At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise large-scale network hosting environments for enterprise and cloud services.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm committed to inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Freelance flexibility, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with top-tier teams and influence key business decisions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of network architecture in a dynamic, hybrid work environment.
- Qualifications: 8-12 years in network engineering with expertise in cloud and payment systems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Contract | Comgent | United Kingdom Posted On 04/18/2026
Standard Business working Hours Yes
Work Experience 8-10
City London
State/Province City of London N/A
Special Considerations: We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and encourage applications from women and other under-represented groups in tech. All qualified candidates are welcome.
Start date: May/ June 2026
Location: London, UK (Hybrid — minimum 2 days per week in office)
Reports to Head of Data Centre and Network Services.
A highly skilled Senior Network Hosting Architect with extensive experience designing, delivering, and optimising large-scale enterprise, internet-facing, cloud, and market-data-driven hosting environments. This role is accountable for shaping end-to-end hosting network architectures supporting internal enterprise workloads, external internet services, regulated payment platforms, and real‑time market data distribution, ensuring resilience, security, scalability, and operational excellence in performance‑critical and regulated environments.
Deep expertise across traditional networking, multi‑cloud connectivity, low‑latency market data platforms, payment systems, and SaaS‑integrated infrastructure. Strong architectural leadership, stakeholder engagement, and structured delivery capabilities are essential, with the ability to influence both technical teams and senior business leadership. The ideal candidate is proactive, able to be detail‑orientated when required, and comfortable operating in regulated environments.
Requirements
- Hosting Network Architecture & Strategy
- Lead the architecture of secure, scalable, and resilient network hosting platforms across:
- On‑premise data centres and colocation
- Hybrid and multi‑cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP/GSP, Oracle Cloud)
- SaaS‑integrated services (e.g. Microsoft 365, infrastructure SaaS platforms)
- Define hosting strategies supporting market data platforms, payment systems, enterprise applications, and customer‑facing internet services.
- Develop multi‑year network hosting roadmaps aligned to business growth, regulatory expectations, and technology evolution.
- Technical Governance & Engineering Leadership
- Act as the senior technical authority for complex hosting, connectivity, and L2–L7 network challenges across enterprise, internet, and SaaS‑integrated environments.
- Own architectural governance for market data, payment platform, and cloud hosting designs, ensuring compliance with internal standards and external regulation.
- Provide design assurance for secure inbound/outbound internet connectivity, DDoS‑protected architectures, and Zero Trust access models.
- Cloud, SaaS & Internet Connectivity
- Architect and operate cloud networking across:
- AWS, Azure, Google Cloud / GSP, and Oracle Cloud
- Hybrid connectivity using ExpressRoute, Direct Connect, Partner Interconnect, and equivalent services
- Design resilient connectivity models for Microsoft 365 and key infrastructure SaaS services, including identity‑aware routing, secure egress, and performance optimisation.
- Define internet hosting patterns covering DMZs, ingress/egress, load balancing, DNS, CDN integration, and secure access.
- Market Data & Low‑Latency Platforms
- Architect, optimise, and support market data hosting environments including:
- Bloomberg, Reuters, and other exchange / data‑vendor platforms
- Low‑latency multicast and unicast distribution
- Cross‑connects within colocation and exchange venues
- Design deterministic, high‑availability network paths for latency‑sensitive trading and analytics workloads.
- Partner with vendors and internal platform teams to ensure performance, resilience, and change control for market data services.
- Payment Systems & Regulated Hosting
- Design hosting network architectures for payment systems and transactional platforms, ensuring:
- High availability and fault tolerance
- Secure segmentation and encryption
- Compliance with financial and regulatory requirements
- Support connectivity to payment gateways, clearing systems, and third‑party providers, including resilience testing and failure scenarios.
