Principal Network Architect

• Operate as a trusted advisor for key clients and prospective customers.
• Engage with stakeholders from C-level executives to technical engineering teams, translating complex technical and business requirements into high-level and detailed technical architectures.
• Provide expert consultancy on network strategy, transformation roadmaps, best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Build strong, long-term relationships that support account growth and customer satisfaction.
• Act as the Design Authority across major programmes, owning the end-to-end technical vision from inception through transition to operations.
• Architect network solutions across environments of varying scale, covering LAN/WAN, Wireless, routing, switching, SDN, and security technologies.
• Ensure all designs are scalable, resilient, secure, and aligned to customer requirements, technical strategy, and industry best practices.
• Lead creation of high-quality architectural documentation, including HLA, HLD, LLD, standards, and design patterns.
• Ensure designs align with industry best practices, compliance requirements, and customer governance processes.
• Partner with the Sales team during pre-sales engagements to define solutions, scope opportunities, and support commercial proposition development.
• Lead technical responses for Tenders, IITs, and RFPs, including architecture design, technical writing, risk identification, and pricing model support.
• Present proposed solutions to senior client stakeholders with clarity, confidence, and technical authority.
• Work alongside multi-disciplinary delivery teams, providing leadership, technical guidance, and assurance during implementation phases.
• Support project managers and engineering teams to ensure solutions are delivered in line with architectural intent and to the highest quality.
• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing, capability development, and practice maturity across the organisation.
• Contribute to the identification, design, and development of innovative internal products, frameworks, and service offerings that enhance our strategic advantage, improve delivery efficiency, and support growth across key market sectors.

Technologies:

• AWS
• Ansible
• Architect
• Azure
• Cloud
• Cisco
• GCP
• Support
• ITIL
• LAN
• Network
• Python
• Security
• Terraform
• Business Intelligence
• Marketing

• Proven experience designing and delivering large-scale network and security solutions across enterprise or service provider environments.
• Deep understanding of network architecture principles, high availability design, routing protocols, segmentation, security architectures, and cloud networking.
• Experience acting as the final technical authority or Design Authority on complex engagements.
• Strong background in pre-sales, tender responses, and solution shaping.
• Ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce well-structured technical documentation and deliver impactful presentations.
• Ability to engage with business stakeholders and end-users to diagnose issues, propose solutions, and provide strategic recommendations.
• Comfortable representing our organisation independently, with a focus on delivering outstanding customer experiences.
• A demonstrably collaborative approach when working with sales, engineering, and delivery functions.
• Self-sufficient, proactive, and comfortable working in high-pressure environments.
• Experience working within Agile / Scrum, Waterfall, and hybrid project delivery methodologies.
• Strong commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead of industry advancements.
• CCNP / CCIE, JNCIP / JNCIE, or equivalent expert-level certifications are advantageous.
• Security vendor certifications from platforms such as Fortinet (NSE), Palo Alto (PCNSE/PCNSA), Cisco Security (CCNP Security/CCIE Security), and Check Point (CCSA/CCSE) are advantageous.
• Cloud certifications (AWS/Azure/GCP/OCI) are advantageous.
• Strong understanding of structured delivery and operational frameworks (ITIL, PRINCE2, AgilePM, or similar project/service management certifications) is advantageous.
• Experience with automation tools (Python, Ansible, Terraform, etc.) is advantageous.

From our headquarters in London, we empower organisations to make bold, strategic moves with the power of data and technology. Founded in 1975, our operations take place from multiple offices across the UK, Europe and India with over 1600 full-time employees and an annual turnover of £179m. Our expertise spans industries from retail and education to public sector and transport, delivering intelligent solutions that drive progress and create measurable impact. Our Network Services team is a rapidly expanding specialist IT and Networks consultancy, offering opportunities to work within challenging and exciting environments with major clients in Global Media, Banking, Government, Telecoms and Utilities. We build for tomorrows world while fostering a culture that allows employees to be their authentic selves and succeed in their careers.