At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead network architecture strategy and ensure secure, scalable designs for innovative projects.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on cutting-edge network solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, professional growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to influence senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in network architecture while working with top-tier technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field; industry certifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Clearance: Developed Vetting (DV) - mandatory
Onsite Requirement: 3 days per week
Rate: £750 - £775 per day Inside IR35
Location: Milton Keynes
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Lead Technical Architect (Networks) to join our client, reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer. This is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and governing network architecture across both physical and logical domains. The successful candidate will play a key role in a new project, leading network architecture strategy and ensuring designs are secure, scalable, resilient, and cost-effective, aligned with organisational objectives and enterprise architecture standards. This role requires a strong blend of deep technical expertise, architecture governance, and stakeholder engagement, with a particular emphasis on end-to-end datacentre design and customer-facing delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead network architecture across physical and logical environments
- Define and govern secure, scalable, and cost-efficient network designs
- Act as the primary architect for key project delivery initiatives
- Translate business and security requirements into technical solutions
- Produce and review high- and low-level designs (conceptual, logical, physical) aligned to TOGAF
- Provide leadership and guidance to architects and technical teams
- Drive best practices in network automation, provisioning, and orchestration
- Influence senior stakeholders through evidence-based recommendations
- Support incident resolution and technical escalations
- Develop and maintain technical roadmaps aligned to organisational strategy
Essential Skills & Experience
Qualifications & Certifications
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or Telecommunications
- Industry certifications or willingness to work towards (TOGAF, ITIL, PRINCE2, Agile)
- Professional certifications such as:
- CCNP (Cisco)
- VCP-NV (VMware)
- PCNSE (Palo Alto)
- Azure Network Engineer / AWS Solutions Architect (or equivalent experience)
Technical Expertise
- Proven experience designing and governing secure network architectures across:
- VMware (private cloud)
- Microsoft on-premise environments
- Multi-cloud (Azure and/or AWS)
- Strong experience delivering LAN, WAN, hybrid cloud, and datacentre network designs
Deep Understanding
- Cisco technologies (ACI, ASA, Firepower, ASR, Catalyst, Nexus)
- VMware NSX
- Palo Alto Firewalls
Networking Protocols and Technologies
- VLANs, MPLS, IPsec, OSPF, BGP, SD-WAN, SDN
- TCP/IP, VPN, DNS, QoS
- Experience designing networks in Azure (VNet) and AWS (VPC)
Knowledge of
- Zero Trust architecture
- Network automation and orchestration
- Monitoring tools (SolarWinds, PRTG)
- F5 BIG-IP (LTM, ASM)
- Understanding of high-grade encryption technologies for secure environments
Architecture & Delivery Experience
- Experience producing robust architecture designs using TOGAF frameworks
Strong Track Record of
- Designing secure, resilient environments (ideally government/defence)
- Delivering business continuity and disaster recovery solutions
- Designing DDoS protection and security controls (WAF, IDS/IPS, EDR/XDR/NDR)
- Experience evaluating solution options across cost, quality, time, and risk
- Exposure to network automation tools (eg Ansible, Terraform, Python)
- Experience working within CI/CD and DevSecOps environments
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and decision-makers
- Ability to act as a key escalation point for complex issues
- Strong customer-facing and communication skills
Knowledge Requirements
- UK Government and security frameworks, including:
- NCSC guidance
- GDS standards
- Secure by Design principles
- Cloud Security Principles
- Technology Code of Practice
- Experience designing secure/air-gapped environments
- Expertise in cloud-native networking and modern architectural practices
Desirable Skills
- Membership of professional bodies (eg, BCS, IET)
- Experience working at OFFICIAL (or higher) government classification levels
- Advanced certifications (eg, CCIE)
- Experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) networking
- Awareness of AI-driven operational optimisation
- Strong experience with automation in DevSecOps environments
Certes Computing (and all of its subsidiary companies) is committed to promoting equality and diversity in its business operations.
Lead Technical Network Architect - DV Cleared employer: Certes Computing Ltd
At Certes Computing, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Lead Technical Network Architect role in Milton Keynes. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and professional growth, offering employees opportunities to lead impactful projects while working alongside industry experts. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we provide a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages continuous learning, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Technical Network Architect - DV Cleared
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Technical Network Architect - DV Cleared
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Toolbox:Let’s be real: in IT consulting, your skills and tools can make or break the project. Make sure your CV includes a solid list of the technologies you’ve worked with and any specific programming languages you're fluent in. If you’ve got experience with project management tools, like JIRA or Trello, shout about that too! It shows you're not just a tech head, but you can manage the chaos too.
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Be Clear on Your Rates and Availability:When applying for freelance roles, clarity is key! Include your rates and availability upfront in your application to avoid any confusion later. This honesty will save both you and Certes Computing Ltd time, and it shows you’re serious about doing business. We believe it’s best to be transparent right from the get-go!
How to prepare for a job interview at Certes Computing Ltd
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
In IT consulting, they’ll want to see how you tackle real-life client issues. Prepare to discuss specific case studies from your freelance experience where you've demonstrated your problem-solving prowess. Come armed with examples that highlight the strategies you used and the results achieved.
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✨Brush Up on the Latest Tech Trends
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Expect some hypothetical or situational questions that assess how you'd handle various client scenarios. Practice thinking on your feet and responding to questions about project challenges or client interactions. This shows your adaptability and readiness for the freelance lifestyle, which works differently from traditional employment.
