Senior Network Architect

Overview

In this role you will assess and enhance enterprise network architecture within a secure defence environment. You will combine detailed technical analysis with clear design documentation to support resilient, active/active connectivity between two data centres. You’ll work with the Defence programme’s Architecture and Network teams to deliver prioritized roadmaps and robust recovery capabilities. This position offers impactful work on critical infrastructure within government-facing projects and a path to influence secure, scalable networks.

Pay / Benefits

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills
• LinkedIn Learning access
• Wellness and employee assistance
• 25 days holiday
• Private medical insurance
• Discretionary company bonus

Responsibilities

• Review live network implementations across two data centres and compare with documented designs
• Create current-state High Level Designs and Low Level Designs with topology diagrams and dependencies
• Evaluate Cisco ACI, routing, firewall and load-balancing configurations with relevant teams
• Produce a Network Review and Recommendation Report with practical, low-risk improvements
• Explore Cisco ACI application-centric capabilities (segmentation, contracts, policy design)
• Present a prioritized improvements roadmap with sequencing and dependencies
• Develop a Network Disaster Recovery Capability Report for active/active connectivity
• Explain connectivity limitations, risks, and any extra hardware/software/licensing needs
• Lead technical reviews, address design comments, and secure sign-off of designs
• Maintain controlled documentation and support evidence, contribute to risk/issue reports
• Adhere to secure channels for deliverables and maintain documentation revision history
• Initial assignment focuses on assessment and design; production changes require client change controls

Key requirements

• Strong enterprise network architecture experience with evidence of design and assessment work
• Hands-on Cisco ACI experience including fabric, tenants, VRFs, bridge domains, endpoint groups and contracts
• Strong Cisco routing knowledge and IP addressing, routing protocols, segmentation, and DC connectivity
• Experience reviewing Cisco ASA firewall configurations, traffic flows, NAT and HA
• Experience with F5 load balancers and their integration with network services
• Experience assessing disaster recovery and active/active designs, failover behavior and stateful dependencies
• Ability to safely investigate live configurations and propose proportionate changes with clear impacts
• Strong technical writing, diagramming, and stakeholder communication skills with formal design review experience

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Stakeholder engagement and ability to drive consensus
• Independent working style with collaborative approach
• Cisco ACI
• Cisco routing
• Cisco ASA firewall

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