Principal Network Architect / London/ Contract

The Principal Network Architect is a senior role within Group-IT with a primary objective of leading on the enablement of business capability and enhanced end-user experience through the utilisation of existing and new technologies and solutions across the Telecoms network.

The role involves leading and executing on key technical decisions about future network technology investments, network architecture and enabling digital transformation within Go-Ahead. The role will lead on developing technical requirements, drafting of design documentation and ensuring the seamless handover of new telecom network platforms and services into operation. The role will act as a principal technical authority on the core network technology utilised within Group-IT ensuring alignment to the business strategies of the operating companies, whilst also providing technical input and consultancy around telecoms technology, infrastructure and applications.

In addition, the role will be working with the Group CTO on leading the development and delivery of the Telecoms Network Roadmap into Go-Ahead including the promotion of digital transformation, network innovation and delivering cost-effective solutions. The role will also act as a principal technical lead into network operations under escalation, developing and maturing the problem management process eliminating reoccurring issues across the telecom network estate, and improving knowledge management.

Skills Needed

• Expert knowledge of telecoms networks including domains such as IP/MPLS network architecture, network engineering, routing, switching and WAN/LAN.
• Expert knowledge around networking technologies including NetFlow, TCP and UDP signaling, IS-IS, OSPFv2, OSPFv3, iBGP, eBGP, MPLS Layer 3 VPNs, Pseudowire, and Ethernet switching.
• In-depth experience around telecom network architecture including designing and building large-scale global and national IP/Optical networks of carrier-grade capability.
• Intermediate knowledge around network infrastructure including datacentres, WAN/LAN networking, Security Infrastructure (Firewalls/Load-Balancers/DDoS).
• Experience implementing and managing carrier grade network and network technologies such as Carrier Ethernet, MPLS and SDN technologies.
• Intermediate knowledge around Cyber and Information Security network protection, detection and mitigation.
• Intermediate knowledge around network data management including Data Governance, Design, Security, Quality and Integrity.
• Ability to analyse complex technical and business issues and to formulate innovative, creative, well-reasoned and logical network architecture and designs or resolutions to the associated problem.
• Understanding and correlating disconnected documentation and information into structured architecture models and principles that support technology transformation and meet the user needs.

Relevant Experience

• Significant experience in telecoms platforms and organisations across network architecture, network design, provisioning and operational break/fix.
• Significant experience as an enterprise architect/technical architect across large, private or public-sector organisations.
• Experience in direct people management and/or acting as the team leader across cross-functional working groups.
• Experience in Requirements Engineering, Solution Architecture, Design, Development and Deployment.
• Experience of working closely with pre-sales teams and clients to scope technical requirements and produce detailed architecture and design for implementation.
• Experience of scoping/designing telecoms projects within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Additional Experience

• Flexible approach to working on projects and workload. Role may require hands-on assistance/guidance at times.
• Ability to work remotely as required, and/or from associated London operating company offices as relevant.
• Capability to act as the designated delegate to the Group CTO when he/she is absent from the workplace.