Lead Network & Secure Access Engineer

Bristol, Darlington, Leeds, London, Manchester, Wolverhampton

Job Summary We are MHCLG At the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people's lives. We support communities across England through the delivery of secure, reliable and modern digital services using tools like Azure, AWS, Cloudflare and ZScaler.

We are seeking an experienced Lead Network & Secure Access Engineer to provide technical leadership, service ownership and operational oversight of the department's network and connectivity services across office, cloud and hybrid environments. Working closely with Enterprise Architects, Platform Architects, Security Architects, Cloud Platform teams and suppliers, you will help shape network standards, roadmaps and future connectivity services, ensuring they support departmental priorities and long-term technology objectives. You will provide technical leadership, assurance and operational support for networking services while acting as the department's senior technical escalation point for complex connectivity issues during normal business hours.

The role combines hands-on engineering, supplier management and service ownership, with responsibility for network services spanning office connectivity, Microsoft Azure networking, VPN technologies, secure remote access, Zero Trust networking and shared government environments. This role does not currently include line management responsibilities, although this may change over time. The postholder will provide technical leadership and direction across project teams, operational teams, and suppliers. The role is not part of an on-call support rota.

Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment. Job Description As a Lead Network & Secure Access Engineer, you'll:

• Provide technical input into network standards, roadmaps and future connectivity plans, working with Enterprise Architects, Platform Architects and Security Architects
• Provide technical leadership and operational ownership of network and connectivity services across office, cloud and hybrid environments
• Provide hands-on support and administration of Azure networking, DNS, routing, VPN technologies, firewalls and secure connectivity services
• Administer and support Zscaler services, including policy management, troubleshooting, application onboarding and service improvements
• Support the implementation, operation and continual improvement of Zero Trust and secure access services across departmental environments
• Review, challenge and assure supplier-led network designs, upgrades and service changes, ensuring they meet departmental security, resilience and operational requirements
• Act as the departmental lead for connectivity services delivered through shared government offices, GovWifi, managed service providers and partner organisations
• Maintain and support network monitoring, logging and observability platforms, including Syslog and SIEM integrations
• Lead technical investigations into complex network, performance and connectivity issues, acting as the senior technical escalation point during business hours and coordinating suppliers, support teams and stakeholders to resolve high-priority service issues and service disruptions
• Drive continual service improvement through service assurance, supplier management and implementation of network service enhancements

As a Lead Network & Secure Access Engineer, You'll

• Provide technical input into network standards, roadmaps and future connectivity plans, working with Enterprise Architects, Platform Architects and Security Architects
• Provide technical leadership and operational ownership of network and connectivity services across office, cloud and hybrid environments
• Provide hands-on support and administration of Azure networking, DNS, routing, VPN technologies, firewalls and secure connectivity services
• Administer and support Zscaler services, including policy management, troubleshooting, application onboarding and service improvements
• Support the implementation, operation and continual improvement of Zero Trust and secure access services across departmental environments
• Review, challenge and assure supplier-led network designs, upgrades and service changes, ensuring they meet departmental security, resilience and operational requirements
• Act as the departmental lead for connectivity services delivered through shared government offices, GovWifi, managed service providers and partner organisations
• Maintain and support network monitoring, logging and observability platforms, including Syslog and SIEM integrations
• Lead technical investigations into complex network, performance and connectivity issues, acting as the senior technical escalation point during business hours and coordinating suppliers, support teams and stakeholders to resolve high-priority service issues and service disruptions
• Drive continual service improvement through service assurance, supplier management and implementation of network service enhancements

Person specification

As a Lead Network & Secure Access Engineer, you'll have:

• Strong technical knowledge of designing, deploying and operating enterprise networking technologies including LAN, WAN, Wi‑Fi, routing, DNS, firewalls, VPN technologies and network security
• Experience supporting and troubleshooting enterprise level Microsoft Azure networking and hybrid connectivity solutions for an organisation of more than 4000 users across different digital services on a variety of platforms
• Significant experience in the configuration, administration, support and troubleshooting of secure access and Zero Trust, including Zscaler ZIA and ZPA technologies, as an integral part of both end user and platform connectivity. This experience will include connectivity between end users and private apps alongside troubleshooting complex routing issues involving SIPA and ZPA
• Experience in connection and use of monitoring, logging and observability platforms, including Syslog, SIEM and security monitoring integrations
• Experience leading technical investigations, resolving complex connectivity issues and managing technical escalations within a large operational environment
• Experience contributing technical input into network standards, roadmaps and service improvements whilst working with architects, suppliers and operational stakeholders

