At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of secure network solutions for diverse clients.
- Company: Join CDW, a leader in tech solutions with a focus on customer success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and grow your career.
- Why this job: Shape innovative network architectures and drive impactful customer outcomes.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in network architecture and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At CDW, we deliver customer outcomes through deep technical expertise, trusted relationships, and a strong services‑led approach. The Senior Network Architect operates as a senior presale overlay within the Secure Networks practice, responsible for shaping, designing, and leading complex network and security solutions aligned to customer business outcomes. This role translates business requirements into high‑level architectures, drives solution strategy across multi‑vendor environments, and leads engagements from early discovery through to proposal and handover to delivery.
Role Overview
- Owning solution architecture for complex customer opportunities
- Leading discovery, design, and proposal activities
- Aligning technology solutions to business outcomes, KPIs, and commercial objectives
- Driving the integration of CDW’s Professional and Managed Services into solution designs
- Supporting revenue growth through high‑value, outcome‑led engagements
What you will do
Customer Engagement & Solution Ownership
- Lead customer discovery sessions to capture business and technical requirements
- Translate customer outcomes into scalable, high‑level architectures
- Act as the technical authority throughout the engagement lifecycle
- Present solutions confidently to technical and non‑technical stakeholders
Architecture & Design
- Produce high‑quality solution proposals and, where necessary, High‑Level Designs (HLDs) aligned to customer requirements
- Design secure, scalable, and resilient network architectures across campus, data centre, WAN, and cloud domains
- Ensure alignment with best practices, vendor‑validated designs, and CDW standards
- Support pricing, sizing, and commercial positioning
- Identify opportunities to enhance solutions with additional services or capabilities
- Contribution to pipeline growth and strategic opportunities
Multi‑Vendor Solution Strategy
- Define optimal technology stacks across networking and security domains
- Assess multiple vendor solutions for compatibility, scalability, and business fit
- Leverage vendor relationships, tools, and resources to validate designs
Services Integration
- Embed Professional and Managed Services into solution designs
- Support scoping and estimation of services aligned to customer outcomes
- Collaborate with delivery teams to ensure smooth transition post‑sale
What we expect of you
Core Experience
- 10+ years in network architecture, design, or consulting roles
- Strong experience across enterprise and/or data centre networking
- Proven track record of leading customer‑facing technical engagements
Technical Expertise
- Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions
- Strong problem‑solving and solution design capability
- Experience producing high‑quality technical documentation (HLDs, proposals)
Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Confident presenter to senior stakeholders
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to influence and build consensus across technical and commercial teams
Commercial Awareness
- Understanding of solution pricing, risk, and commercial positioning
- Ability to align technical design with revenue and margin objectives
- Customer‑focused and outcome‑driven
- Strong analytical and decision‑making capability
- Effective collaboration across cross‑functional teams
- High level of accountability and ownership
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Nice to Have
- Experience with Zero Trust architectures and modern security frameworks
- Exposure to cloud networking (AWS, Azure)
- Exposure within observability and AIOps (Splunk, Logic Monitor, Big Panda)
- Experience with automation and AI‑driven operations (Python, NetBox, Ansible, Terraform)
- Relevant certifications (e.g. CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, etc.)
- Working experience with AI within the workplace (Microsoft CoPilot)
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to travel as required (typically up to 25%)
Senior Solution Architect - Secure Networks employer: CDW UK
CDW is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where employees are encouraged to bring their authentic selves and innovative ideas to the table. With a strong focus on professional development, CDW offers extensive training opportunities and support for obtaining vendor certifications, ensuring that Field Services Engineers can thrive in their roles while enjoying competitive benefits such as private medical insurance, generous holiday allowances, and a contributory pension scheme. Located in the vibrant Kent/South East Coast area, this role provides the chance to engage with diverse clients and tackle exciting technical challenges, making it a rewarding career choice for those passionate about IT solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Solution Architect - Secure Networks
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential employers. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your past projects and solutions you've designed. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, let them see your work in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your pitch. Being able to confidently present your ideas is key, especially for a role like Senior Solution Architect.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Solution Architect - Secure Networks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Solution Architect role. Highlight your experience in network architecture and how it aligns with the job description. We want to see how your skills can help us deliver those customer outcomes!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t hold back on your technical skills! Include specific examples of high-level designs you've produced or complex solutions you've led. This is your chance to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and how you translate business needs into tech solutions.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication should be spot on. Use clear, concise language and avoid jargon where possible. Remember, we need to see that you can present solutions confidently to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at CDW UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your network architecture and security knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific technologies, frameworks, and your experience with them. This role requires a deep understanding of how to translate business needs into technical solutions, so be prepared to showcase your expertise.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll be presenting solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points and demonstrate your ability to engage with different audiences.
✨Align with Business Outcomes
Understand the importance of aligning technology solutions with customer business outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you've done this in previous roles, focusing on KPIs and commercial objectives. Show that you can think strategically about how your solutions drive value.
✨Showcase Collaboration Skills
This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, so highlight your collaboration skills. Share examples of how you've worked with delivery teams or other departments to ensure smooth transitions and successful project outcomes. Emphasise your ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