- Project & Transformation Delivery
- Lead major hosting and network transformation initiatives, including:
- Data centre and ACI modernisation
- Cloud and SaaS adoption
- Internet hosting and perimeter redesign
- Market data and payment platform migrations
- Drive structured planning, risk management, stakeholder coordination, and controlled delivery.
- Operations Excellence & Automation
- Champion continuous optimisation across performance, capacity, routing efficiency, internet ingress/egress, and cloud cost efficiency.
- Lead resolution of high‑severity incidents across enterprise, market data, payment, and internet‑facing platforms.
- Implement automation, observability, and tooling using Infrastructure‑as‑Code and API‑driven platforms.
- Act as the technical interface with:
- SaaS providers (e.g. Microsoft 365)
- Telcos, ISPs, exchanges, and market data vendors (Bloomberg, Reuters)
- Review and influence technical solutions, SLAs, contracts, and support models.
- Provide clear architectural updates and risk assessments to senior stakeholders.
- Security, Resilience & Compliance
- Embed Zero Trust, segmentation, encryption, and secure connectivity across hosting platforms.
- Ensure internet‑facing, cloud, market data, and payment environments meet regulatory, audit, and operational resilience standards.
- Maintain high‑quality architecture artefacts, runbooks, and audit evidence.
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- 8–12+ years in network engineering and hosting architecture, with senior or lead responsibility.
- Deep knowledge across L2–L7 enterprise, internet, and cloud networking.
- Payment systems and regulated transactional environments.
- Internet‑facing services and SaaS integration.
- Proven multi‑cloud expertise across AWS, Azure, GCP/GSP, and Oracle Cloud.
- Experience supporting Microsoft 365 and infrastructure SaaS connectivity models.
- Advanced routing (BGP, OSPF), low‑latency design, multicast, and high‑availability patterns.
- Comfortable operating in regulated financial services environments with audit‑ready practices.
- Architectural rigor: ensures all designs follow structured governance, secure patterns, and best‑practice frameworks.
- Cross‑Team influence: communicates technical concepts clearly to cybersecurity, infrastructure, and business stakeholders.
- Operational excellence: drives stability, repeatability, and continuous improvement in security operations.
- Innovation & forward thinking: identifies emerging threats, technologies, and solutions relevant to enterprise environments.
Senior Network Hosting Architect - freelance - hybrid, London, UK employer: Comgent
At Comgent, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and dynamic work environment that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Senior Network Hosting Architect in London, you'll benefit from a hybrid working model, competitive compensation, and opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative team dedicated to innovation in technology. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry while enjoying the vibrant culture of one of the world's most exciting cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Network Hosting Architect - freelance - hybrid, London, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network with industry professionals! Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences related to network hosting and architecture. This is a great way to make connections and learn about job opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a personal website where you can display your projects, achievements, and any relevant certifications. This will help you stand out when networking or during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its tech stack. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in areas like cloud connectivity and payment systems. Tailor your responses to highlight your architectural leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We often have exclusive listings and resources that can help you land that dream role. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Network Hosting Architect - freelance - hybrid, London, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Network Hosting Architect role. Highlight your experience with cloud platforms, network architecture, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in designing resilient and secure hosting environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this freelance position. Share specific examples of your past work that align with the job description, especially around multi-cloud connectivity and payment systems.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your technical expertise! Mention your familiarity with AWS, Azure, GCP, and any other relevant technologies. We want to see how you can contribute to our hosting strategies and architectural governance.
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 this exciting opportunity. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone!
How to prepare for a job interview at Comgent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of network hosting architectures, especially in hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your expertise in AWS, Azure, and GCP.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Network Hosting Architect, you'll need to lead teams and influence stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led architectural projects or transformed network services in previous roles.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Since this role involves working in regulated environments, be prepared to discuss your experience with compliance and security standards. Highlight any specific frameworks or regulations you've worked with, especially in financial services.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current network challenges, their approach to cloud adoption, and how they ensure operational excellence. This shows your genuine interest and strategic thinking.
