Network Cloud Infrastructure Design Engineer

BT Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company seeks a Network Engineer to design and support its data centre network infrastructure for private cloud platforms. You will work on cutting-edge technologies such as EVPN/VXLAN and Cisco ACI to ensure robust and scalable networks. This hybrid role requires SC clearance eligibility and provides a dynamic environment where innovation is encouraged. The position offers competitive compensation, enhanced benefits, and opportunities for career development in a transforming business.

Benefits

4 weeks annual leave

24/7 private virtual GP appointments

Enhanced women’s health support

World-class training opportunities

Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes

Responsibilities

• Design, build and support data centre network infrastructure for private cloud platforms.
• Contribute to High Level and Low Level Designs aligned to BT architecture and network standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex, high-severity network issues.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering teams and stakeholders.
• Participate in an on-call rota providing 24×7 cover.

Skills

Routing and switching in large-scale environments

BGP and related routing protocols

Strong network troubleshooting and diagnostic skills

Solid understanding of IP networking fundamentals

Ability to operate across both design and operational activities

Education

Relevant professional certifications such as Cisco CCNA or CCNP

Tools

Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI)

VMware NSX

Job description

Posting Date: 28 Jan 2026

Function: Cloud

Unit: Networks

Location: New Bailey, Manchester, United Kingdom

Salary: Competitive with Great Benefits

Why this job matters

Network Cloud is responsible for delivering BT’s next-generation private cloud and data centre platforms, which underpin a wide range of BT services and support business-critical and regulated workloads.

The Network Cloud VMware Platforms team designs, builds and operates the data centre networking that supports these environments. This includes modern EVPN/VXLAN underlay fabrics, integration with VMware NSX overlays, and multi-tenant network architectures aligned to security, resilience and compliance requirements.

This role is critical to ensuring BT’s private cloud platforms are scalable, secure and operationally robust. The networks delivered by this team form the foundation for compute, storage and platform services consumed by multiple internal tenants across BT.

In this role, you will contribute to the design, standardisation and operation of BT’s data centre network architecture. You will work across EVPN/VXLAN fabrics, Cisco ACI and NSX-based networking, collaborating closely with compute, security and operations teams to deliver consistent, reliable network services.

Your work will directly influence the stability, scalability and security of BT’s private cloud platforms and support BT’s wider cloud and digital transformation strategy.

This role is hybrid (3 days in office) & can be based in either Manchester / Ipswich / London

SC Clearance eligibility is required for the role

What you’ll be doing

• Design, build and support data centre network infrastructure for private cloud platforms.
• Contribute to High Level and Low Level Designs aligned to BT architecture and network standards.
• Design and operate EVPN/VXLAN network fabrics.
• Support and develop Cisco ACI or equivalent data centre network solutions.
• Integrate underlay networks with VMware NSX overlays and services.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex, high-severity network issues.
• Support routing, switching and control plane technologies including BGP.
• Contribute to network automation and standardisation initiatives.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, diagrams and operational procedures.
• Collaborate with compute, security and platform teams to deliver end-to-end solutions.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering teams and stakeholders.
• Undertake additional tasks in support of wider Network Cloud objectives.
• On‑call support: Participation in an on‑call rota (approximately 1 week in every 3), providing out‑of‑hours cover on a 24×7 basis. This is an on‑call responsibility and does not mean continuous working during that period.

Skills Required for the Role

This role requires strong operational and design expertise in data centre networking, with a focus on modern fabric and overlay technologies.

Required skills

• Routing and switching in large‑scale environments
• BGP and related routing protocols
• Experience producing High Level and Low Level Designs
• Strong network troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Solid understanding of IP networking fundamentals
• Ability to operate across both design and operational activities

Highly desirable skills

• Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI)
• VMware NSX networking and security
• Experience integrating underlay and overlay network designs
• Automation experience using tools such as Ansible or Python

Experience Required for the Role

• 3 years or more in a hands‑on network engineering role, including 2nd and 3rd line support, and 3 years or more contributing to network design.
• Strong understanding of IP networking fundamentals and data centre network architectures.
• Experience working in multi‑tenant private cloud or shared network environments.
• Exposure to multi‑site or multi‑data‑centre network designs.
• Knowledge of public or hybrid cloud networking concepts.
• Relevant professional certifications such as Cisco CCNA or CCNP, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with Cisco ACI and or VMware NSX is highly desirable.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work effectively across teams.
• From January 2025, equal family leave: receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.
• Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
• 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues
• 2 weeks carer’s leave
• World‑class training and development opportunities
• Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.

About us

BT Group was the world’s first telco and our heritage in the sector is unrivalled. As home to several of the UK’s most recognised and cherished brands – BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet, we have always played a critical role in creating the future, and we have reached an inflection point in the transformation of our business.

Over the next two years, we will complete the UK’s largest and most successful digital infrastructure project – connecting more than 25 million premises to full fibre broadband. Together with our heavy investment in 5G, we play a central role in revolutionising how people connect with each other.

While we are through the most capital‑intensive phase of our fibre investment, meaning we can reward our shareholders for their commitment and patience, we are absolutely focused on how we organise ourselves in the best way to serve our customers in the years to come. This includes radical simplification of systems, structures, and processes on a huge scale. Together with our application of AI and technology, we are on a path to creating the UK’s best telco, reimagining the customer experience and relationship with one of this country’s biggest infrastructure companies.

Change on the scale we will all experience in the coming years is unprecedented. BT Group is committed to being the driving force behind improving connectivity for millions and there has never been a more exciting time to join a company and leadership team with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion to take this company into a new era.

Although these roles are listed as full‑time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway – you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.