Senior Network Architect

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Under Water Systems (UWS)

Our purpose is to be the leading provider of underwater sensors and decision superiority, helping navies across the world keep our friends, families and all of us safe. We cover four sectors: Mine Counter Measures, Anti-Submarine warfare, Services and Future Capabilities.

The Senior Network Communications Architect is responsible for designing, delivering, and maintaining secure, resilient network communication solutions across Thales projects and products.

This role ensures end-to-end ownership of the network communications lifecycle, from requirements gathering to formal testing, while driving innovation, cost efficiency, and alignment with Thales’ strategic goals.

Key focus areas include:

• Technical Leadership: Serving as the recognised “go-to” expert in network communications and security, both internally and externally.
• Bid and Project Support: Developing detailed, costed, and achievable estimates for bids, ensuring solutions meet budgetary and technical constraints.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Acting as the direct customer and supplier interface, presenting designs at review gates, and resolving critical network issues that threaten project delivery.
• Knowledge Sharing: Driving best practices, common approaches, and continuous improvement within the UWS UK Network team, including recruitment, training, and tooling specifications.

Key Responsibilities:

Network Solution Delivery:

• Design and implementsecure and resilient network communication systemsusingIP/Ethernet, RF radio/satellite, and underwater acoustic bearers.
• Develophigh-level and low-level designs, ensuring compliance with project requirements and security standards.
• Conductformal testingto validate network performance, security, and resilience.

Bid and Estimation Support:

• Producedetailed documented estimatesfor bids, ensuring they aretechnically feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with budget constraints.
• Collaborate withengineering teams, procurement, and suppliersto create innovative bid solutions, even when requirements or materials are incomplete.

Customer and Supplier Interface:

• Serve as theprimary technical contactfor customers, presenting designs atreview gatesand agreeing on interface boundaries.
• Work withnetwork and communication equipment suppliersto select appropriate hardware, troubleshoot issues, and ensure timely resolutions.
• Provideintegration and testing supportto ensure seamless project execution.

Critical Problem Solving:

• Take ownership ofcritical network/communication problemsthat threaten project timelines or budgets.
• Driveroot-cause analysisand implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Technical Leadership (UWS UK Network Capabilities):

• Ensurecommon approaches, knowledge sharing, and best practicesare adopted across the networking team.
• Conductrecruitment, selection, and interviewsfor networking roles.
• Specifytooling and workplace facility needsto support team productivity.
• Identify and supportindividual training and developmentto close skill gaps.

Security and Compliance:

• Secure networks againstinternal and external attacks, ensuring they passPEN test evaluations.
• AuthorSecurity Operating Procedures (SyOps)tailored to the required security level.
• Ensure compliance withCE/UKCA marking, EMC, and other regulatory standards.

Cloud and Infrastructure Design:

• Design and deliverprivate cloud systemswith demandingCPU/GPU processing, network, power, racking, and storage requirements.

Key Skills / Experience

Network Design & Security

• IP/Ethernet, RF/satellite, underwater acoustic communication bearers.
• Network security (PEN testing, SyOps authoring).
• VPN and military crypto device configuration.

Cloud and Virtualization

• VMware vSphere/ESXi network and security management.
• Private cloud architecture (CPU/GPU, storage, power).

Protocols and Tools

• IP multicast, Wireshark, tcpdump.
• Linux networking stack, network monitoring systems.
• Bash, TCL, PowerShell scripting.
• Software development (C/C++/Rust/Java/Ada).

UK Eyes Only:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!

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