About me

Hey, I’m Liam Mainwaring, a Network Engineer with a very broad range of IT and general technology skills. However, my current main focus is in the design, implementation, and operation of the fastest-growing ISP network in South Wales. I work across the full stack of modern service-provider infrastructure, from core routing and optical transport to PON access, automation, network management, and server systems.

My engineering background is broad, but my core strengths include:

• IP Networking
  Designing, implementing, operating and optimising high-availability routing environments using Nokia SR OS, Juniper MX platforms, Fortinet Firewall, and large-scale OSPF/BGP deployments. Working in a 24/7 network operations environment, I've had my fair share of 3am callouts when BGP or DNS has caused an issue. Ask me about that time Zayo blackholed a whole /22.

• Optical Transport & DWDM
  Deploying Nokia 1830 PSS-8 systems, ROADMs, and optical line systems (OPSA), including long-haul DWDM links, power balancing, and full documentation for operational handover.

• PON & Altiplano
  Operating, maintaining and automating broadband PON networks using Nokia Altiplano, 7360 ISAM and passive fibre infrastructure. I have been the top-level escalation for all things Nokia PON in my current role for the last 2 years. Issues on PON? I'm your man.

• Automation & Tooling
  Building scripts, ZTP workflows, network inventory integrations, Kafka consumers, and Python-driven operational tooling to reduce manual effort and improve reliability. Ask me more — I would be happy to have a chat about NetBox and Grafana.

• Systems, Servers & Infrastructure
  Linux (Red Hat, Ubuntu, FreeBSD), virtualisation platforms (KVM, ESXi, Proxmox), containerised solutions (Docker, Kubernetes), network services (DNS/NTP), and automation to support production environments. I've dabbled in quite a lot and have experience with real-world DNS, DHCP, NTP, etc. for service provider production environments.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked on a wide range of projects, including greenfield backbone deployments, operational improvements, tool development, and end-to-end service builds. For me, understanding not just the protocol, device, or tool in isolation, but how the entire system behaves as a whole is SO important.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me riding motorbikes, working on cars, playing story-driven games, or experimenting with home lab projects on my server rack. I love learning, building, and engineering, whether it’s fibre optics, Python scripts, infrastructure design or even some DIY on the weekends.

If you’re looking for someone who is all about technology and can deliver results or a Network Engineer who’s just as comfortable deep in the CLI as they are designing architecture or automating workflows, feel free to reach out.

Experience

Senior Network Engineer

Ogi Fibre Ltd.

April 2025 — Present

• Worked closely with vendors (Nokia, Juniper, optical suppliers, system integrators) to validate designs, resolve defects, and optimise platforms.

• Owned high-priority escalations and major incidents, ensuring rapid service restoration and clear communication across teams.

• Provided technical leadership and mentorship to engineering and NOC teams, guiding troubleshooting approaches, designs, and best practices

• Led the design and delivery of large-scale ISP network projects, including core routing deployments, optical transport builds, and PON expansions.

• Produced high-quality documentation including HLD/LLDs, migration plans, test plans, DWDM optical budgets, and operational guides

Network Engineer

Ogi Fibre Ltd.

December 2022 — April 2025

• Worked on PON access networks, including OLT provisioning, subscriber management, and Altiplano platform integration.

• Deployed and operated Nokia SR OS and Juniper platforms, handling day-to-day configuration, troubleshooting, and optimisation.

• Acted as an escalation point for complex network issues affecting residential, business, and backbone services.

• Configured and maintained routing protocols, including OSPF, BGP, IS-IS and policy based routing.

• Documented network changes, design decisions, and operational procedures to improve transparency and team efficiency.

Field Network Engineer

Ogi Fibre Ltd.

January 2022 — December 2022

• Performed on-site installation, commissioning, and maintenance of network infrastructure, including routers, switches, OLTs, and optical equipment.

• Conducted fibre optic work such as splicing, OTDR testing and fault localisation on PON network.

• Performed detailed site surveys for new installations, capacity upgrades, and infrastructure builds

• Carried out planned engineering works, upgrades, and network migrations with strict adherence to change management processes.

IT System Administrator

LBS Builders Merchants

January 2021 — December 2021

• To act as a single point of contact for phone calls and emails from staff regarding IT issues and queries
• Planning and implementing upgrades, maintaining hardware and software systems & ensure the smooth running of the company’s systems
• On-boarding & off-boarding staff in regards to Office 365 administration, active directory administration and retrieving/ordering devices.
• Manage 400+ devices across the business including PC’s, mobiles phones, VOIP phones and server devices.
• Troubleshoot a variety of software, hardware and networking issues in branch and on HQ site.

Assistant Store Manager

The Entertainer

December 2015 — January 2021

• Provide management cover for stores in the south of England and Wales, including Bristol and Cardiff Page
• Plan and organise commercial space in preparation for promotional events
• Ensure smooth running of EPOS systems and IT equipment, including staff tablets and printers etc.
• Manage day to day running of the store eg. preparing day rotas and banking large amounts of cash
• Problem-solving customer issues e.g missing orders, faulty products, and incidents in store
• Responsible for a team of eight health and safety.
• Training new members of staff in-store as well as training new management for new stores
• Conducting telephone interviews and group interviews for new staff.
• Basic day-to-day tasks such as replenishing stock levels, merchandising and making commercial decisions

Location

Based in Wales, I’ve spent the last five years building and supporting the largest Altnet in Wales.

Address

South West Wales, United Kingdom

Hours

24/7 - Network Engineers dont sleep

Contact Me

Reach out to discuss projects, roles, or just to say hello.