Principal Network Engineer - Hybrid Cloud/Platform

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Network Engineer to own and evolve our global enterprise networking estate across Private Cloud, AWS, and Azure. This role will lead the design and delivery of our next-generation network architecture, including the introduction of Google Cloud, and the transformation of a historically fragmented environment into a unified, scalable, and high-performance network fabric.

This is a critical leadership position for a highly capable technologist who operates confidently across strategy, architecture, and hands-on delivery. You will bring deep expertise in large-scale hybrid networking and apply it to build a secure, resilient, and fully observable platform that underpins our global products and services.

As the domain owner, you will define and govern networking standards, drive automation, and continuously evolve how connectivity is delivered across the organisation. You will combine strategic vision with technical execution, remaining close to design, implementation, and incident response, while mentoring and elevating the capabilities of internal engineering teams.

This is a hybrid role based out of our Birmingham HQ, with the expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office 1–2 times per month as required.

Network Ownership & Strategy

• Own the full networking estate across Private Cloud data centres, AWS, and Azure.
• Define and lead the network transformation roadmap, introducing Google Cloud as the global edge.
• Unify cloud and on-prem networks into a consistent, scalable network fabric (“zones”).
• Establish standards and patterns that ensure consistent connectivity across products and platform.

Architecture & Engineering

• Design and implement a unified network architecture supporting hybrid workloads and modern application patterns.
• Optimise multi-cloud connectivity (Direct Connect, ExpressRoute, Cloud Interconnect).
• Standardise network patterns including VPCs/VNets, routing, segmentation, NAT, DNS, firewalls, and load balancing.
• Define and enforce a robust network security posture (zero-trust, DDoS protection, VPNs, policy automation).

Reliability, Operations & Incident Response

• Lead complex incident response and root cause analysis, driving improvements in reliability and MTTR.
• Build platform-wide observability into network services.
• Ensure performance, scalability, and resilience across all environments.

Automation & Governance

• Champion Infrastructure-as-Code for all network deployments (Terraform, CloudFormation, Pulumi).
• Embed automation and policy compliance into CI/CD pipelines.
• Own vendor and partner relationships with ISPs, cloud providers, and hardware suppliers.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with Platform Engineering, SRE, and Security teams to align design and architecture.
• Provide deep technical mentorship to engineers across the organisation.
• Govern standards, ensure adoption, and elevate network engineering capability across teams.

• Experience in enterprise and cloud networking within hybrid or multi-cloud environments.
• Proven experience designing and operating large-scale, highly available networks across AWS, Azure, and on-prem.
• Deep expertise in routing, switching, BGP, MPLS, DNS, NAT, VPNs, SD-WAN, and load balancing.
• Strong understanding of cloud networking constructs (Transit Gateway, VPC Peering, Virtual WAN, Private Link, etc.).
• Hands-on experience with Google Cloud networking and global edge configurations (highly desirable).
• Strong grounding in network security, including firewall design, zero-trust, WAF, TLS, identity-aware proxies.
• Solid experience automating network infrastructure using IaC and CI/CD pipelines.
• Exceptional diagnostic and troubleshooting skills across distributed systems.
• Strong communication skills and stakeholder management, able to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Certifications such as CCNP/CCIE, AWS Advanced Networking, or Azure Network Engineer Expert are advantageous.

#LI-RL1

Wellbeing focused – Our people are our greatest assets, and ensuring everyone feels their best self to come to work is integral

• Annual Leave – 25 days of annual leave, plus public holidays and the ability to buy additional days
• Employee Assistance Programme – Free advice, support, and confidential counselling available 24/7 through Care First
• Endometriosis Friendly Employer - We are proud to confirm our commitment to developing an environment and culture that allows those with endometriosis to thrive in the workplace

Personal Growth - Regardless of where you are at in your career, we’re committed to enabling your growth personally and professionally

• Development Programmes – From Future Managers to Leadership Training, our development programmes help you get where you need to go
• Performance Bonus – Our Group-wide bonus scheme enables you to reap the rewards of your success

Financial wellbeing - We understand as well as your mental wellbeing, your financial wellbeing is really important

• Pension Scheme – Our plan with Scottish Widows offers 5% matched contribution by the company
• Income protection insurance – Providing you with support and assistance when you need it most

Recognition – Highlighting and rewarding the great work our people do

• Performance & Talent – Our own technology platform that allows you to get real-time feedback, conversations and goals to help you become your best self

Making a Difference – we provide opportunities to help our people make a difference to the causes they care about

• MatchIt! – Fundraise for a cause close to your heart and Advanced will match part of the funding
• Volunteering Time – Our volunteering leave scheme allows you to use your time to help those who need it
• Pennies from Heaven – donate the pennies from your pay check to help make a difference without lifting a finger

At OneAdvanced, we are at the forefront of delivering sector-focused technology solutions that simplify complexity, drive meaningful progress, and help build a fairer, more inclusive society. We’re much more than a software company. We deliver SaaS workflow applications and IT services that power organisations across Education, Government, Healthcare, Legal, Manufacturing, Housing, Retail, and more.

OneAdvanced is one of the UK’s largest business software and services companies. Based in Birmingham (The Mailbox), operating across the UK, Ireland, India, and Australia. Our secure, scalable platform, including OneAdvanced AI, our private AI service for UK organisations, powers connectivity and innovation across critical sectors. Alongside our software are our IT services, including hosting, managed services, and application modernisation.

We strive to create an inclusive workplace that drives innovation and collaboration, championing diverse perspectives and ideas. Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy is embedded in everything we do, guiding us to create meaningful impact for our people, our customers and the planet.

Join us and become part of a team that’s powering the world of work and making a real difference.

Learn more at www.oneadvanced.com