Network Engineer

  • Full-Time
  • On-Site
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Job Description:

Job Purpose

Deliver and support secure, reliable and well-documented network and communications services across novaterra Energy's corporate offices and remote oil & gas field sites. The role runs day-to-day network operations, maintains connectivity for field operations, and ensures managed service providers and vendors deliver to the agreed scope, quality and service levels.

Key Responsibilities

  • LAN/WAN administration: Administer, maintain and optimise switching, routing, VLANs and enterprise Wi-Fi across head office and site offices; maintain configuration standards and backups.

  • Firewall and network security: Configure, monitor and maintain firewalls, VPN and network security controls in line with the Information Security Policy; review firewall rules periodically.

  • Remote/site connectivity: Support field and remote site connectivity (Starlink, microwave, ISP and WAN links); monitor link performance, failover and resilience.

  • Video conferencing and collaboration: Support Microsoft Teams, meeting-room systems and telephony; ensure reliable conferencing for management and field teams.

  • Communications infrastructure: Support structured cabling, network cabinets and communications equipment at offices and sites; participate in new site and building network installations.

  • Network performance monitoring: Monitor availability, performance and capacity using network monitoring tools; identify issues proactively and recommend improvements.

  • Incident, problem and change management: Resolve network incidents within SLA through the IT service management process; raise and implement network changes under the Network Change Procedure.

  • Documentation: Maintain network diagrams, IP address register, device inventory, configuration backups and the Starlink/connectivity register.

  • Vendor and MSP coordination: Coordinate installations, escalations and remote access with MSPs, ISPs and network vendors; verify delivered work against agreed scope and SLAs.

  • Technical evaluation: Support technical evaluation of network RFQs and vendor proposals, and the acceptance testing of delivered work.

  • Security collaboration: Work with the Cybersecurity function on vulnerability remediation, access controls and incident response.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Telecommunications or Network Engineering.

  • Experience: Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in network infrastructure and administration. Experience in oil & gas, utilities, telecoms or other multi-site / remote operations is preferred.

  • Knowledge & Skills:

  • Routing and switching (TCP/IP, VLANs, static routing, OSPF/BGP fundamentals)

  • Next-generation firewalls (e.g. Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco) and site-to-site / remote-access VPN

  • Enterprise Wi-Fi and network access control (802.1X, WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise)

  • Satellite (Starlink/VSAT), microwave and WAN link troubleshooting

  • Network monitoring tools (e.g. PRTG, Zabbix, SolarWinds) and log analysis

  • Microsoft Teams / Teams Rooms, video conferencing and VoIP fundamentals

  • Structured cabling standards and network documentation practices

  • Awareness of IT/OT network segmentation and network security best practices (ISO 27001, IEC 62443 concepts)

  • Languages: Fluent Arabic and English (written and spoken).

  • Certifications: CCNA or equivalent preferred; CCNP, Fortinet NSE 4, Palo Alto PCNSA or CompTIA Security+ preferred.

Key Competencies

Ownership and independence: Works with minimal supervision and takes end-to-end ownership of issues until resolved.

Analytical troubleshooting: Diagnoses complex connectivity and performance problems methodically, including on remote links.

Service orientation: Understands the impact of network outages on operations and prioritises accordingly.

Vendor management: Holds MSPs and suppliers to agreed scope, quality and SLAs.

Documentation discipline: Keeps diagrams, registers and change records accurate and current.

Communication: Explains technical issues clearly to non-technical users and management.

Security mindset: Applies security-by-default in every configuration and change.

Flexibility: Willing to travel to and work at remote field sites as operations require.