Assistant Network Designer

Details


1110067


University of Staffordshire


20/04/2026


2 Months


Monday - Friday, 20 hours per week. Flexible working hours


Smart Casual

Pay


£13.50


£1.63

Description

Role
In this role you will be assisting with the planning, designing, and documenting of reliable, secure, and scalable local area network (LAN) infrastructures for primary and secondary schools. This role focuses on delivering high-performance wired and wireless networks using structured cabling (Cat 6A), fibre backbones (OM4), and enterprise-grade switching and wireless solutions from Aruba Networks.

 
This is a 1-2 month project with a possibility of extension.
 
Working days and hours are Monday - Friday, 20 hours per week. Flexible working hours and days are available. 
 
The successful candidate would receive training and work with a senior network designer.

Duties and responsibilities

  • Design and develop local area network (LAN) infrastructure solutions tailored to educational environments
  • Produce detailed network designs including:Structured cabling layouts using Cat 6AFibre backbone design using OM4 multimode fibreCabinet/rack layouts and patching schedules
  • Specify, configure, and integrate Aruba Switches for core, distribution, and access layers.
  • Design and position Aruba Wi-Fi Access Points to ensure full wireless coverage and capacity across school sites.
  • Conduct remote wireless site surveys and heat mapping to optimize performance and coverage.
  • Ensure network designs support:High device density (student devices, staff laptops, tablets)Reliable connectivity for digital learning platforms
  • Create documentation including network diagrams, Cabinet layouts and cable routes.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g., structured cabling standards, health & safety, and education IT policies).

Skills and experience

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Attention to detail in documentation and design
  • Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
  • Organised and able to manage multiple projects
  • Good understanding of LAN design principles (core/distribution/access architecture)
  • Understanding of:Cat 6A structured cabling systemsOM4 fibre optic infrastructure
  • Familiarity with:VLANs, subnetting, and IP addressingPoE (Power over Ethernet) for access points and devicesNetwork security fundamentals (ACLs, segmentation)
  • Ability to use network design and diagramming tools (e.g., Visio)
Desirable projects they would like you to have previous experience with:

Projects they would expect you to have worked on:

  • Full network design for new school builds
  • Upgrading legacy school networks to gigabit/multi-gigabit infrastructure
  • Expanding wireless coverage to support 1:1 student device programs
  • Designing resilient fibre backbones between buildings

Location
Stoke on Trent

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary
  • Holiday Pay
  • Pension Scheme
  • Flexible working hours 

Apply for job