IT Network Lead

Job Title: IT Network Lead
Reports to: CIO (Chief Information Officer)
Location: Aberdeen, UK
Sector: Oil and Gas
Contract Length: Until 31/12/2026

UK RTW REQUIRED

Description:
The IT Network Lead is responsible for designing and implementing high-level network solutions that support the strategic goals of the organization. This role involves developing architecture blueprints, evaluating emerging technologies, and ensuring the scalability, security, and performance of the network infrastructure. The Network Architect collaborates with cross-functional teams and the IT Support Service partners to provide technical leadership throughout the lifecycle of the organisations network and projects.
Key Responsibilities
Network Design & Architecture:
• Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture to develop and maintain enterprise network architecture standards and documentation.
• Design scalable, secure, and resilient network solutions for data centres, cloud environments, offshore and company offices.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and tools to enhance network capabilities, improve performance and reduce cost. A typical current example include assessing technologies such as Low Earth Orbit Satellite services with potential to deliver high performance and lower cost services to offshore facilities.
Strategic Planning:
• Align network architecture with business objectives and IT strategy.
• Lead network transformation initiatives, including cloud migration and SD-WAN deployment.
• Conduct capacity planning and future-proofing of network infrastructure.
• Maintain assessment of the network environment to ensure required levels of resilience and diversity are understood and in place.
Operations:
• Support Incident Management and Change Management processes helping to minimise downtime and impact to business operations.
• Have a detailed understanding of networks and routing to troubleshoot incidents when they arise alongside the service partner.
• Maintain clear sight of EOL and EoSu network infrastructure and liaise with project delivery to provide forward looking plans to address obsolesence and minimise technical debt.
Security & Compliance:
• Integrate security best practices into network design.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Design and implement network segmentation and access control strategies, with a particular focus on network design to support Operational Technology.
Collaboration & Leadership:
• Work closely with network engineers, systems architects, and application teams.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams.
• Lead architecture reviews and contribute to governance processes.
Documentation & Standards:
• Create detailed network diagrams, configuration standards, and operational procedures.
• Ensure up-to-date documentation for all network architecture components.
• Ensure consistency and standardization across the network environment.
Qualifications & Experience
• Strong vendor and stakeholder management skills. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Industry certifications such as Cisco CCDE, CCNP/CCIE, Juniper JNCIE, or equivalent.
• 8+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture roles.
• Deep understanding of routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, and network protocols.
• Experience with cloud networking (Azure, AWS, GCP) and hybrid environments.
Preferred Skills
• Expertise in WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, network protocols, network segmentation.
• Familiarity with network monitoring and performance tools (e.g., NetFlow, SNMP, SolarWinds).
• Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-friendly language.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients