Network Engineers (Relocate To Netherlands)

Our client is an established IT services provider with a strong position in the Dutch market. The organisation helps customers future-proof their digital environments and delivers high-quality IT solutions across development, cloud, workspace, networking, and security.

Its services range from large-scale enterprise environments to tailored solutions for medium-sized organisations. Our client works on business-critical IT platforms and infrastructures that customers rely on every day. What sets the organisation apart is its combination of technical depth and a people-focused culture, where innovation, collaboration, and knowledge development are central. You will have plenty of room for initiative, personal growth, and technical impact while working with modern technologies on solutions that genuinely help organisations move forward.

About the role

Many Network Engineers primarily focus on managing existing network environments. This role is different. Our client develops and operates its own ISP platform, providing network services to business customers. From this platform, the organisation delivers modern Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) solutions to organisations that depend on reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructure.

As a Network Engineer, you will work across both sides of the profession. You will manage and optimise business-critical customer environments while also contributing to the network platform on which a significant part of our client’s services is built. You will have direct influence on the technology, configuration, automation, and further development of the network services. Previous experience in an ISP environment is not required; more important is a solid technical foundation in networking and practical experience with the technologies on which the platform is built.

Environment

You will join a specialised network team of approximately seven engineers responsible for managing and further developing the organisation's own ISP platform and its network services for customers. Moving forward, this platform will play an increasingly important role within our client’s wider service offering.

The technical environment is primarily based on:

• Fortinet, including FortiGate, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, FortiAuthenticator, and FortiEMS
• HPE Aruba, including CX Switching and Wireless
• Automation using technologies such as Python, Ansible, and API integrations

Your day-to-day work will primarily focus on Fortinet/FortiGate and HPE Aruba. While automation is becoming increasingly important, it is not a strict core requirement for this medior-level position.

What will you do?

As a Network Engineer, you will be responsible for both the reliable operation and continuous improvement of customer network environments and the underlying platform.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Designing and implementing network solutions for customers
• Managing and optimising business-critical network environments
• Configuring and managing Fortinet and HPE Aruba solutions
• Analysing and resolving network incidents and technical issues
• Executing changes, migrations, and network projects
• Further developing the organisation’s own ISP platform and related services
• Identifying technical improvements and implementing them with the team
• Automating management and operational processes where it adds value
• Advising customers on their network environments and potential improvements
• Acting as a technical sparring partner for both customers and colleagues

This is not a role where you will spend all your time behind a screen. For certain projects or more complex issues, you will also visit customers. Therefore, it is important to combine technical expertise with clear communication and professional customer interaction.

What makes this role different?

The unique part of this position is that you are not simply taking responsibility for an existing environment; you will contribute to an in-house network product developed and operated by our client. This gives you real influence over how network services are designed, standardised, and automated. At the same time, this remains a practical engineering role where incidents must be resolved, changes executed properly, and customers supported reliably.

The role combines:

• Hands-on network management
• Troubleshooting
• Projects and migrations
• Customer interaction and technical advisory
• Platform development
• Automation and standardisation

Stand-by duty

The network team operates a stand-by rota, requiring your participation approximately once every six weeks. You will receive roughly €250 per stand-by period, plus compensation for any hours actually worked when called upon. Because the environments are designed for high stability, escalations outside regular working hours are relatively uncommon.

Your profile

We are looking for a Network Engineer who is technically capable, takes ownership, and enjoys solving and improving network-related challenges.

You bring:

• Approximately 3+ years of relevant professional experience as a Network Engineer, Network Specialist, or comparable position
• HBO-level working and thinking ability
• Practical experience with network management and troubleshooting
• Strong knowledge of Fortinet, particularly FortiGate
• Experience with Fortinet ecosystem components such as FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, FortiAuthenticator, and/or FortiEMS
• Strong knowledge of HPE Aruba, including CX Switching and/or Wireless
• The ability to systematically analyse and resolve network incidents
• A good command of the Dutch language, or fluency in Afrikaans
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work professionally with customers

Knowledge of Python, Ansible, and API integrations is a strong advantage, but not a strict requirement. You do not need to be an automation engineer or developer, but we expect an interest in automation and an understanding of why standardisation matters in modern network environments.

Who is a good fit?

This role suits a Network Engineer who has built a solid technical foundation and is ready for an environment offering more than traditional network management. You enjoy investigating technical issues independently while knowing when to involve colleagues or customers. You are curious, take ownership, and actively think about structural improvements.

From a personal perspective, we are looking for someone who:

• Brings energy and curiosity
• Has a hands-on and practical mindset
• Is willing to take responsibility
• Thinks critically and contributes ideas for improvement
• Works well within a small technical team
• Is comfortable interacting with customers
• Wants to continue learning and developing technically

Who is less suited to this role?

This position is less suitable for someone who wants to work exclusively within one technical silo or has little interest in customer interaction. A profile built almost entirely around Cisco, without relevant practical experience in Fortinet and/or HPE Aruba, is also less aligned with the current technical landscape.

When will you be successful?

You will succeed in this position when you take independent responsibility for customer environments and the network platform, meaning:

• Incidents are analysed and resolved quickly and carefully
• Changes and migrations are executed in a controlled manner
• Customers trust your technical advice
• You proactively identify opportunities for improvement
• You contribute to further standardisation and automation
• You continue building your knowledge of the ISP platform and its underlying services
• You become a reliable technical sparring partner within the network team

Recruitment process

The recruitment process consists of the following stages:

• Interview with Klipspringer
• First interview with our client’s recruiter
• Assessment focused on logical reasoning, analytical ability, and cognitive fit
• Final interview with the manager of the platform team

What our client offers

• A salary between €4,500 and €5,500 gross per month, depending on experience
• An annual bonus based on company and individual performance
• 26 days of annual leave
• Pension scheme with a 2.6% employee contribution and holiday allowance
• Monthly net expense allowance of up to €75
• Lease car or mobility allowance
• Option to lease a bicycle
• Company laptop and phone
• Hybrid working options from the offices in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and home
• Extensive opportunities for training, professional development, and certifications
• A comprehensive vitality programme
• An enthusiastic and multidisciplinary team
• A modern and informal working environment where knowledge sharing is encouraged

An assessment forms part of the selection process.