Job Description
Overview
Would you like to enrich the lives of learners?
RM Technology has shaped future generations for over fifty years by implementing innovative technology solutions in schools and colleges. Founded in 1973, we’re a trusted Edtech partner, transforming teaching environments to be more productive, resilient, and sustainable.
Our committed team pioneer, collaborate, and continually push the bar on products and services in the EdTech space.
Visit us here to find out more: www.rm.com/education
RM Broadband develops, delivers and supports RM‘s Internet services product portfolio, primarily focussed on the schools and education sector. RM Broadband have been providing Internet services since 1995 and currently supplies them to over 3000 sites and 1.5 million users.
Services include leased line, FTTP, FTTC or 4G/5G Internet connectivity; RM SafetyNet web content filtering; managed firewalls; remote access VPNs and managed WAN services.
The job holder will work within the Broadband Infrastructure development team, and will be responsible for the architecture, technical development and 4th line operational support of our ISP-based products and services. Additionally, you will provide pre-sales support for more complex technical implementations to our sales teams.
Working across both networking and server disciplines, this varied role will require deep understanding of many technologies, for example: Juniper service provider networking, FortiGate firewalling, virtualisation, Linux servers and Python scripting for automation.
The job holder will work at all stages of the development life cycle, from conception or initial user requirements through design, development, testing, operational and delivery handover and product maintenance.
We encourage early applications as the vacancy may close once the position has been filled or final interviews have been arranged.
Responsibilities
The Network Architects’ role is a technical role and is broken down into the following areas:
- Provide technical leadership for the development, implementation and maintenance of our network, server infrastructure and associated ISP services in a project-oriented environment.
- Act as a subject matter expert for our network infrastructure.
- Define the strategy for our core network infrastructure, data centres, ISP systems and tooling to support automation and orchestration across the network.
- Maintain physical and logical design documentation to ensure consistency and compliance with all relevant industry standards.
- Champion new technologies and solutions, including awareness, evaluation and selection. Lead and take part in trials of innovative technology, based on strategic needs.
- Assist with the ongoing support and operational function of the ISP network and associated services, providing a 4th line support role for escalated support requests from our operations teams. This support extends to outside normal working hours and may involve some anti-social hours. Technical leadership in major incident scenarios is expected.
- The job holder will be tasked with identifying and implementing improvements to the RM Broadband estate to improve service to our customers, increase operational and delivery efficiency, reduce costs and help grow the RM Broadband business.
- To perform maintenance activities, implement project-related infrastructure, support bidding activities and respond to emergency incidents the job holder will be required to occasionally travel to nationwide locations. A full UK driving license and flexibility to travel at potentially short notice is therefore essential. Opportunities for occasional travel to our RM India operation will also be available.
- You will act as mentor and coach to more junior members of the team and facilitate a close working relationship across the UK and India development and operations teams. You will provide technical training, share and embed best practice and processes and ensure these are adhered to.
Experience
Required knowledge and skills:
- Significant experience developing and operating ISP or large enterprise related infrastructure.
- Deep expertise of service provider technologies, including MPLS, BGP, OSPF, IPv4 and IPv6, inter-provider connectivity.
- JNCIP-SP or CCNP Service Provider or equivalent.
- Extensive knowledge of Juniper networking, in particular the MX series routers, SRX firewalls and EX/QFX switches.
- Experience with next generation firewalls, in particular the Fortinet firewall stack and their deployment in SD-WAN configurations.
- Strong proficiency in Python and Ansible scripting – specifically developing for network automation and against vendor APIs.
- Technical knowledge and operational experience of Linux environments (RedHat and Ubuntu), LVS load balancing, web proxies, SMTP and e-mail filtering, DNS.
- Expertise in virtualisation platforms, container orchestration and related tooling.
- Familiarity with monitoring and observability stacks (Prometheus, Grafana, Zabbix, ELK or equivalents).
- Skilled in leading complex network projects and providing senior-level technical support.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to simplify complexity and deliver practical solutions.
- Be a strategic thinker who can communicate network concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Excellent planning and organising skills to determine and manage project timescales and estimates.
- Excellent communications & influencing skills.
- Experience of working in an ISO27001 environment
The following skills and experience are also desirable:
- JNCIE or CCIE
- NSE7 or equivalent
What’s in it for you?
At RM we have My Work Blend @RM which provides office-based colleagues with multi location and hybrid working options. As well as your office base, you can spend a proportion of your time working at other locations that suit your role and your life, including home, other offices, customer sites, distribution centres or on the move. We encourage you to discuss arrangements for this role with your potential line manager during the recruitment process.
RM is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all permanent and temporary staff to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
As well as a competitive salary and our core benefits package which includes private medical healthcare, life assurance and a Group Personal Pension Plan with higher contribution levels available, some roles are also eligible for a performance-related bonus. There are lots of voluntary benefits too. You could buy additional annual leave, join our dental plan, sign up for a health assessment, or take part in our cycle to work scheme. You could even earn yourself an extra bonus for successfully recommending a friend or family member for a position within RM.
To better reflect the society that we serve, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. To achieve this, we create teams of talented people from different backgrounds and experiences and strive to be a business where our people can bring their whole selves to work, we also want to make the recruitment process as inclusive as possible for everyone. Should you require additional support with your application or through the interview process, please contact us at recruitment@rm.com.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
