A public sector organisation maintains multi-site datacenters and operational networks that support secure services for internal users and external partners. This Network Engineer role exists to design, install and maintain routed and switched infrastructure including optical fiber and WDM links, operate next generation firewalls and IPSec VPNs, and automate routine tasks with Python while using open source monitoring and SIEM tools.
The mission
The team manages network and security infrastructure across several sites and datacenters, with responsibility for routing, switching, fibre transport and perimeter security. The technical landscape combines commercial and open source tooling: Linux hosts, network monitoring (Zabbix/Prometheus/LibreNMS), SIEM/log collectors and infrastructure automation tools such as Ansible and NetBox.
On a typical day you will design and configure routed and switched networks, deploy and tune (Next Generation) firewall rules and IPSec VPNs, and perform physical installation and cabling of network equipment in racks. You will script processes in Python, integrate monitoring and log collection for incident investigation, and keep clear technical documentation while working closely with operations and security teams.
Your responsibilities
- Design and deliver routed and switched network segments and optical fiber WDM links, ensuring availability and maintainability
- Configure and maintain (Next Generation) firewalls and IPSec VPNs, producing secure and auditable firewall configurations
- Install and commission physical network equipment in datacenters and sites, including rack mounting and structured cabling
- Automate repetitive tasks and configuration changes with Python scripts and Ansible playbooks to reduce manual intervention
- Operate and extend network monitoring and SIEM tooling, analyse logs from log collectors and support incident investigations
- Produce and maintain clear technical documentation and support change activities with the operations and security teams
Your profile
Essential skills
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in routing and switching and practical familiarity with layer 2 and layer 3 concepts
- Strong skills with Python for scripting and automation, and experience with open source automation tools (Ansible, NetBox)
- Operational experience with (Next Generation) firewalls and IPSec VPN configuration
- Practical experience with optical fiber networks and WDM technology, and with physical installation of network equipment
- Comfortable with Linux system administration at user and basic admin level
- Experience operating network monitoring tools and SIEM/log collectors for log analysis and incident support
- Valid driving licence B and willingness to work on-site full time
- Hold Belgian nationality or be able to obtain national, NATO and EU security clearances
Preferred skills
- CCNA or similar networking certification, CCNP is an advantage
- Experience with fiber test equipment such as OTDR and power meter
- Familiarity with network security frameworks, ITIL change management or equivalent processes
Languages
- Dutch: C1
- French: C1
- English: C1
Education
- Bachelor's degree in ICT, Computer Science or equivalent practical experience