Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

IT Network Lead

Aberdeen
1 week ago
Create job alert

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

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Director of Operations

Network Security Engineer III - UK

Senior IT Project Manager

Senior Lead, Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk

Network Security Analyst

IT Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Top 10 Skills in Cyber sScurity According to LinkedIn & Indeed Job Postings

In today’s digital age, cyber security is no longer optional—it’s mission-critical. From financial institutions to healthcare providers, government departments to tech startups, every sector in the UK is under rising cyber threats. As a result, employers are constantly on the hunt for skilled professionals who can defend, detect, and respond effectively. But with cyber threats evolving at pace, what exactly are employers seeking? By analysing job postings on LinkedIn and Indeed, this article reveals the Top 10 cyber security skills UK organisations are demanding in 2025. Read on to discover how to present these skills effectively on your CV, in interviews, and through practical proof of experience.

The Future of Cybersecurity Jobs: Careers That Don’t Exist Yet

Cyber security has become one of the most critical issues of our age. Once regarded as a technical problem confined to IT departments, it is now a board-level priority, a government mandate, and a daily necessity for individuals. The shift towards cloud services, remote working, connected devices, and artificial intelligence has dramatically increased the risks of digital attacks. In the UK, cyber security is central to national resilience. The government has identified cyber as a “tier one” threat to national security, alongside terrorism and pandemics. The private sector, from banks to retailers, now sees data breaches and ransomware as existential risks. Global spending on cyber security is projected to exceed $250 billion by 2030, with the UK already home to a thriving cyber industry employing tens of thousands. Yet, as powerful as the industry already is, we are only at the beginning. The technologies shaping the next two decades—AI, quantum computing, edge computing, extended reality, and biotechnology—will radically reshape cyber security. Many of the most vital cyber security jobs of the future don’t exist yet. This article explores why new roles will emerge, the careers likely to appear, how today’s jobs will evolve, why the UK is well-positioned, and how professionals can prepare now.

Seasonal Hiring Peaks for Cybersecurity Jobs: The Best Months to Apply & Why

The UK's cybersecurity sector has emerged as one of the most critical and lucrative technology markets, with roles spanning from security analysts to penetration testers and chief information security officers. With cybersecurity positions commanding salaries from £28,000 for junior security analysts to £140,000+ for senior security architects, understanding when organisations actively recruit can dramatically impact your career trajectory in this essential field. Unlike traditional IT sectors, cybersecurity hiring follows distinct patterns influenced by threat landscapes, regulatory compliance cycles, and incident response requirements. The sector's unique combination of perpetual threat evolution, regulatory pressures, and skills shortages creates predictable hiring windows that strategic professionals can leverage to advance their careers in protecting Britain's digital infrastructure. This comprehensive guide explores the optimal timing for cybersecurity job applications in the UK, examining how cyber threat cycles, compliance deadlines, and government initiatives influence recruitment patterns, and why strategic timing can determine whether you join a cutting-edge security consultancy or miss the opportunity to defend against tomorrow's cyber threats.