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Falcon Smart IT (FalconSmartIT)

Network Engineer

On site

Guildford, United kingdom

Mid level

Freelance

16-02-2026

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Skills

Communication Python Network Security Firewalls Wireshark Ansible Networking Architecture Security Architecture Azure AWS

Job Specifications

Job Title: Network Engineer

Job Location: Guildford OR Bournemouth, UK/ Onsite

Job Type: Contract/FTC (6 months duration)

Job Description: Senior Network Security Engineer (L4)

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled L4 Network Security Engineer with deep expertise in Cisco security technologies, Check Point firewalls, and F5 APM. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, optimizing, and troubleshooting enterprise security solutions across multi-site and data center environments. This role requires hands-on experience in platform installations, upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning activities, along with strong troubleshooting and cross-team collaboration skills.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Security Infrastructure Operations & Engineering

Manage, configure, and troubleshoot Cisco ISE (TACACS+, RADIUS, Dot1X, CoA, Profiling).

Administer and support Cisco ASA/FTD firewalls including ACLs, NAT, VPN, failover, clustering, and upgrades.

Manage Check Point firewalls (R80.x) — policy management, clustering, VPN, logging, and health checks.

Handle F5 APM for remote access VPN, SSO, authentication policies, and application access.

Support data center network security architecture (firewalls, segmentation, VRF, routing, switching security).

2. Implementation, Installations & Decommissioning

Perform installation, configuration, and deployment of security devices (ASA/FTD, Check Point, ISE nodes, F5 APM).

Lead hardware refresh, firewall replacement, and migration projects.

Execute device decommissioning, ensuring proper cleanup of configs, rule removal, rack removal, and documentation.

Conduct cutover activities, change execution, and post-implementation validation.

3. Project & Architecture Support

Participate in designing secure network architectures for enterprise and data center environments.

Work with cross-functional teams to review network and security requirements.

Create and maintain HLDs/LLDs, network diagrams, migration plans, and SOPs.

4. Security Operations & Troubleshooting

Act as L4 SME for escalations related to network security issues.

Troubleshoot identity/authentication failures, VPN issues, firewall packet drops, routing conflicts.

Perform root-cause analysis (RCA), remediation plans, and long-term fixes.

Monitor system health, logs, and alerts across multiple platforms.

5. Governance, Compliance & Best Practices

Ensure compliance with security standards (ISO 27001, NIST, PCI-DSS, CIS benchmarks).

Conduct periodic rule/policy optimization, cleanup, and audits.

Maintain device firmware/software to secure and supported versions.

Document operational procedures and provide knowledge transfer to L1/L2 teams.

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Required Skills & Experience

Technical Skills

Cisco ISE (expert level) – Authentication policies, authorization profiles, profiling, certificates, device onboarding.

Cisco ASA/FTD – VPN, NAT, ACL, clustering, routing, packet tracer, Firepower Management Center (FMC).

Check Point R80.x – SmartConsole, VPN, IPS, rule optimization, HA/cluster.

F5 APM – Access policy creation, VPN configuration, SAML/OAuth integration.

Cisco Switching/Routing in DC environment – Nexus (5k/7k/9k), VLANs, VPC, OSPF/BGP basics.

Packet capture tools: Wireshark, tcpdump.

cloud networking (AWS/Azure) is a plus.

Automation/Scripting knowledge (Python, Ansible) preferred but not mandatory.

Experience

6–10+ years of strong experience in enterprise Network Security.

Experience working in large, distributed, high-availability environments.

Proven track record of leading install, upgrade, migration, and decommission projects.

Experience in handling major Incidents and RCA documentation.

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Soft Skills

Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Strong analytical and troubleshooting capability.

Ability to lead changes independently and collaborate with global teams.

Ability to mentor junior engineers.

Regards.

Rachana

rachana@falconsmartit.com

About the Company

Global Specialist IT Recruitment Agency Leader in Digital Transformation , Business IT Solutions and IT Recruitment Specialists Falcon Smart IT is a Specialist recruitment agency can quickly find you highly skilled IT professionals who are the best fit for your project or full-time hiring needs. By combining cutting-edge recruiting technology and matching algorithms, with best-in-class customer service, we have been helping hiring managers like you fulfil IT jobs for decades. Leader in Digital Transformation and Business ... Know more