Network Design Architect (London)

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Telecoms Network Design Architect

Location: Hybrid working London or Reading | Type: Contract (6 months initially) | Rate : £600 per day Outside

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced Telecoms Network Infrastructure Architect with deep expertise in, Telecoms infrastructure, data centre networking , and cloud- technologies . The successful candidate will design, implement, and support complex, scalable, and secure telecoms infrastructure solutions across data centre and cloud environments, with a strong focus on automation, virtualisation, and software-defined networking.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement data centre fabric architectures (Clos, VXLAN, EVPN, multi-domain routing, DCI, anycast, micro-segmentation).
• Develop and support SDN solutions including distributed switching, routing, and security policy enforcement.
• Architect network solutions for VNF and CNF applications , considering performance, scalability, and resilience.
• Support container-based environments with Kubernetes , including CNI plugins, ingress/egress, and network policies.
• Design and maintain services in virtualised and cloud- platforms (OpenStack, OpenShift, WindRiver).
• Drive infrastructure automation using Ansible, Terraform, Python , and Infrastructure-as-Code practices.
• Ensure end-to-end service provider core and data centre network design , including expert-level BGP , inter-AS, and policy/routing configurations.
• Apply Linux expertise across PaaS, IaaS, SaaS, and CaaS environments.
• Work with supporting services such as DNS, ADC, AAA, firewalls, SIEM, protocol inspection , and network visibility tools.
• Align architecture with 3GPP mobile standards (Rel. 15+), IMS, RAN , and CUPS/WWC models.
• Contribute to security and compliance requirements, including alignment with the Telecom Security Act .
• Liaise with vendors and standards bodies; contribute to white papers and industry groups (desirable).

#Required Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience designing and managing data centre and telecom networks at scale.
• Network and security requirements and approaches for:
• 3GPP mobile architectures, particularly 3GPP Release 15 and onwards.
• IMS
• RAN architectures (eg C-RAN functional split models)
• Expert-level knowledge of routing protocols (BGP) , network resilience, and service provider architectures .
• Strong experience in Kubernetes , Linux networking , and container networking interfaces (CNIs).
• Hands-on skills in SDN overlays (VXLAN/Geneve) , network virtualisation, and service chaining.
• Familiarity with eBPF , telemetry , firewalling , and protocol-aware services (eg, ALGs).
• Strong Scripting and automation skills: Python, Terraform, Ansible .

Desirable but not essential

• Experience with Cisco/Arista platforms , CloudVision , NDFC , NDO (desirable).
• Familiarity with intent-based networking concepts (desirable).
• Experience in RedHat OpenStack/OpenShift and WindRiver environments (desirable).

Certifications ():

• CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent expert-level routing certifications.
• SDN certifications (eg, ONF).
• Security certifications (eg, CISSP, ISC2).
• Relevant telecom/vendor-specific certifications .

Ideal Candidate Profile:

You are a strategic thinker with hands-on technical depth across networking, cloud, and telecom domains. You have extensive experience in designing secure, resilient infrastructure, and thrive in high-complexity environments where automation, performance, and innovation are critical.