The posting
Network & Security Engineer
Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time
Location: Gorey, Co. Wexford, with travel to client sites
About INNOVATE
INNOVATE is an Irish managed IT and cloud services provider delivering networking, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, communications and IT support solutions to businesses across Ireland.
Working closely with its clients, INNOVATE designs, implements and manages secure, reliable technology solutions that support business growth and resilience. Its services include network security, secure infrastructure, Cisco and Meraki networking, cloud connectivity and managed IT services.
About the Role
INNOVATE is seeking a Network & Security Engineer to join its Professional Services team on a permanent basis.
This is a client facing, project focused role with a strong emphasis on cyber security and secure infrastructure, alongside core networking responsibilities. You will implement and support security technologies, strengthen client network environments and take ownership of security focused projects, upgrades and improvements across a broad range of customer environments.
The role will involve contributing to presales activities and technical discovery, including joining client discovery calls and site visits to understand existing environments, technical requirements and business needs. You will provide technical input into solution design and project scoping, helping ensure that proposed solutions are practical, secure and aligned with client requirements.
You will also be expected to take ownership of projects from discovery and design through implementation, testing, technical documentation and handover to the support team. This includes configuring and maintaining security solutions, investigating technical issues, improving network protection and helping clients adopt secure and resilient IT practices.
A sound understanding of security fundamentals is important, as the role will involve a significant amount of security focused project work. You will also work with Cisco and Meraki networking technologies to ensure reliable, secure connectivity across client environments.
This opportunity would suit an experienced network engineer with a strong interest in security, or a security focused engineer with solid networking knowledge, who enjoys hands on technical delivery, project ownership and working directly with clients.
Duties & Responsibilities
Security and Infrastructure Protection
Implement, configure and maintain security technologies, including firewalls, VPNs, secure remote access and network access controls.
Support the design and implementation of secure network architectures, applying appropriate security controls and industry best practices.
Apply sound security fundamentals when assessing, designing and implementing solutions across client environments.
Review client environments to identify security weaknesses, configuration issues and opportunities to improve protection.
Configure and maintain network segmentation and secure connectivity to help protect client infrastructure.
Investigate and resolve security related incidents, connectivity issues and technical problems, escalating where appropriate.
Recommend and implement improvements to strengthen client security posture, reduce exposure to threats and improve infrastructure resilience.
Support the secure implementation, configuration and maintenance of client infrastructure and network security appliances.
Work with clients to understand their security requirements and translate these into practical technical solutions.
Lead and deliver security focused infrastructure projects, upgrades, migrations and technology improvements.
Maintain accurate security configurations, technical documentation and implementation records.
Presales and Technical Discovery
Participate in presales activities, technical discovery calls and client site visits.
Assess existing client environments to understand current infrastructure, technical requirements and business needs.
Gather and clarify technical requirements to support solution design and project scoping.
Provide technical input into proposed solutions, identifying appropriate networking, security and infrastructure requirements.
Help ensure proposed solutions are practical, secure and aligned with client requirements.
Communicate technical recommendations clearly to clients and internal stakeholders.
Project Ownership and Delivery
Take ownership of projects from initial discovery and design through implementation, testing, documentation and handover to the support team.
Plan and coordinate technical implementation activities to support effective project delivery.
Configure, implement and test solutions to ensure they operate as intended and meet agreed technical requirements.
Maintain clear and accurate project documentation, including configurations, implementation records and relevant technical information.
Complete structured handovers to the support team, ensuring the information required for ongoing support is available.
Work closely with clients and the wider technical team to resolve issues and deliver projects to the required standard.
Support project upgrades, migrations and infrastructure improvements across client environments.
Networking and Connectivity
Configure, implement and support Cisco and Meraki networking solutions, including switches, routers and wireless infrastructure.
Maintain and troubleshoot LAN, WAN and wireless environments to ensure reliable and secure connectivity.
Investigate network performance, routing, switching and connectivity issues.
Support network installations, upgrades, migrations and infrastructure refresh projects.
Assist with the design and implementation of network solutions aligned with client requirements and security standards.
Collaborate with the wider technical team to ensure effective project delivery and consistent technical standards.
Keep up to date with developments in cyber security, network protection and networking technologies.
What Success Looks Like
Delivering security focused projects and improvements across client environments.
Taking ownership of projects from technical discovery and solution design through to implementation, testing, documentation and support handover.
Providing effective technical input during presales activities, discovery calls and site visits.
Improving the security, resilience and reliability of client infrastructure.
Building trusted relationships with customers through technical expertise and professional service.
Developing strong working knowledge of security platforms alongside Cisco, Meraki and network infrastructure technologies.
Contributing to secure infrastructure design and effective technical delivery within the Professional Services team.
Skills & Experience Required
Minimum 3 years' relevant experience in network security, cyber security, network engineering, infrastructure engineering or a similar technical environment.
Practical experience configuring, supporting or troubleshooting firewalls, VPNs and secure network connectivity.
Good understanding of network security fundamentals, security controls and infrastructure protection.
Experience with network access controls, segmentation and secure remote access.
Strong networking fundamentals, including routing, switching, LAN, WAN and wireless technologies.
Hands on experience with Cisco networking technologies. Cisco Meraki experience is highly desirable.
Experience implementing infrastructure changes, technical upgrades, migrations or security improvements.
Ability to participate in technical discovery, assess existing environments and gather client requirements.
Ability to provide technical input into solution design and project scoping.
Experience taking ownership of technical projects or implementation activities through to completion and handover.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical and problem solving skills.
Ability to assess technical issues, identify appropriate solutions and communicate recommendations clearly.
Confidence working directly with clients and collaborating with technical colleagues.
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
Full clean EU driving licence.
Desirable Skills
Experience with Cisco security technologies, Fortinet or other enterprise firewall and security platforms.
Cisco CCNA, CCNP or equivalent networking certification.
Security certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Cisco Security or relevant Fortinet certifications.
Experience with Cisco Meraki security appliances and cloud managed networking.
Knowledge of Microsoft Azure networking, cloud connectivity and cloud security principles.
Exposure to cyber security frameworks, security assessments or vulnerability management.
Experience with virtualisation technologies.
Experience working within a Managed Service Provider or IT Professional Services environment.
Why Join INNOVATE?
Opportunity to work on security focused projects across a diverse range of client environments.
Exposure to enterprise networking, firewall and cyber security technologies.
Opportunity to develop specialist expertise in network security and infrastructure protection.
Collaborative Professional Services environment.
Technical training and professional development opportunities.
Experience working with Cisco, Meraki and modern security technologies.
