Network & Security Engineer - Aldar Education

Job DescriptionAldar Education is currently seeking a Network & Security Engineer for an immediate start in Abu Dhabi to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, with more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities to deliver world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through to K12.At Aldar Education, our impact goes far beyond the classroom: we are proud to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education. With this in mind, we hire educators and industry professionals who not only embody our values and cultural ethos but also bring a genuine passion for education—qualities central to our mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.If you are passionate about excellence and ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply and be part of our journey.Responsible for the day-to-day operation and support of Aldar Education HQ & Schools’ Network infrastructure, IT network security, and IP Telephony infrastructure. Part of a new site integration team, assessing, re-designing, re-deploying, and maintaining new remote business sites and adding them to corporate network infrastructure.ResponsibilitiesMain DutiesProvide required support to other IT functions and End-User Support concerning network problems, including possible onsite technical support for escalated issues.Troubleshoot network-related issues and adhere to SLAs and OLAs related to network & security services.Ensure all assets are patched and updated to minimize security breaches and security and system patches, upgrades & changes are applied as required.Perform and configure network switches, routers, network standards & protocols.Prepare routine reports to highlight IT security issues/concerns/criticalities.Continuously assess, test, improve, and document 24x7 monitoring infrastructure, including alarming, logs, and event management.Implementing and enforcing network security measures set by Manager – Network and Security.Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve technical issues related to Network & security hardware and software.Perform the day-to-day operation of Aldar Education’s wired network, wireless network, IT network Security and IP Telephony infrastructure.Rectify & respond to SOAR alerts and ensure a safe & secure IT environment.Assess the infrastructure of new business and school buildings, perform gap analysis, & evaluation, and work on putting IT Infrastructure tech-refresh and deployment plans to bring them up to AE’s standard.Work as part of a team to implement the IT infra in the new business sites and perform all needed configurations to join the site with the enterprise infrastructure.Specific DutiesAdd and modify network connections and hardware.Configure firewalls as per AE standards & policies and business requirements.Troubleshoot network and equipment, including the telephony and security network.Maintain and monitor the enterprise network infrastructure.Provide network utilization, capacity, and performance reports.Maintain network standardization and network equipment specification documents.Asset tag network assets (i.e. network hardware and software, monitoring tools) and maintain an updated inventory.Coordinate security issues with IT Managers and other IT functions.Provide incident response support and resolution.Ensure all network-related tickets are assigned, resolved, or escalated following AE’s ITSM standards.Directly reporting to Manager – Network and Security Infrastructure.Prepare SOWs, BOQs, and other IT procurement-related documents.Assist Manager Network & Security in the technical assessment of procured and existing technologies.Install, configure, and modify VPN clients and MFA protocols.Coordinate with external vendors and manufacturers for support cases, monthly & quarterly activities, and reviews.QualificationsMinimum QualificationsBachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communication or Computer Engineering.Network Certification: Professional level certification on enterprise Routing & Switching such as CCNP or equivalent (HCIP, JNCIP ACIP, etc.).Palo-Alto Network certification PCNSE and/or Fortinet NSE4 or above.Cisco Voice over IP certification (CCNP Collaboration certification preferred).Aruba ClearPass certification (preferred).Minimum Experience5 Years of experience in IT networking & security.Job‑Specific Knowledge & SkillsKnowledge of Netw