Network Engineer

iSAM is an innovative, financial technology firm specialising in quantitative trading, comprised of iSAM Funds and iSAM Securities.

iSAM Securities regulated by the FCA, SFC, and CIMA registered, is a leading algorithmic trading firm and trusted electronic market maker, providing liquidity, technology and prime services to institutional clients and trading venues globally. The firm offers full-service prime brokerage and execution via its cutting-edge proprietary technology, as well as market leading analytics, cleared through the group’s bank Prime Brokers.

iSAM Funds is an alternative asset manager specialising in systematic investing. Each strategy is unique, provides a specialist quantitative approach and is designed to deliver highly diversifying absolute returns for institutional portfolios.

Summary:
We are actively seeking a highly skilled Network Engineer with a robust background in Wi-Fi, switching, routing, firewall technologies, and network automation principles. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of network protocols, network security, and automation frameworks to enhance overall network performance and reliability.

Responsibilities:
•    Design, implement, and maintain network infrastructure across data centers, cloud environments, and office settings.
•    Develop and implement firewall policies and VPN connectivity solutions.
•    Install, configure, and cable network hardware within a data center environment.
•    Collaborate closely with infrastructure and development teams to ensure that network solutions align with business requirements and adhere to engineering best practices.
•    Develop and implement network automation tools to enhance operational efficiency and minimize manual intervention.
•    Provide business-as-usual support for network infrastructure and participate in an on-call rotation.
•    Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation.

Required Skills & Experience:
Core Networking
•    Extensive enterprise and data center networking experience, with expertise equivalent to CCNP/CCIE level.
•    Thorough understanding of networking fundamentals, including the OSI model, TCP/IP, routing, switching, and network design principles.
•    Experience with:
o    BGP, MP-BGP, VRF, and route leaking
o    Internet and private peering connectivity
o    Multicast technologies (IGMP/PIM)
o    OSPF
Network Security
•    Solid understanding of firewall policies, IPSEC VPNs, SSL technologies, and network security best practices.
•    Experience in implementing and supporting Network Access Control (NAC) platforms such as Cisco ISE, Arista AGNI, or similar 802.1x solutions.
Automation & Observability
•    Experience with Python scripting and network automation frameworks.
•    Operational proficiency in Linux.
•    Hands-on experience with some of the following tools:
o    Ansible
o    Terraform
o    Jinja2
o    NetBox
o    Git, GitLab CI/CD
Bonus Qualifications:
•    Experience with overlay networks (EVPN / VXLAN).
•    Experience with cloud networking technologies across AWS, Azure, or GCP.
•    Experience in low-latency, high-performance, or financial services environments.
•    Familiarity with observability and monitoring platforms including:
o    Prometheus
o    Alert Manager
o    Grafana

Personal Attributes:

• Clear communication – articulates technical concepts concisely and effectively.
• Adaptability – adjusts to new technologies and navigates unexpected challenges.
• Analytical thinking – systematically breaks down complex issues.
• Decision-making – balances speed and accuracy in technical decisions.
  • Collaboration over competition – prioritizes team success over individual achievements.
  • Accountability – follows through on commitments and takes ownership of mistakes.
  • Patience – provides support to teammates as they learn or troubleshoot issues.
  • Open to feedback – welcomes and applies suggestions for improvement.
  • Growth mindset – consistently seeks ways to enhance skills and workflows.
  • Proactiveness – takes initiative rather than waiting for direction.

Key Outcomes:
Success in the Network Engineer role at iSAM extends beyond network management—it encompasses building relationships, problem-solving, and making a significant impact on the team and the organization.
• Contributes to a positive, inclusive team culture where knowledge sharing is encouraged.
• Enhances automation frameworks, thereby reducing manual effort and deployment risks.
• Resolves issues swiftly and documents solutions for future reference.
• Takes full responsibility for automation scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools.
• Recognized by peers and leadership as a dependable resource for automation challenges.
• Trusted to make informed decisions that align with team and company objectives.