Our client is looking for an IP NOC (Network Operations Centre) Engineer to support the supervision, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of its IP network infrastructure.
About the Company
Our client is a key player in the Belgian, German, and European energy landscape. As part of a leading European transmission system operator, the organisation contributes to the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply in Belgium and Germany.
Working alongside internal employees and other contingent workers, the consultant will help build a sustainable, reliable, and future-proof energy infrastructure.
Department
The IP Networks team is part of the Datacom department, which is responsible for:
- Datacom transport networks supporting IP and IT environments.
- Fibre and copper networks, supplemented by leased connections.
- Technologies including PDH, SDH, DWDM, FC, and IP/MPLS.
- IP, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi networks supporting telephony and core business activities across offices, data centres, and dispatching centres.
- Direct IP connections with electricity transmission, distribution, and generation companies.
- Internet connectivity.
- Network security through firewalls, DMZs, VPN concentrators, and related technologies.
- Networks connecting high-voltage substations and data centres.
- The migration of legacy TDM networks to Ethernet, IP, and MPLS technologies.
- Connections with other transmission system operators for remote surveillance, protection, and telephony.
Key Responsibilities
IP Network Monitoring
- Monitor and validate information and alarms generated by network management systems and network devices.
- Supervise technologies including:
- Cisco and Juniper routing and switching
- F5 load balancing
- Check Point and Palo Alto firewalls
- Cisco ISE authentication
- IP address management
- DHCP
- Infoblox DNS
- Cisco VPN concentrators
Configuration and Maintenance
- Act as the single point of contact for IP network requests from:
- IT helpdesk
- Server teams
- Asset Management teams
- Datacom colleagues
- Other internal departments
- Handle changes, new requests, failure reports, and information requests.
- Implement and resolve requests in close collaboration with other team members.
- Install, replace, stage, and configure network hardware at administrative sites and data centres.
- Perform most activities remotely, with occasional on-site interventions across two data centres and ten administrative sites in Belgium.
- Take on tasks with a scope and complexity aligned with experience, evolving over time.
Troubleshooting
- Perform first-level network troubleshooting.
- Analyse and correlate network events.
- Collaborate with senior network architects on complex incidents.
- Implement temporary workarounds when necessary.
- Dispatch, track, and follow up on incidents.
- Coordinate incident resolution with technology vendors and service providers.
Knowledge and Information Management
- Share technical knowledge through:
- On-the-job training
- Workshops
- Written procedures
- Keep inventories and technical information up to date in:
- Network management systems
- Excel files
- Microsoft Visio diagrams
- Actively contribute to operational and maintenance improvements.
Technical Requirements
The successful candidate must have:
- Broad practical and operational knowledge of IP networks in multi-site and data-centre environments.
- Experience with:
- Switches and routers
- Load balancers
- Authentication systems
- Firewalls
- DHCP and DNS appliances
- IP network management
- Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting Cisco switches and routers.
- Experience with firewall technologies.
- Approximately five years of relevant experience, preferably as an IP NOC Helpdesk Officer or in a similar operational network role.
- A bachelor’s degree in electronics, ICT, telecommunications, or equivalent technical experience.
Languages
- Fluent spoken and written English.
- Fluent spoken and written French or Dutch.
Personal Competencies
The ideal candidate is:
- Independent and methodical.
- Responsible and capable of assessing operational risks.
- Customer-oriented and stress-resistant.
- Flexible and approachable.
- Able to respond effectively when planned work is interrupted by urgent operational issues.
- Committed to continuously developing technical IP networking knowledge.
- A strong communicator, particularly when interacting by phone with colleagues, internal departments, vendors, and service providers.
