Senior Network Architect

The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers.

Technology is continuing to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, every decision, and every solution.

As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partner with modern and transformative technology. From the day-to-day IT operations that keeps a national railway running, to the extensive delivery programmes that our helping to reshape the railway - we are at the forefront of all of it. We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool - it’s the catalyst for progress, especially in an ever-demanding industry where change is a constant.

Get ready to embark on a journey where your skills will not just be utilised; they’ll be honed and expanded. You’re not just joining a team; you’re becoming part of a collective force helping to build and operate a railway fit for the next 200 years!

This role will provide architectural leadership and technical assurance for the specification, design, build and deployment into the production platform of telecoms Corporate Services, which could straddle and connect various telecoms areas - Corporate (Office/ locations - LAN, WAN and Wi-Fi), Voice, Data Centre, Stations, etc.

This platform and service connects all of our staff, to systems and services to allow them to deliver their work.

As example for Corporate (CORP), this could include all connection technologies such as Wi-Fi, LAN, WAN within a location, working on how they are connected from end devices (laptops, phones, tablets, printers, screens, meeting rooms, etc.) to central platform interfaces (Data Centres, Cloud, etc. for Applications and Services).

What does the average day look like?

The role will lead as a technical design authority, consultancy, and assurance on associated technologies for Telecoms Operations. It will develop the technical service strategy for the associated Corporate Services to support Telecoms Operations’ business strategy.

The role will lead and champion new technology, new services, service delivery and projects, ensuring that the current services and operation levels are maintained, then improved where possible.

The role will drive forward innovation and a whole life cycle approach that considers and addresses business improvement, integration issues and verify the ongoing availability of all architecture components - through the development and management of technology, product, and platform road maps for Corporate Services.

• Identify, innovate, and help drive Telecoms Operation’s technical roadmap for the Corporate (CORP) Services platform, to facilitate the provision of in-life “fit-for-purpose” technologies to support Telecoms Operations Services.
• Support the Telecoms Operations New Technology Introduction (NTI) process by acting as the Lead Reviewer for new or changes to existing controlled telecoms products / technologies that require Network Rail Product Acceptance under the terms of NR Standard NR/L2/RSE/100.
• Provide and maintain the design principles & architecture guidance for the Corporate Services platform and service offerings.
• Support the development of new Corporate Services as required by the business by approving the new service design and assuring that the service design conforms with the architecture principles.
• Maintain the overall Platform Architecture for the Corporate Service platform/s and recommend improvements and additions to better the performance and resilience of the platforms.
• Provide technical architecture consultancy to Telecoms Operations design, projects, solution consultants and customers as required.
• Identify and progress opportunities for the implementation of technical improvements that add value to the business through achievement of ‘Simpler, Better, Greener’ developed infrastructure, based on current and future requirements.
• Work in conjunction with suppliers to understand the lifecycle of existing and new technologies (products and services) and the impact of obsolete technologies, to support a technical roadmap that conforms to the requirements specified in the Telecoms Asset Policy.
• To keep up to date with future product vision and translate desired capabilities/modifications to the platform technology stack, and to help lead strategy and innovation.

• Substantial experience in Corporate/ Network Services engineering and operations within a Telecoms environment - including LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi/ Wireless, IP, MPLS, ACI, SD-WAN, SD-Access, BGP, Cloud (public/ private), Internet, DNS, DHCP, Security, Mobile, QoS, etc.
• Architect technical knowledge level of Corporate Service platforms, as well as an awareness of protection security architectures and any associated platforms that either support or utilise these services.
• Significant experience in infrastructure design.
• Delivery of complex networks & services.
• Educated to degree standard or equivalent in a technical subject - including experience.

Desirable

• Knowledge of network design and operation supporting Rail or Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
• Knowledge of Corporate management systems, monitoring systems and planning tools.
• Formal network technical certifications - CCNA, CCNP, SD-A/ SD-WAN, ACI, etc.
• Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2).
• TOGAF, ITIL or eTOM certifications
• Experience with Identity Services Engine (ISE), Wireless Controllers (WLC), Digital Network Architecture Centre (DNAC)

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Company pension
• Paid volunteer time, * We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
• Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
• Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
• Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact

Plus more….