Network Engineer

Cisco ISE Network Security Engineer

Location: Luton (20% onsite / 80% remote)
Rate: £60-£65 per hour (Inside IR35)
Duration: 6 months
Security Clearance: BPSS required prior to start

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cisco ISE Network Security Engineer to support the delivery of a unified Network Access Control (NAC) solution across a large enterprise environment. This project will enhance network security, standardise access control, and centralise policy management across multiple UK locations.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the deployment, configuration, testing, migration, and go-live activities associated with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) appliances and services. This includes implementing approved low-level designs, migrating existing NAC services, and providing technical leadership throughout the deployment lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the deployment, configuration, and implementation of Cisco ISE solutions across enterprise environments.
Implement Network Access Control (NAC) policies, including:
802.1X authentication
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)
Guest access and onboarding workflows
Configure and support Cisco ISE hardware appliances across multiple geographically dispersed sites.
Integrate Cisco ISE with:
Cisco switching and wireless infrastructure
Firewalls
Microsoft Entra ID
Active Directory
Perform functional, failover, and acceptance testing.
Troubleshoot complex authentication and network access issues during deployment and early-life support.
Design and implement guest access solutions, including captive portals, onboarding workflows, and sponsor portals.
Collaborate with security teams to ensure compliance with organisational security policies.
Produce and maintain technical documentation, including implementation guides, design documents, and operational procedures.
Provide both remote and onsite support during deployment and post-implementation phases.
Participate in incident response activities and root cause analysis investigations.
Deliver knowledge transfer sessions and technical workshops to internal IT teams.

Required Skills & Experience

Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) preferred.
CCNA candidates with extensive Cisco ISE implementation experience will also be considered.
Cisco Fire Jumper Field Engineer Certification.

Technical Experience

Candidates must demonstrate proven experience delivering Cisco ISE solutions with the following capabilities:

Cisco ISE 3.x or later.
High-availability deployments across multiple sites.
802.1X authentication for wired and wireless environments.
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB).
Guest access and customised onboarding workflows.
Integration with existing Cisco network infrastructure.
Microsoft NPS integration and support.
Multiple end-to-end Cisco ISE deployments, including migration of existing NAC services and devices.
Experience working within large-scale, multi-site enterprise environments.

Preferred Skills

Endpoint compliance and posture assessment within Cisco ISE.
Device profiling and policy enforcement.
Integration with third-party security solutions such as:
SIEM platforms
Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions
Other security tooling

Soft Skills

Strong analytical and troubleshooting capabilities.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Strong documentation and reporting abilities.
Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-pressure project environments