Principal Network Lead

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department are seeking an experienced and practicing Principal Network Engineer.

You will be joining our team at an exciting time - we maintain the UK's National Time Scale, UTC (NPL), and are currently developing the National Timing Centre that will underpin our Critical National Infrastructure. This will address the risks associated with our dependency on global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS) that are vulnerable to both natural and intentional interference.

As the Principal Network Lead, you will enjoy collaborating with prominent Scientists, Engineers and specialists in Cyber Security, to design and implement network infrastructure to time, quality and cost.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide leadership to the NTC Network Engineering team, mentoring and supporting staff. Leading by example in technical excellence. Define the shape and roles in the future growth and development of the NTC Network Engineering team.
Be responsible for the network design, creation and maintenance. Ensuring it successfully meets the requirements of the NTC programme. Enhancing existing infrastructure to ensure it meets future needs, whilst maintaining network security measures.
Collaborate with senior stakeholders and the Technical Authority to lead the development and delivery of NTC IT infrastructure and networks.
Ensure compliance with appropriate internal and external governance including quality, health, safety, security and environmental legislation minimising risk to the business and enhancing NPL's reputation.

The role is a key contributor to the success of the NTC programme. The successful candidate will have a unique experience of being responsible for the overall management and delivery of the deployment of the IT infrastructure and networks to this exciting programme.

We are now working in a hybrid way, with a mix of remote and office working. We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

Essential criteria:

Strong technical background. Experience in successful delivery of complex mission critical projects at scale.
Experience as a Network Engineer responsible for development and subsequent implementation of complex, mission critical network infrastructures through the project lifecycle.
Strong technical interest, maintaining currency with exploitable emerging technologies and key players in the field.
Experienced working across the full project lifecycle and within associated standards/governance regimes for delivery of scale mission critical projects in to UK Government.
Proactive and forward thinking, capable of looking into the longer term to identify potential future challenges and determine solutions. For example through capability development/partnering strategy to ensure that the team is adequately resourced.
A strong communicator, capable of bridging between business need, solution requirements, system designers and technical delivery. Capable of commanding respect from all stakeholders across multiple communities to enable this bridging.
Ability to engage and command respect when engaging at senior levels within client and internal stakeholder communities. Can clearly communicate technical aspects of the projects with relevance to the overall delivery ie against business requirements, risk, opportunity, cost, timescale, obsolescence and support ability through life in the context of an ongoing managed service.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, andinterviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may atany time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interestedapplicants to apply as soon as practical.

We actively recruit citizens of allbackgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means thatnationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined thanothers. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. Towork at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role, you will need to have an SC clearancewith no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL)isa world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurementscience, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of lifein the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview

NPL and DSIT have strongcommitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applicationsfrom candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexualorientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applicationsfrom women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates inparticular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by theEqualityAct 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will beguaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is aresult of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture andrespect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on thebasis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own orperceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, weensure we're creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supportedand welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health andwell-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities areembedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along withabroad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the waywe interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyonehas an equal chance, we're always willing to make reasonable adjustments to therecruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.