At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of secure and scalable network architectures across various domains.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on innovative network solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, contract role, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the tech space while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field; relevant certifications preferred.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to influence strategic technical direction.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
For this role we are looking for a Lead Technical Architect with strong and broad knowledge and experience across the wide Technical Architecture space but focusing on Networking. You will own the end-to-end network architecture across physical and logical domains, including but not limited to, WAN, LAN, SD-WAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, firewalls, load balancers, and network security services.
Lead the design and planning of scalable, resilient, and secure network solutions that meet business, technical, and cyber security requirements. Contribute to the Technical Design Authority (TDA) as a voting member when required, providing expert review of network-related proposals and influencing strategic technical direction.
Essential:
- Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or Telecommunications.
- Holds or is willing to work towards recognised qualifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, Agile Project Management, PRINCE2, or equivalent experience.
- You will ideally hold professional certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualisation (VCP-NV), Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE), Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, or equivalent experience.
Proven experience designing and governing secure networks using VMware (private cloud), Microsoft on-premise, and multi-cloud (Azure and/or AWS) technologies. Led scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient LAN, WAN, and hybrid cloud network designs. Translate business/security requirements into secure, efficient, and cost-effective designs. Experience in reviewing and assuring complex solutions and authored concise and high quality high and low-level designs (conceptual, logical, and physical architecture layers) using the TOGAF framework. Demonstrable expertise in network automation, provisioning, and orchestration.
Experience leading and managing technical architects, providing direction, coaching, and professional development to build capability and technical excellence across functions.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge in designing secure or air-gapped platforms within the government sector.
- Knowledge of NCSC, GDS, and UK government security frameworks, including Secure by Design, Cloud Security Principles, Government Functional Standards, and the Technology Code of Practice.
- Design knowledge of modern practices such as zero trust architecture and network automation.
- Designing cloud-native networking within Microsoft Azure/AWS (Azure VNet/AWS VPC).
- You will have deep technical knowledge across physical and logical network architectures, including Cisco (ACI, ASA, Firepower (NGFW), ASR, Catalyst, and Nexus), VMware NSX, and Palo Alto Firewalls.
- You will have a strong understanding of networking protocols and technologies such as VLANs, MPLS, IPsec, OSPF, BGP, SD-WAN, SDN, TCP/IP, ICMP, VPN, DNS, and QoS.
- Design knowledge of F5 BIG-IP (LTM, ASM) and experience with monitoring platforms such as SolarWinds and PRTG.
- You will understand the design, configuration, integration, and operation of high-grade encryption devices used to protect classified sensitive information.
Experience:
- Designed architectures for secure environments, ideally within government or defence.
- Developed and maintained technical roadmaps aligned with organisational strategy.
- Evaluated solution options and advised on time, cost, quality, and security trade-offs.
- Experience architecting DDoS protection and mitigation alongside firewalls, WAF, IDS/IPS, and EDR/XDR/NDR systems.
- Experience designing business continuity, disaster recovery, robust datacentre and resilience solutions.
- Led or managed teams, providing direction and professional development.
- Influenced senior stakeholders through credible, evidence-based recommendations.
- Acted as an escalation point for complex technical incidents to restore service.
- Used operational data and metrics to identify and deliver optimisation opportunities.
- Maintained continuous professional development and awareness of emerging tools.
Lead Technical Architect in Milton Keynes employer: Network IT
Contact Detail:
Network IT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Technical Architect in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network with industry professionals! Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences related to technical architecture and networking. 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 that highlights your past projects and designs. Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate in network architecture, especially in secure environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with specific technologies like Cisco, VMware, and cloud solutions, as well as how you’ve led teams and influenced stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We often have exclusive listings and it’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Technical Architect in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Technical Architect role. Highlight your experience with network architecture, security frameworks, and any relevant certifications. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past work that relate to the job description, especially around designing secure networks and leading teams.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical knowledge! Mention your experience with technologies like Cisco, VMware, and cloud networking. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their deep understanding of the tools and protocols mentioned in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Network IT
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of networking protocols and technologies like VLANs, MPLS, and SD-WAN. Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Cisco, VMware, and Palo Alto Firewalls, as well as how you've applied them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Technical Architect, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and manage teams. Prepare examples of how you've coached team members or influenced stakeholders, and be ready to discuss your approach to building technical excellence across functions.
✨Understand the Security Landscape
Familiarise yourself with UK government security frameworks and modern practices like zero trust architecture. Be prepared to explain how you've designed secure networks and your understanding of compliance requirements, especially in sensitive environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet. Practice articulating your thought process when designing network solutions or addressing complex technical incidents. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.