the following locations; Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle.

Please find further information on the Corporate hub locations here.

Please note: for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, the role will initially be based at Benton Park View. It will then move to 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.

This role includes participation in an on-call rota and may require occasional out-of-hours working to support critical service delivery and operational requirements.

Apply before

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 22nd November 2026

Reference number

485039

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Digital
Engineering
Information Technology

Number of jobs available

4

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

  • If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
  • If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Important

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Job contact

  • Name : Richard Hanley
  • Email : Richard.Hanley@dwp.gov.uk

Share this page

Hiring process

See selection process for further details.

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Richard.Hanley@dwp.gov.uk.

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

Stage 1: Application

Your application will consist of four parts:

1. A Personal Details application form.

2. Employment history - this should contain your work experience and any skills, qualifications and accomplishments relevant to the jobs you have completed.

3. Personal statement - up to 1250 words. This statement should be used to provide examples of how you meet the essential criteria below, including your proven experience in designing, deploying and configuring high-performance, secure and scalable network infrastructure, with strong hands-on experience in the following areas:

  • Advanced Network Architectures and Routing: Proficient in VXLAN overlays, EVPN, multi-site fabrics, VRF segmentation and dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), particularly using Arista technologies.
  • Traffic Optimization & Load Balancing: Experienced in load balancing solutions including F5 ASM, APM and DNS.
  • Automation & DevOps Practices: Good background in Infrastructure as Code, Configuration as Code and CI/CD pipelines for streamlined network operations.
  • Communication skills with the ability to document network designs and procedures effectively. Takes accountability for issues that occur and is proactive in searching for potential problems.
  • Leadership and technical direction: Demonstrates strong technical leadership within Network Engineering, acting as a role model for best practice. Provides clear direction, mentors engineers, supports capability development and leads by example in the delivery of resilient, high-quality network services.

4. Technical statement (up to 250 words). The following statement is aligned to the required technical skill of Technical Breadth. This statement should be used to provide example(s) of how you meet the criterion below:

  • Next-Generation Firewall Expertise: Skilled in configuring, designing and maintaining NGFWs with emphasis on Palo Alto Firewalls with centralized management via Panorama.

Ensure that all examples provided in your statements are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. If you choose to use gen-AI to support your statements, you must follow the guidelines outlined in the Artificial intelligence and recruitment guide.

The sift panel will use the information in your employment history, personal statement, and technical statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge.

An initial sift will be conducted using the technical statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.

If you do progress to a full sift, you will be provided with one combined overall assessment score for both your employment history and Personal Statement.

For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit Applying for jobs at DWP Digital.

Stage 2: Interview

If you're successful at sift, you'll be invited to attend a face-to-face interview at one of the advertised locations. During the interview, you'll be assessed against the experience criteria listed under both the essential criteria and technical skill.

You will be asked to deliver a 10-minute presentation to further assess your experience. Your presentation should focus on the following:

  • Present a Design and justify a next-generation firewall strategy for a large enterprise migrating to cloud and Zero Trust.

You may use supporting visual aids, such as presentation slides, if you wish, although this is not mandatory. Further details will be provided in the interview invitation.

Interviews will take place from early January 2026. Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed.

All successful candidates and those placed on reserve will be posted in merit list order by location.

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

About Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Industry
Government Administration

In their own words

About the company & team

DWP - Digital

  • Email : digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Additional information

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

  • You will be asked to complete your employment history. Any information that you would customarily share on a CV should therefore be entered onto the application form.
  • Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
  • If your employment history, personal statement or technical statement contain any personal details your application will be withdrawn.

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Reasonable Adjustments" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

  • Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
  • Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP's Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.

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.

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).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service mmission.

All open roles at Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

More jobs like this

or browse Manchester·Engineering·Senior·Hybrid·Civil Service & Government·Government Administration

WhatsApp

More jobs from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

See all 27 jobs

Similar jobs