Senior Network Engineer

Faircom, a division of the Faircape Group, is a leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity solutions to residential and commercial customers. Our services include uncapped fibre, wireless connectivity and VoIP solutions, supported through partnerships with leading infrastructure providers as well as our own network infrastructure.

As our network and customer footprint continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Senior Network Engineer to join our technical team.

This is a hands-on senior technical role for an experienced networking professional who can independently troubleshoot complex network issues, configure and optimise production network infrastructure, and contribute to the continued development, capacity and resilience of our network.

You will work across routing, switching, fibre and ISP infrastructure, take ownership of complex network incidents and escalations, and contribute to network upgrades, new site implementations, capacity planning and infrastructure improvements.

Experience within an ISP, fibre or telecommunications environment would be highly advantageous.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Take ownership of complex network incidents, escalations and performance issues through to resolution.
• Configure, maintain and optimise production routing and switching infrastructure.
• Configure, maintain and troubleshoot dynamic routing protocols, including BGP and OSPF.
• Monitor network health, capacity, availability and performance and proactively address potential issues.
• Plan and implement network changes, upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
• Configure and support network infrastructure for new sites and network expansions.
• Analyse network capacity, redundancy and resilience and recommend practical improvements.
• Troubleshoot complex Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity, routing and performance issues.
• Configure and troubleshoot VLANs, QinQ, STP, VPNs and related networking technologies.
• Implement scheduled network changes while managing risk and minimising disruption to customers and operations.
• Contribute to network architecture, technical planning and infrastructure decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve network performance, scalability and reliability.
• Support the continued expansion of Faircom's residential and commercial network footprint.
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support to other members of the network team.
• Liaise with other business units to understand technical requirements and implement appropriate network solutions.
• Administer and maintain Faircom's VoIP infrastructure.
• Participate in technical projects, network migrations, upgrades and planned outages.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date network diagrams, configurations and technical documentation.
• Evaluate new networking technologies and recommend appropriate technical solutions where required.
• Participate in the rotational on-call schedule and assist with network-related incidents when required.

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science, Networking or a related field would be advantageous.
• Relevant industry-recognised networking certifications would be advantageous.
• MikroTik certification would be advantageous.

Experience and Knowledge

• Extensive hands-on experience in network engineering and network infrastructure.
• Experience independently managing, configuring and troubleshooting production network environments.
• Experience within an ISP, fibre or telecommunications environment would be highly advantageous.
• Strong practical knowledge and experience with BGP and OSPF.
• Strong understanding of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking technologies and protocols.
• Strong understanding of IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnetting and network fundamentals.
• Strong knowledge of VLANs, QinQ and STP.
• Hands-on experience with network platforms such as MikroTik, Juniper, Cisco and/or Ubiquiti.
• Strong practical understanding of routing, switching, Wi-Fi and VoIP technologies.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting VPN technologies, including technologies such as EoIP.
• Experience diagnosing and resolving complex network connectivity, routing, latency and performance issues.
• Experience implementing network changes, upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
• Strong understanding of network capacity, redundancy, resilience and failover principles.
• Strong understanding of network security principles, including firewalls and VPNs.
• Experience supporting network infrastructure within a high-availability production environment.

Skills and Attributes

• Advanced network troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to independently investigate complex technical issues and drive them through to resolution.
• Ability to assess network performance and identify opportunities for optimisation and improvement.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions within a production network environment.
• Ability to evaluate technical requirements and recommend practical network solutions.
• Strong attention to detail when completing network configurations, changes and documentation.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a technical team.
• Ability to manage competing technical priorities within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Proactive approach to identifying potential network issues before they impact customers.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to remain current with networking technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

Advantageous Experience

• Experience within an ISP or telecommunications network.
• MikroTik, Cisco, Juniper or other relevant networking certifications.
• Experience with VoIP infrastructure.
• Experience with Quality of Service (QoS) and traffic management.
• Exposure to network automation and network monitoring technologies.
• Knowledge of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV).
• Exposure to cloud networking and cloud-based services.
• Experience supporting large-scale residential or commercial connectivity networks.

Specific Requirements

• Valid driver's licence and reliable vehicle.
• Clear health record.
• Clear criminal record.
• Clear credit record.
• Contactable references.

Why Join Us?

• Above-market salary package with quarterly performance bonuses rewarding your contribution and impact.
• Flexible working hours with manager-approved flexi-time to support work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work directly with ISP network infrastructure across fibre, routing, switching, wireless and VoIP technologies.
• Opportunity to contribute to network architecture, capacity, resilience and future expansion.
• Exposure to complex technical projects across a growing ISP environment.
• Join a stable, growing organisation that values long-term career growth and internal development.
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment where technical expertise, initiative and ideas are valued.
• Be part of a well-resourced technical team focused on continuously improving network performance and reliability.
• Complimentary barista-made coffee and subsidised snacks at our modern Claremont office.
• Discounted Faircom fibre packages for employees.

Working Hours

Working hours are Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00, with a 45-minute lunch break.

With approval from your direct manager, Faircom offers flexi-time between 07:00 and 18:00.

The position includes participation in a rotational on-call schedule to provide support for network-related incidents outside of normal working hours when required.

Remuneration

We offer a competitive, market-related Cost to Company package. The final offer will be dependent on relevant experience, technical capability, qualifications and other market-related factors.

To learn more about Faircape and what we have to offer, visit our website:

https://faircape.co.za/

Should you not receive a response within two weeks of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.