Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Senior Network Engineer

The closing date is 22 March 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Interview will be held on 2nd April 2026

Are you an experienced Network Engineer ready to take the lead in designing and securing enterprise-scale infrastructure that underpins frontline NHS services?

We're looking for a Senior Network Engineer (Band 7) to lead the support, design and continual improvement of our core network infrastructure across Berkshire Healthcare. This is a hands-on senior technical role within a specialist team, where you'll act as the subject matter expert for networking, connectivity and firewall security.

You'll bring strong 3rd/4th line experience across LAN/WAN, MPLS, firewalls, routing and switching, with knowledge of Azure networking. The role is a 70/30 split between project delivery and business-as-usual support, giving you real influence over future network design while ensuring resilient, secure services for critical clinical systems.

Mainly based at Bath Road, in Reading, this is a fully site-based role with regular travel across Berkshire. Due to the operational nature of the infrastructure, home working is not available.Core hours are Monday to Friday 9-5 and participation in an out-of-hours rota is required.

If you're passionate about secure, reliable networking and want to make a tangible impact in healthcare, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

  • Proactively maintain and enhance the Trust's core network infrastructure including LAN/WAN, MPLS, firewalls, routers, switches, load balancers and Azure networking

  • Act as the senior escalation point for complex 3rd/4th line network incidents, undertaking root cause analysis and implementing permanent solutions

  • Lead firewall configuration, security improvements and network resilience initiatives

  • Design, review and document high- and low-level network designs to support projects and service development

  • Ensure all network changes follow ITIL processes including incident, problem and change management

  • Support disaster recovery planning, testing and business continuity arrangements

  • Collaborate with architects, security teams and third-party suppliers

  • Mentor colleagues and contribute to continual service improvement

  • Participate in an out-of-hours support rota and travel across Berkshire sites as required

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

13 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CS340-A

Job locations

IT - Networks Team , 57-59 Bath Road

Reading

RG30 2BA


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must have's for this role:

  • CCNA, CCNP (or equivalent networking certification/experience)

  • ITIL Foundation certification

  • Extensive 3rd/4th line network engineering experience in a complex, multi-site environment

  • Ability to work full-time on-site across Berkshire

  • A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Shiva Pallapothu, IT Infrastructure Manager on 01189046290 or email: Shiva.Pallapothu@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must have's for this role:

  • CCNA, CCNP (or equivalent networking certification/experience)

  • ITIL Foundation certification

  • Extensive 3rd/4th line network engineering experience in a complex, multi-site environment

  • Ability to work full-time on-site across Berkshire

  • A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Shiva Pallapothu, IT Infrastructure Manager on 01189046290 or email: Shiva.Pallapothu@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or significant equivalent experience.
  • CCNA, CCNP or equivalent level of knowledge
  • Foundation Certificate in ITIL Service Management

Desirable

  • Foundation Certificate in PRINCE2 project management techniques

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of continuous personal and professional development

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience as a Network engineer level (Level3)
  • Extensive experience in IT support environment
  • Experience of providing diverse services to multiple customers within a large multi-faced, multi-site organisation

Desirable

  • Previous experience with HP Networking

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed technical understanding of the theory and practice of networking; OSI model, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN, Firewalls, Routers and switches
  • Advanced knowledge of firewall design and configuration across multiple vendors
  • Experience with Azure networking
  • Understanding potential security risks is essential.
  • Ability to work to deadlines and act under pressure
  • Self-motivated and corporate Team player

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed technical understanding of the theory and practice of networking; OSI model, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN, Firewalls, Routers and switches
  • Advanced knowledge of firewall design and configuration across multiple vendors
  • Experience with Azure networking
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or significant equivalent experience.
  • CCNA, CCNP or equivalent level of knowledge
  • Foundation Certificate in ITIL Service Management

Desirable

  • Foundation Certificate in PRINCE2 project management techniques

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of continuous personal and professional development

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience as a Network engineer level (Level3)
  • Extensive experience in IT support environment
  • Experience of providing diverse services to multiple customers within a large multi-faced, multi-site organisation

Desirable

  • Previous experience with HP Networking

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed technical understanding of the theory and practice of networking; OSI model, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN, Firewalls, Routers and switches
  • Advanced knowledge of firewall design and configuration across multiple vendors
  • Experience with Azure networking
  • Understanding potential security risks is essential.
  • Ability to work to deadlines and act under pressure
  • Self-motivated and corporate Team player

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed technical understanding of the theory and practice of networking; OSI model, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN, Firewalls, Routers and switches
  • Advanced knowledge of firewall design and configuration across multiple vendors
  • Experience with Azure networking

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

IT - Networks Team , 57-59 Bath Road

Reading

RG30 2BA


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

IT - Networks Team , 57-59 Bath Road

Reading

RG30 2BA


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

IT Infrastructure Manager

Shiva Pallapothu

Shiva.Pallapothu@berkshire.nhs.uk

01189046290

Details

Date posted

13 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CS340-A

Job locations

IT - Networks Team , 57-59 Bath Road

Reading

RG30 2BA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)