Network and Security Engineer

Midland Steel is an innovative and progressive steel reinforcement manufacturer, supplier, and specialist contractor, with established operations in Ireland and the UK and a growing presence across Europe, the USA, and other international markets.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Network & Security Engineer to join our growing technical operations team. This is a hands-on position focused on the design, support, and optimisation of secure network and cloud infrastructure across multiple environments.

The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in network security, firewall administration, cloud networking, Microsoft technologies, and infrastructure operations, with the ability to take ownership of complex technical issues and infrastructure projects from inception through to completion.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically driven professional who enjoys solving challenging problems, improving security posture, and supporting modern IT environments.

Key Responsibilities

Network & Security Operations

• Configure, administer, and troubleshoot SonicWall firewalls (TZ and NSa series).
• Design and maintain security policies, NAT rules, DPI-SSL, Content Filtering Services (CFS), and High Availability (HA) configurations.
• Implement and support Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking environments.
• Manage switching infrastructure, VLAN segmentation, trunking, inter-VLAN routing, and wireless networks.
• Deploy and maintain Site-to-Site IPsec VPNs and remote access VPN solutions.
• Support hybrid connectivity between on-premises environments and Azure/AWS.
• Perform advanced network diagnostics, packet analysis, bandwidth optimisation, and QoS management.

Cloud & Infrastructure Administration

• Manage Azure networking services including:
• Virtual Networks (VNets)
• Network Security Groups (NSGs)
• User Defined Routes (UDRs)
• VPN Gateways
• ExpressRoute
• Administer Microsoft 365 services including:
• Exchange Online
• SharePoint Online
• Microsoft Teams
• Entra ID (Azure AD)
• Implement Conditional Access policies and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
• Support Windows Server environments (2016-2022), Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and Hyper-V.
• Manage endpoint security and device administration through Intune and Microsoft Defender.

Automation & Project Delivery

• Develop and maintain PowerShell scripts to automate operational tasks, reporting, identity management, and auditing.
• Support backup and disaster recovery solutions, including Veeam or equivalent platforms.
• Lead network refreshes, infrastructure upgrades, and cloud migration projects.
• Produce clear technical documentation, network diagrams, and operational procedures.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex infrastructure and security incidents.

Required Skills & Experience

Essential

• 3-7+ years' experience in IT Infrastructure, Network Engineering, or Systems Administration.
• Strong hands-on experience administering SonicWall firewalls or similar enterprise platforms such as Fortinet, Cisco, or Sophos.
• Excellent understanding of:
• TCP/IP
• IPv4 subnetting
• Routing and switching
• VLANs and 802.1Q tagging
• NAT
• DNS/DHCP
• BGP, OSPF, and static routing
• Proven experience implementing and troubleshooting:
• Site-to-Site VPNs
• IPsec tunnels
• IKEv1/IKEv2 configurations
• SSL VPN solutions
• Experience with Azure networking and hybrid cloud environments.
• Strong Microsoft 365 and Entra ID administration skills.
• Experience supporting Active Directory and Group Policy environments.
• Proficiency with PowerShell automation and scripting.
• Familiarity with Intune, Microsoft Defender, and Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) platforms.
• Experience with backup and disaster recovery technologies such as Veeam.

Personal Attributes

We're looking for someone who:

• Takes a structured and analytical approach to troubleshooting across Layers 1-7 of the OSI model.
• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability for complex technical issues.
• Communicates technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Remains calm and effective in fast-paced environments.
• Is highly organised and committed to maintaining excellent technical documentation.
• Enjoys continuous learning and keeping up with evolving technologies.

Desirable Certifications

The following certifications are highly desirable:

• SonicWall Network Security Administrator (SNSA)
• SonicWall Network Security Professional (SNSP)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Security+
• Cisco CyberOps Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert
• ITIL Foundation Certification