Network Solutions Architect
Network Solutions Architect (Mobile Core & Multi-Domain Networks)
Location: Hybrid (Reading, Berkshire)
Rate: £525 per day Outside IR35
Contract: 3-month rolling contract – long term contract
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Network Solutions Architect to join a strategic Network Business Engagement and End-to-End Solutions team. This role sits at the intersection of business strategy, network architecture, and technical delivery, supporting the development and evolution of mobile and fixed network services.
The successful candidate will be responsible for taking new ideas, business opportunities, and project concepts from inception through requirements definition, solution architecture, design governance, and delivery. This is not a pure technical design role; the position requires someone who can assess business needs, align solutions with network strategy, engage stakeholders, and drive end-to-end solution development across multiple network domains.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end solution design activities for strategic network initiatives across mobile and fixed network domains.
- Assess new business opportunities, project briefs, and technology proposals where architecture may not yet be defined.
- Translate business objectives into clear technical and functional requirements.
- Produce and govern architecture deliverables including solution designs, HLDs, design principles, and technical recommendations.
- Ensure solutions align with long-term network strategy, architecture standards, and operational objectives.
- Act as the design authority throughout the project lifecycle, providing technical leadership and governance.
- Work closely with engineering, operations, product, commercial, and delivery teams to ensure successful implementation.
- Engage with vendors and suppliers to evaluate technologies, capabilities, and solution options.
- Support architecture review boards, design forums, and stakeholder governance processes.
- Contribute to technology roadmaps covering mobile, fixed, and enterprise connectivity services.
Essential Experience
- Proven experience as a Solution Architect, Network Architect, Design Authority, or Lead Solution Designer within a telecommunications environment.
- Strong mobile network architecture background with deep expertise in at least one core network domain:
- 5G Core (5GC)
- EPC / Packet Core
- IMS
- VoLTE / VoWiFi
- Voice Core
- HSS / HLR
- Messaging Platforms
- Demonstrable experience across at least two network domains, for example:
- Packet Core and IMS
- Voice Core and Packet Core
- IMS and HSS
- Core Network and RAN
- Core Network and OSS
- Core Network and Enterprise Connectivity
- Experience owning and producing:
- High-Level Designs (HLD)
- Solution Architecture documents
- Technical requirements
- Design governance artefacts
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills with experience working across business, technical, operational, and supplier organisations.
Highly Desirable
- RAN architecture or mobile access network design experience.
- 5G Standalone (SA) network architecture experience.
- Open RAN, Cloud RAN, or virtualised network architecture exposure.
- Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions.
- SD-WAN and enterprise connectivity solutions.
- Corporate network access products.
- OSS architecture and service assurance solutions.
- Experience within major UK or European telecom operators.
Technical Areas of Interest
- 5G Core / EPC
- IMS / VoLTE / VoWiFi
- HSS / UDM / PCRF / PCF
- Messaging Platforms
- RAN / Open RAN
- OSS
- SD-WAN
- FWA
- Enterprise Connectivity
- Cloud-native network functions
- Network Automation
- Network Strategy and Transformation