Network Engineer (Azure)

About Methods

Methods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy that partners with central government departments, agencies, and commercial organisations to deliver meaningful digital transformation. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based, we combine expertise in transformation, delivery, technology, and collaboration to create people-centred solutions that deliver lasting value.

Predominantly focused on the public sector, whilst continuing to expand its private sector presence, Methods combines deep consulting expertise with the capability and scale of the Alten Group, which acquired Methods in 2022.

As part of our continued growth, we are seeking experienced and technically capable Azure Network Engineers to design, build, secure and manage networking solutions across cloud and hybrid environments.

This role centres on Microsoft Azure networking services and supports the delivery of secure, resilient and scalable connectivity for enterprise systems, including virtual networks, routing, firewalls, private connectivity, load balancing and hybrid network integration.

Requirements

The Azure Network Engineer carries out the following activities:

1. Azure Network Design & Implementation

· Design Azure networking solutions that align to customer cloud strategies, business outcomes and technical requirements.

· Build, configure and support Azure Virtual Networks, subnets, route tables, network security groups, application security groups and network interfaces.

· Implement secure cloud and hybrid connectivity patterns, including VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute, Azure Virtual WAN, private endpoints and DNS integration.

· Configure network security controls, including Azure Firewall, Web Application Firewall, DDoS Protection, NSGs and traffic inspection patterns.

· Implement resilient application delivery and traffic management using Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Front Door and Traffic Manager.

· Apply secure-by-design principles across network segmentation, routing, connectivity, monitoring and operational support.

· Produce high-quality technical documentation, including network designs, configuration guides, deployment plans and support handover materials.

· Work closely with architects, cloud engineers, cyber security specialists and customer stakeholders to ensure Azure networking solutions are secure, practical and deliverable.

2. Hybrid Connectivity, Routing & Traffic Management

· Build and maintain network connectivity between Azure, on-premises environments, third-party cloud platforms and SaaS services.

· Configure and support routing, peering, hub-and-spoke network models, virtual network gateways, ExpressRoute circuits and VPN connectivity.

· Implement private connectivity and name resolution using Private Link, private endpoints, DNS zones and resolver patterns.

· Support integration with Azure services, Microsoft 365, identity platforms, security tooling and enterprise infrastructure.

· Develop and support network segmentation, routing policies, connectivity standards and access control models.

· Troubleshoot network connectivity, routing, DNS, firewall, latency, packet flow and application access issues.

· Ensure Azure network solutions support resilience, scalability, performance, auditability and secure access to critical systems and data.

3. Network Security, Governance & Operational Support

· Configure network security policies, firewall rules, routing controls, access restrictions and traffic inspection capabilities.

· Implement secure-by-design patterns aligned to Zero Trust, least privilege, defence-in-depth and cloud security best practice.

· Support network governance processes, including naming standards, tagging, policy compliance, change control, audit reporting and cost management.

· Establish monitoring, logging, alerting and operational support processes using Azure Monitor, Network Watcher, Traffic Analytics and related tooling.

· Investigate and resolve network incidents, connectivity failures, firewall issues, DNS problems and performance constraints.

· Support testing, release management, migration activity and transition into live service.

· Contribute to technical assurance reviews, identifying risks, dependencies and improvement opportunities across Azure network environments.

· Maintain awareness of emerging network security threats, Microsoft Azure networking updates, cloud connectivity developments and industry best practice.

4. Collaboration & Capability Development

· Work collaboratively with delivery teams, architects, cyber security specialists, business analysts and customer stakeholders to translate requirements into secure Azure networking solutions.

· Support pre-sales and discovery activity by providing technical input, estimates and solution options where required.

· Contribute to reusable Methods assets, accelerators, templates and delivery standards for Azure networking and cloud connectivity.

· Share knowledge with colleagues and support the development of Methods' wider cloud, cyber security and Microsoft capability.

Desirable Skills & Experience

· Proven experience designing, implementing, configuring or supporting Azure networking solutions.

· Strong understanding of Azure networking services, including Virtual Networks, subnets, peering, route tables, NSGs, Azure Firewall, Application Gateway and load balancing.

· Experience with hybrid connectivity, including VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute, Azure Virtual WAN, DNS, Private Link and private endpoints.

· Knowledge of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, routing, DNS, firewalls, NAT, load balancing, segmentation and traffic inspection.

· Experience integrating Azure networking with Microsoft 365, identity platforms, security tooling, SaaS applications and on-premises infrastructure.

· Understanding of Zero Trust, network security, least privilege, governance, audit, compliance and cyber security best practice.

· Ability to troubleshoot connectivity, routing, DNS, firewall, packet flow, latency and performance-related issues.

· Experience working in Agile delivery teams and producing clear technical documentation.

· Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

· Self-motivated, collaborative and able to work across multiple client environments and delivery priorities.

Professional Qualifications (Desirable)

· Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate

· Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

· Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate

· Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or equivalent, would be advantageous

· Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or equivalent networking qualification would be advantageous

· Agile Practitioner, Scrum Master, PRINCE2, or equivalent delivery qualification

Why Join Methods?

· Opportunity to design and deliver secure, resilient Azure networking solutions for complex cloud and hybrid client environments.

· Work alongside experienced consultants, architects, engineers, cyber security specialists and digital transformation professionals.

· Access to continuous learning, Microsoft certification support and professional development.

· Be part of a collaborative, people-centred organisation that values innovation, delivery excellence and long-term customer relationships.

· Contribute to the growth of Methods' cloud, cyber security, Microsoft and network engineering capability across public and private sector clients.

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This role will require you to have, or be willing to undergo, appropriate security clearance depending on client requirements.

Benefits

By joining us you can expect:

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
• Strong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadership
• A supportive and collaborative environment.

As well as this, we offer:

• Development access to LinkedIn Learning, a management development programme and training
• Wellness 24/7 Confidential employee assistance programme
• Social – Breakfast Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays and Pizza on the last Thursday of each month as well as commitment to charitable causes
• Time off 25 days a year
• Pension Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution
• Discretionary Company Bonus based on company and individual performance
• Life Assurance of 4 times base salary
• Private Medical Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)
• Worldwide Travel Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)