Technical Architect (Networking) - #194256

This role is responsible for the design, configuration & implementation of complex network & secure access technologies. The role requires a deep understanding of client business requirements & IT needs, leading to the creation of scalable, secure & efficient architectural strategies that incorporate a range of network, firewall, wireless, WAN & secure access solutions.

The Technical Architect will guide customers through technology transitions, including network implementations, upgrades, WAN transformation, firewall modernisation, secure access adoption & network optimisation. The role will also act as a technical design authority for network & secure access transformation, aligning WAN, firewall, LAN/WLAN, identity, endpoint & service transition into a coherent target design.

Core Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Sales & Pre-Sales teams to fully understand customer needs
• Conduct detailed analysis of customer network architecture, applications, business processes & security requirements to ensure proposed solutions align to current needs & future growth
• Produce designs that utilise the most appropriate technology options within customer budget
• Ensure designs consider the wider technical estate & integrate effectively with existing systems, platforms & operational processes
• Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, highly available & capable of supporting flexible capacity requirements
• Design & support the delivery of network & secure access transformation programmes, including WAN, firewall, LAN/WLAN, SASE, ZTNA & managed network services
• Ensure solutions can be monitored, maintained & patched in line with ITPS platforms & standards, enabling seamless onboarding into support
• Produce high quality pre & post-installation documentation, including high level designs, low level designs, implementation plans, test plans & handover documentation
• Lead solution presentations & engage in technical discussions with customers, addressing concerns & providing clarification where required
• Act as an escalation point for complex network & secure access issues, supporting both project delivery & managed service teams
• Play an active role in the professional development of engineers, championing knowledge sharing & supporting a collaborative technical culture
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 20000-1 & ISO 27001 requirements
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies & best practice across networking, security, cloud access & managed services
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by your line manager

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Technical Architect, Network Architect, Senior Network Engineer or similar role, ideally within an MSP environment
• Significant experience of network design & implementation, especially Cisco & Meraki
• Experience designing & delivering modern secure access architectures, including SASE/SSE, ZTNA, cloud-delivered web security, remote access replacement & identity integration with Microsoft Entra ID.
• Experience with Cisco Secure Access, Cisco Secure Endpoint, managed firewall services, WAN transformation & LAN/WLAN modernisation would be highly advantageous
• In-depth expertise in designing & delivering complex network solutions, including routing, switching, firewalling, wireless, VPN, SD-WAN & Internet-first network architectures
• Strong understanding of service transition, operational readiness & support handover
• Exceptional problem solving skills with the ability to rapidly understand technical issues & propose viable technical solutions
• Ability to break down & communicate highly technical or complex problems to audiences ranging from junior technical resources to stakeholders with no technical background
• Comfortable leading technical presentations & design discussions with senior stakeholders, including C-suite executives
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, Cisco Meraki Solutions Specialist certifications are highly advantageous.

This role is ideal for a dedicated IT professional eager to leverage their expertise in a dynamic environment while contributing to innovative networking solutions that drive organisational success.