Desirable Criteria

• Experience supporting cloud-to-cloud connectivity solutions, including Azure-to-AWS, hybrid or multi-cloud networking environments
• Experience working within government or public sector technology environments
• Experience supporting connectivity services within shared office or multi-supplier environments
• Experience of GovWifi or cross-government connectivity services
• Experience of network automation and Infrastructure as Code
• Relevant networking, cloud or security certifications

Alongside your salary of £58,092, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £16,829 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Application and Selection The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:

Ability , Behaviours , Experience , Strengths , Technical Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.

Stage 1: Sift (CV) Experience: Your CV will be tested against the experience profile.

Stage 2: Technical Test Ability: Candidates who pass the sifting round will be invited to complete a short technical test. Those who are successful will then be asked to attend an interview.

Stage 3: Interview

• Behaviours: "Delivering at a pace", "Managing a Quality Service", "Working Together"
• Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
• Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
• Strengths: The strength-based questions will require natural responses from the candidates.

Sift and Interview Dates Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 31st August 2026.

Interviews are envisaged to take place the week commencing 14th August 2026 and are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.

Group 1 Digital & Data Roles MHCLG has implemented the Digital and Data capability framework for Group 1 roles. Applicants that are successful and have been offered a position will be required to complete a capability assessment after the interview. MHCLG will honour completed capability assessments for this role from other Government Departments for existing civil servants on level transfer only. Please provide a copy of your capability assessment to the Hiring Manager when applying. If you have any queries on pay, please contact the Hiring Manager. Each experience or technical skill is assessed between 1-3, representing working towards, at or above the job level requirements. You are awarded a proficiency level accordingly, and you will be given opportunity to annually re assess your capability and potentially increase your overall remuneration, through payment of allowances, depending on level of assessed capability. Candidates moving from another government department have the option to retain their current basic pay if this is within our pay band for the relevant grade. Grade 7 Group 1 Digital and Data salary

• The basic pay for this role will be between £63,483 - £72,287 (London), £58,092 - £66,742 (National). Candidates will usually be recruited to the median of the payscale.
• A digital allowance may also be payable depending on the level of assessed capability, in order to meet the MHCLG overall targeted remuneration rate for the specific grade, location and capability rating.
• For applicants in receipt of existing allowances, we will assess each case individually, but we would seek not to exceed the MHCLG overall targeted remuneration rate for the specific grade, location and capability rating for existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply, subject to the statements above.

How We Recruit Find out everything you need to know before applying here..

• Applying
• Sifting
• Interview
• Interview Results & Feedback
• Reserve List
• Near Miss
• Civil Service Grades
• We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer
• Reasonable Adjustments

Human How To Apply What you need to know before applying.

• Security Clearance Requirements
• Civil Service Nationality Requirements
• Right to Work
• Artificial Intelligence
• Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles
• CV Declaration
• Sponsorships
• Salary and Grade
• Existing Civil Servants
• Conflict of Interest
• Location and Flexible Working
• Fixed Term Contracts
• Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register
• Appeals and Complaints
• Conflict of Interest

Security Clearance Requirements National Office: BPSS + SC London Office: BPSS + SC Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Digital Data Jobs
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

About If you are unsure about any part of the process or require additional information about the post to enable you to progress your application, you should speak to the Resourcing team - [email protected]. Candidates can appeal at any stage of the recruitment process if they believe there has been:

• a procedural irregularity
• an infringement of the Civil Service equal opportunities policy
• exceptional circumstances which were not notified to the interview panel which might have affected performance on the day.

It is important to note that these are appeals about the process not the decision. In the first instance, an appeal should be directed to the MHCLG Resourcing Hub at [email protected].

If the MHCLG Resourcing Hub is unable to satisfactorily resolve your complaint, you may contact put your complaint in writing to the Civil Service Commission, Room G8,1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ or by email to: [email protected]