Posted 22 days ago
Description
Lead Network Engineer - technical authority at one of the UK's most recognised media organisations
Our client is one of the UK's most established and trusted media and content production organisations - producing live programmes, award-winning journalism, and streaming content watched by audiences across the world. They're looking for a Lead Network Engineer to take technical ownership of the networks that make all of it possible.
This is a genuinely rare role. You need to be as comfortable discussing BGP route policy as you are navigating multicast in a live broadcast environment. You'll lead a small team, own the architecture, deliver for high-profile live events where failure isn't an option, and bridge the gap between enterprise IT networking and the real-time demands of IP broadcast production. If this is your world, there isn't a more interesting place to do it.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Provide architectural oversight and technical leadership for corporate and broadcast network infrastructure across all sites
- Design, implement, and operate mission-critical IP networks supporting live broadcast, streaming, and corporate services
- Lead multicast routing design and optimisation - PIM, SSM, IGMPv2/v3, Rendezvous Points - for streaming and broadcast workflows
- Plan and deliver network services for large-scale live events - elections, major outside broadcasts, high-profile transmission where zero downtime is essential
- Own network performance, capacity, resilience, and security across broadcast and corporate environments
- Collaborate with broadcast engineering and production teams to integrate new systems into the IP production environment
- Line manage and mentor a small team of network engineers
- Act as senior escalation point for complex network incidents and high-risk project delivery
- Manage external suppliers and carriers on circuit provisioning, SLA management, and connectivity projects
TECH STACK
- Arista - core broadcast and data centre fabric
- Cisco - corporate and campus networking
- Palo Alto - firewalls and security
- BGP / OSPF | EVPN / VXLAN
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Broadcast networking background - this is essential, not a nice-to-have
- Deep multicast expertise - specifically in broadcast or streaming environments, not just general enterprise multicast
- Strong BGP and OSPF routing experience - Cisco and Arista in a production environment
- Solid EVPN/VXLAN overlay architecture experience
- Proven track record delivering networks for live, high-pressure events where availability is non-negotiable
- Experience leading or mentoring a small technical team
- Familiarity with SMPTE ST 2110, PTP (IEEE 1588), and NMOS is a significant advantage
- Arista ACE or Cisco CCNP certification preferred
- Confident communicator - able to bridge IT and broadcast engineering teams clearly
THE PACKAGE
- Central London
- Primarily onsite with some flexibility
- Standard hours: 9am-5:30pm
- No on-call requirement
WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT
- One of the most recognisable media organisations in the UK - work with genuine national significance
- Broadcast networking at this level is rare - live elections, royal events, and major outside broadcasts on your CV
- Technical authority with team leadership - architecture, delivery, and people in one role
- No on-call requirement - serious role, sensible working hours
- Broad collaboration across broadcast engineering, production, and cyber security
