Lead Network Engineer

Company: Hamilton Barnes ?
Apply for the Lead Network Engineer
Location: London
Job 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

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Posted: August 9th, 2026