Network Architect

Job Description

Network Architect Specialist

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Length: 6 months

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Location: Exeter 5 days per week

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Rate: £750 per day via umbrella

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

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\n\n\nRole Purpose\n

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.

\nKey Responsibilities\n

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• 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.

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• Lead the architectural definition and technical direction for a specific technology area, ensuring alignment with enterprise and network-wide standards.

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• Integrate and implement end-to-end solutions across customers and business areas.

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• Execute and maintain the technical roadmap for the assigned domain, driving strategic direction and long-term planning.

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• Build and evaluate proposals for the introduction of new network technologies, assessing benefits, risks, and alignment to existing architectures.

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• Proactively contribute to technology and product evolution by identifying how emerging technologies can enhance network architecture, products, and services.

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• Provide design assurance and technical governance prior to integration into end-to-end solutions.

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• Make informed recommendations on development and investment budgets for future financial years by understanding and articulating technology evolution and lifecycle impacts.

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• Act as a technical authority and trusted advisor for stakeholders across engineering, delivery, and product teams.

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• Ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, secure, and operate in line with architectural best practices.

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\nKey Skills & Technical Expertise\nCore Networking\n

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• Routing and Switching

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• OSPF and BGP

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• VLAN, VXLAN, VRF

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\nCisco Technologies\n

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• Cisco ISR

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• Cisco Catalyst platforms (C9200, C9300, C9500)

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• Cisco ASR1001

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• Cisco Nexus 7000 & 9000 series

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• Cisco NX-OS

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\nData Centre & Connectivity\n

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• Data Centre Architecture and Design

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• Cisco Nexus and VXLAN-based fabrics

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• IPConnect

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• F5 Technologies (load balancing and application delivery)

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\nExperience & Competencies\n

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• Significant experience designing and delivering complex network architectures in large-scale or enterprise environments.

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• Proven ability to operate as a technical lead, owning solutions end to end.

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• Strong understanding of technology lifecycles and the impact of new technologies on existing architectures.

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• Experience producing technical roadmaps and contributing to investment and budget planning.

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• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts.

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• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.\n

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