Network Architect

Network Architect Specialist

Length: 6 months

Location: Exeter 5 days per week

Rate: £750 per day via umbrella

***CANDIDATE MUST HAVE ACTIVE NPPV3 FOR THEIR APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED***

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to lead the architectural definition and technical direction for a specific network technology domain. The role holder will own and deliver end-to-end technical solutions across domains, working autonomously while ensuring alignment with wider network architecture, products, and services. This position plays a critical role in shaping technology strategy, influencing roadmap decisions, and driving the evolution of network capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Own, design, and deliver technical solutions for a defined technology domain, cross-domain area, or portfolio of work, operating with a high degree of autonomy.
• Lead the architectural definition and technical direction for a specific technology area, ensuring alignment with enterprise and network-wide standards.
• Integrate and implement end-to-end solutions across customers and business areas.
• Execute and maintain the technical roadmap for the assigned domain, driving strategic direction and long-term planning.
• Build and evaluate proposals for the introduction of new network technologies, assessing benefits, risks, and alignment to existing architectures.
• Proactively contribute to technology and product evolution by identifying how emerging technologies can enhance network architecture, products, and services.
• Provide design assurance and technical governance prior to integration into end-to-end solutions.
• Make informed recommendations on development and investment budgets for future financial years by understanding and articulating technology evolution and lifecycle impacts.
• Act as a technical authority and trusted advisor for stakeholders across engineering, delivery, and product teams.
• Ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, secure, and operate in line with architectural best practices.

Key Skills & Technical Expertise
Core Networking

• Routing and Switching
• OSPF and BGP
• VLAN, VXLAN, VRF

Cisco Technologies

• Cisco ISR
• Cisco Catalyst platforms (C9200, C9300, C9500)
• Cisco ASR1001
• Cisco Nexus 7000 & 9000 series
• Cisco NX-OS

Data Centre & Connectivity

• Data Centre Architecture and Design
• Cisco Nexus and VXLAN-based fabrics
• IPConnect
• F5 Technologies (load balancing and application delivery)

Experience & Competencies

• Significant experience designing and delivering complex network architectures in large-scale or enterprise environments.
• Proven ability to operate as a technical lead, owning solutions end to end.
• Strong understanding of technology lifecycles and the impact of new technologies on existing architectures.
• Experience producing technical roadmaps and contributing to investment and budget planning.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

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