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, maintaining a reliable, secure and high-performing network is central to the service we provide. Our network team is responsible for supporting and developing this infrastructure across multiple environments, ensuring customers remain connected while continuously improving network performance, capacity and resilience.

We are looking for an experienced Network Engineer to join our team. This is a hands-on role suited to a seasoned networking professional with strong networking fundamentals, extensive practical experience and the technical depth to independently troubleshoot, configure and maintain complex network infrastructure within a fast-paced ISP environment.

The successful candidate will take a high level of ownership for the day-to-day administration, monitoring, maintenance and optimisation of our network. You will also be involved in network planning, infrastructure changes and upgrades, new site configurations, capacity improvements and technical projects, with the ability to independently investigate and resolve more complex network issues.

This position requires someone who is comfortable working across both operational and project-based networking requirements, can make sound technical decisions and has the experience to identify potential network improvements before they become operational issues.

If you are an experienced Network Engineer with strong networking fundamentals, advanced troubleshooting capabilities and a passion for building and maintaining reliable network infrastructure, we would like to hear from you.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Administer, monitor and maintain network infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, availability and reliability.
• Independently diagnose and resolve complex network connectivity, routing and performance issues.
• Proactively monitor network systems and identify potential issues before they impact customers or operations.
• Plan and implement network changes, upgrades and improvements to increase performance, capacity and reliability.
• Configure and assist with the planning and implementation of networks at new sites.
• Configure, maintain and troubleshoot routing and switching technologies.
• Perform ongoing maintenance and optimisation of systems and networks supporting commercial and residential clients.
• Implement scheduled network changes while managing risk and minimising disruption to operations.
• Participate in IT and network projects, including system updates, upgrades, migrations and planned outages.
• Identify infrastructure requirements, capacity constraints and opportunities for network expansion or improvement.
• Analyse existing network configurations and recommend practical improvements to performance and resilience.
• Work collaboratively with the network team to support the continued expansion of our customer and network footprint.
• Provide technical input and guidance when resolving more complex networking issues.
• Liaise with other business units to understand technical requirements and implement appropriate network solutions.
• Administer GSuite and assist with integration across relevant systems.
• Manage and monitor software backup processes, ensuring backups are regularly tested.
• Administer and maintain the VoIP platform.
• Monitor overall network health, capacity and performance and proactively address connectivity or infrastructure issues.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date network diagrams, configurations and technical documentation.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate technical solutions and assist with implementation within agreed timelines.
• Ensure network infrastructure and technologies remain current, scalable and capable of supporting continued growth.
• Participate in the rotational on-call schedule and assist with network incidents when required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or relevant tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Information Technology, Networking or a related field.
• Relevant 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 or telecommunications environment would be highly advantageous.
• Strong practical experience working with networking brands such as Juniper, MikroTik, Cisco, Dell, HP and Ubiquiti.
• Strong understanding of Layer 2 technologies and protocols, including VLANs, QinQ and STP.
• Strong understanding of IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnetting and network fundamentals.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience with routing protocols such as OSPF.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting VPN technologies, including technologies such as EoIP.
• Strong practical understanding of routing, switching, Wi-Fi and VoIP technologies.
• Experience diagnosing and resolving complex network connectivity and performance issues.
• Experience implementing network changes, upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
• Understanding of network capacity, redundancy, resilience and failover principles.
• General technical IT knowledge, including operating systems such as ChromeOS and macOS and a strong understanding of computer and network operations.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong understanding of LAN and WAN networking fundamentals.
• Strong knowledge of network security principles, including firewalls and VPNs.
• Advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to independently investigate technical issues and drive them through to resolution.
• Ability to assess network performance and identify opportunities for optimisation.
• Ability to optimise network performance through appropriate traffic management and Quality of Service (QoS) configurations.
• Understanding of cloud networking and cloud-based services, including platforms such as Google Cloud.
• Knowledge of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) would be advantageous.
• Ability to evaluate technical requirements and recommend practical network solutions.
• Excellent attention to detail when completing network configurations 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.
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and changing technical environments.
• A proactive approach to identifying and resolving network issues.
• A continuous improvement mindset and willingness to remain current with networking technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

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.
• Complimentary barista-made coffee and subsidised snacks at our modern Claremont office.
• Discounted Faircom fibre packages for employees.
• Opportunity to work with complex network infrastructure and contribute to high-impact technical projects across a growing ISP environment.
• Exposure to a broad range of networking technologies, infrastructure and connectivity solutions.
• Join a stable, growing organisation that values long-term career growth and internal development.
• Collaborative, fast-paced and supportive environment where technical expertise, initiative and ideas are valued.
• Be part of a well-resourced technical team focused on continuously improving network performance, reliability and infrastructure.

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 qualifications, relevant experience 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.