Erik Szczechura Network Engineer | Networking | UK
Life of a Network Engineer in UK
As a network engineer from UK - Portsmouth , I specialise in:
Diagnosing and fixing routing and switching faults
Preventive maintenance of networking equipment
Minimising downtime and improving system reliability
Supporting production teams during critical issues
Working under pressure in 24/7 operational environments
My role is all about keeping routers and switches running safely and efficiently — and solving problems when they don’t.
What You’ll Find on This Site
This site is built to share useful and practical engineering content, including:
Maintenance checklists
Fault-finding guides
Real-world engineering tips
Common equipment issues and fixes
Insights from working as a shift engineer
Everything here is based on real experience, not theory.
Practical Engineering Knowledge
Preventive Maintenance
Learn how to avoid breakdowns before they happen with structured maintenance routines and inspections.
Fault Diagnosis
Step-by-step approaches to identifying and fixing common industrial issues quickly and effectively.
Reducing Downtime
Tips on improving equipment reliability and keeping production running smoothly.
Why This Site Exists
Engineering knowledge is often learned on the job — not from textbooks.
I created this site to:
Share practical experience with others in the field
Help engineers troubleshoot issues faster
Provide simple, clear guidance for real situations
Document lessons learned from working in industry
About Me
I’m a Network Engineer based in the UK, working in a demanding industrial environment where quick thinking and problem-solving are essential.
My experience includes:
Juniper routers , switches and firewalls
Cisco routers and switches
Maintenance planning
Production support
This site reflects my day-to-day work and what I’ve learned along the way.
I am a dedicated Network Engineer based in the UK, specialising in the maintenance, troubleshooting, and support of advanced technical infrastructures. My professional journey is defined by a commitment to operational excellence, where precision and rapid problem-solving are essential for maintaining critical network reliability.Over the years, I have cultivated extensive hands-on expertise with industry-leading technologies from vendors like Cisco and Juniper. My experience spans robust routing and switching configurations, network performance tuning, and the deployment of SD-WAN solutions. I am fascinated by the evolution of cloud-integrated networks and continuously strive to design systems that are as scalable and flexible as they are secure.Relocating to the UK provided a unique set of professional challenges, most notably mastering technical engineering within a second language. Navigating complex documentation, specialised terminology, and high-pressure real-time communication in English required significant resilience. This experience taught me that engineering is as much about clear, accurate communication as it is about technical proficiency.What began as a hurdle eventually became a core professional strength. This transition honed my adaptability and boosted my confidence in navigating diverse, international work environments. Today, I pride myself on bridging the gap between sophisticated technical execution and effective team collaboration.My focus remains on system reliability and continuous improvement. I am passionate about engineering solutions that proactively reduce downtime and streamline operational throughput. Whether managing critical incidents or performing preventative maintenance, I apply a disciplined, methodical approach to every project.Beyond my technical role, I am interested in the human element of engineering abroad. You can read more about my personal transition and professional philosophy in my article: From Poland to the UK: The Real Challenges Facing Engineers Like Erik SzczechuraThis unique perspective informs every decision I make as I continue to grow within the British engineering sector. http://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-szczechura
https://about.me/erik_szczechura
Erik Szczechura Network Engineer | UK Portsmouth Based
Skills & Expertise
1
Network Operations & Delivery
I work comfortably within complex enterprise network environments, supporting multi-site connectivity and resolving issues efficiently under pressure. I take a structured, detail-driven approach to ensure stability, performance, and minimal disruption.
2
Certifications
I hold the JNCIP certification, reflecting advanced expertise in Juniper routing, switching, and enterprise network design. This certification underpins my ability to troubleshoot deeply and operate within complex, high-availability networks.
3
General Networking & Security
I have strong networking fundamentals across Cisco and Juniper platforms, covering routing, switching, and enterprise connectivity. I also have practical experience with firewalls, focusing on secure network design, traffic control, and policy management.
4
Silver Peak / SD‑WAN
I have hands-on experience designing, deploying, and supporting Silver Peak SD‑WAN solutions in live environments. My focus is on improving WAN performance, resilience, and application reliability across distributed networks.
Professional Experience
2020 — Present
Neos Networks
NOC Engineer
Responsible for monitoring network infrastructure and proactively responding to alarms to ensure high service availability. Execute hardware replacements (RMA), implement configuration updates and network changes, and manage incident tickets, resolving faults efficiently while maintaining accurate documentation.
2015— 2020
Axians Ltd
Senior Network Engineer
Managed complex hybrid cloud environments, ensuring seamless connectivity between on-premises data centers and cloud service providers. Focused on network security and performance monitoring.
Engineering Resilience into Infrastructure.