Cisco Network Engineer

6-Month Contract

Onsite (4–5 days per week)

£520 p/d Inside IR35

About Role

A global financial services organisation is seeking a Cisco Network Engineer with strong hands-on experience in deploying, validating, and activating enterprise network infrastructure. This is an onsite role based at the organisation’s Manchester headquarters, supporting a large-scale programme of network upgrades, device replacements, and legacy decommissioning.

The successful candidate will have CCNP-level Cisco knowledge and proven experience performing onsite implementations, hardware verification, cabling assurance, and end-to-end service validation across LAN/WAN environments. This role is ideal for a highly technical engineer who thrives in a delivery-focused environment with significant hands-on deployment work.

Key Responsibilities

Cisco Network Deployment & Activation

• Perform onsite deployment, installation, activation, and configuration of Cisco network infrastructure.
• Conduct physical device checks, hardware verification, and POST testing.
• Coordinate, prepare, and manage RMA replacements where required.

Cabling, Patching & Connectivity Validation

• Validate structured cabling, patching accuracy, and physical connectivity across LAN/WAN environments.
• Ensure correct end-to-end connectivity in line with network design standards and schematics.

Circuit Testing & Device Configuration

• Configure Cisco routers and switches according to deployment templates and low-level designs.
• Test circuits and validate carrier handoffs, ensuring stable WAN performance.

End-to-End Service Assurance

• Carry out comprehensive validation of LAN/WAN services, including integrated systems such as AV, security, and supporting infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot across hardware, cabling, and network protocol layers to ensure successful service activation.

Migration Support & Legacy Decommissioning

• Support the transition from legacy environments, including the removal of old equipment and validation of new service paths.
• Assist with migration readiness, execution, and post-migration stability checks.

Documentation & Reporting

• Produce completion reports, validation documents, and site deployment records.
• Maintain high-quality technical documentation throughout the deployment lifecycle.
• Work closely with project teams, stakeholders, and operational support groups.

Skills & Experience

• CCNP-level expertise in Cisco routing and switching technologies.
• Strong hands-on deployment experience across enterprise network environments.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills across hardware, cabling, and network layers.
• Solid understanding of OSPF, BGP, VLANs, STP, and associated Cisco technologies.
• Experience testing circuits, validating carrier services, and performing end-to-end connectivity checks.
• Background in site rollouts, migrations, or onsite network implementation projects.
• Strong documentation, coordination, and stakeholder communication skills.
• Experience within financial services is advantageous but not essential.