Senior Network Engineer
Summary
This senior network engineering role involves designing, implementing, and supporting hybrid cloud and enterprise network infrastructure for a federal government agency. The position requires active NV1 security clearance and involves hands-on technical work, vendor management, and mentoring junior staff.
Senior Network Engineer — Hybrid Cloud & Enterprise Networks
Federal Government | Canberra ACT — Onsite | Through to June 2028 + 12-Month Extension
A senior, EL1-equivalent network engineering contract running through to 30 June 2028, with a further 12-month extension option. Estimated start early October.
You must hold an active NV1 clearance to commence. Australian citizenship required.
About the work
A federal government agency is running a hybrid cloud transition across a national network estate — on-premises infrastructure, multiple cloud providers, and integration with several network partners. You'll take the design, implementation and operational support of those network services.
This is a hands-on senior engineering role with a design and advisory edge. You'll own complex network problems end to end, set the standard for how the estate is built and hardened, and be the person vendors and partners deal with directly. There's also a mentoring component — developing engineers at lower classifications is part of the job, not an afterthought.
What you'll be doing
• Analysing, developing and evaluating complex network and telecommunications designs, specifications, data models and diagrams
• Researching and monitoring network infrastructure so it runs at optimal performance with strong resilience and redundancy
• Building, configuring and supporting network integration with multiple network partners across a hybrid cloud journey
• Assessing and recommending improvements to network operations and integrated hardware, software and operating systems
• Keeping the device and appliance fleet aligned to cyber-recommended patch levels and hardening standards
• Installing, configuring, testing, maintaining and administering new and upgraded networks and applications
• Network programming in support of specific business requirements
• Maintaining procedures, maintenance instructions, network inventory documentation and fault diagnosis records
• Monitoring traffic, capacity and usage to protect integrity and performance
• Resolving network problems and emergencies, including escalations
• Mentoring engineers at lower classifications and building team capability
• Managing vendor and telecommunications provider relationships, and representing the agency in technical forums
What you'll bring
Strong depth across the essentials:
• Research, analysis and monitoring of network infrastructure, with the judgement to recommend real improvements
• Install, configure, test, maintain and administer networks — including troubleshooting problems and emergencies under pressure
• Solid Layer 2 — VLANs, trunking, Spanning Tree
• Modern cloud-based networking technologies, in a genuine hybrid estate
• Communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, with clear justification for your recommendations
• Stakeholder engagement across a geographically dispersed network, and collaboration with vendors and IT partners
• Setting priorities and managing risk against hard delivery deadlines
Well regarded and on top of that:
• Firewall configuration and maintenance
• Dynamic routing protocols — BGP, OSPF
• DWDM optical network deployment and maintenance
• L4–7 application performance troubleshooting
• DNS and DHCP infrastructure
• Contributing to network and infrastructure architecture, standards and roadmaps
• Architectural governance artefacts — strategies, policies, technology standards
• A relevant bachelor's degree or higher — though five years of relevant experience or vendor certification will substitute
Location & working arrangements
This role is onsite at a Canberra national office. Hybrid arrangements may be considered at the hiring manager's discretion.
• Canberra-based, ACT
• 40 hours per week maximum
• Hybrid at the discretion of hiring manager
What's in it for you
• Initial contract running through to 30 June 2027, plus a 12-month extension option
• Estimated start Tuesday 6 October 2026
• EL1-equivalent seniority with real technical ownership
• A hybrid cloud transition across multiple providers
What we'll need from you
This role is filled through a government procurement process with strict submission rules, so applications need a little more than a CV. If you're shortlisted we'll work with you on:
• A resume of no more than three pages — this limit is enforced, so we'll help you cut it down
• A one-page pitch (5,000 characters) addressing the selection criteria — we'll give you the criteria and help you shape it
• A completed candidate submission guide covering availability, location, citizenship, clearance, planned leave and other engagements
• Your available start date and hourly rate
• Citizenship status and clearance details, including your AGSVA/CSID number
Applications close with us shortly
About ContractRoll
Canberra-based boutique labour hire, trading since 2019. We've placed multiple talented contractors in large federal government departments and private agencies.