£700 Per day
Inside
Onsite
Swanwick, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
Summary: We are looking for a Test Manager specializing in network validation for a senior-level role in the air traffic and critical national infrastructure sector. The position requires strong leadership and strategic oversight, with a focus on managing a team of testers and engaging with senior stakeholders. The role is based onsite in Swanwick, Southampton, with a contract duration of 6 months and potential for extension. The day rate for this position is £700 and is classified as inside IR35.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the network validation testing strategy, setting direction and best practices.
- Manage and coordinate a team of testers, ensuring high-quality delivery.
- Engage with senior stakeholders, providing clear communication and expert guidance.
- Oversee test planning, execution, and reporting in a complex network environment.
- Ensure compliance with security-cleared environments and industry standards.
Key Skills:
- Proven experience as a Test Manager in network environments.
- Strong background in Cisco networking within utilities, telecoms, or similar sectors.
- Extensive experience in stakeholder management at a senior level.
- Ability to set strategy and lead a testing function effectively.
- Must hold or be eligible for security clearance.
- Holding certs CCIE/CCNP.
- Strong understanding of Cisco Routing and Switching, TCP/IP, UDP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VLANs, QoS, and multicast.
- Proficient with tools such as Wireshark, Nmap, iPerf, SolarWinds.
- Ability to write test scripts or automate test execution using Python, Bash, Ansible or other network automation frameworks.
- Ability to isolate and troubleshoot network faults in complex, layered environments - especially in systems where uptime and safety are critical.
- Expertise of Firewalls (eg Cisco ASA, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Check Point), VPNs, ACLs, and segmented VRF type environment.
- Critical National Infrastructure network experience.
- Leadership capabilities.
Salary (Rate): £700 daily
City: Swanwick
Country: UK
Working Arrangements: on-site
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
Test Manager - Network Validation
Location: Swanwick, Southampton (Onsite)
Duration: 6 Month contract, strong scope to extend
Expenses: Covered
Day Rate: £700 (inside IR35)
We are seeking an experienced Test Manager for a priority hire within the air traffic and critical national infrastructure sector. This is a senior-level role requiring strong leadership, strategic oversight, and subject matter expertise in network validation testing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the network validation testing strategy, setting direction and best practices.
- Manage and coordinate a team of testers, ensuring high-quality delivery.
- Engage with senior stakeholders, providing clear communication and expert guidance.
- Oversee test planning, execution, and reporting in a complex network environment.
- Ensure compliance with security-cleared environments and industry standards.
Key Requirements:
- Proven experience as a Test Manager in network environments.
- Strong background in Cisco networking within utilities, telecoms, or similar sectors.
- Extensive experience in stakeholder management at a senior level.
- Ability to set strategy and lead a testing function effectively.
- Must hold or be eligible for security clearance.
- Holding certs CCIE/CCNP
- Strong understanding of Cisco Routing and Switching, TCP/IP, UDP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VLANs, QoS, and multicast.
- Proficient with tools such as Wireshark, Nmap, iPerf, SolarWinds.
- Ability to write test scripts or automate test execution using Python, Bash, Ansible or other network automation frameworks.
- Ability to isolate and troubleshoot network faults in complex, layered environments - especially in systems where uptime and safety are critical.
- Expertise of Firewalls (eg Cisco ASA, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Check Point), VPNs, ACLs, and segmented VRF type environment.
- Critical National Infrastructure network experience.
- Leadership capabilities.
Additional Information:
- Initial commitment of 2-3 days per week onsite, remainder will be remote working.
- Working closely with a major telecom provider integrating into air traffic systems.