Network Architect
Posted Today by RP International
£600 Per day
Outside
Hybrid
London Area, United Kingdom
Summary: The role of a senior Network Architect involves assessing and documenting the current network estate for a major financial services client, identifying risks, and producing architectural recommendations. The position requires both technical expertise and the ability to present findings to senior executives. The candidate must have extensive experience with Cisco networking and a strong background in financial services. The role is primarily remote with one day per week on-site in London.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and document the current network estate across LAN, WAN, and Data Centre environments.
- Identify fragmentation, technical debt, and architectural risk within the existing environment.
- Produce a current state assessment and a clear future state architecture recommendation.
- Validate existing designs and configurations against current best practices for financial services environments.
- Engage with internal technology teams, architects, and engineering staff to gather information and validate findings.
- Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders and executive audiences.
- Define a pragmatic, prioritised roadmap from current to target state.
Key Skills:
- Expert-level knowledge of Cisco networking across LAN, WAN, and Data Centre.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco ACI, including policy model, fabric design, and operational management.
- Strong command of BGP and OSPF in enterprise and data centre contexts.
- Proven ability to assess fragmented, multi-vendor environments and produce HLD/LLD documentation independently.
- Strong understanding of network security principles as they apply to financial services infrastructure.
- CCIE-level expertise or equivalent demonstrated experience.
- Substantial background in financial services, including banking or capital markets.
Salary (Rate): £600 daily
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
Rate: £550-£600 Outside IR35
Duration: 3 months initially, view to extend
Location: London 1 day per week, 4 days remote (open to remote)
Overview
We are looking for a senior Network Architect for an engagement with a major financial services client. You will be an expert-level practitioner who is equally comfortable working at depth technically and presenting findings to senior executives. Both skills are essential for this engagement.
What the Role Involves
Assess and document the current network estate across LAN, WAN, and Data Centre environments
Identify fragmentation, technical debt, and architectural risk within the existing environment
Produce a current state assessment and a clear future state architecture recommendation
Validate existing designs and configurations against current best practice for financial services environments
Engage with internal technology teams, architects, and engineering staff to gather information and validate findings
Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders and executive audiences: translating technical complexity into business risk and impact
Define a pragmatic, prioritised roadmap from current to target state
Technical Skills Required
Cisco Platform Expertise
Expert-level knowledge of Cisco networking across LAN, WAN, and Data Centre: this is non-negotiable
Hands-on experience with Cisco ACI: policy model, fabric design, and operational management
Familiarity with Cisco DNA Centre, ISE, and related campus and branch tooling
Routing and Switching Protocols
Strong command of BGP and OSPF in enterprise and data centre contexts
Working knowledge of EIGRP and other legacy protocols: able to assess environments where these remain in use
Understanding of SD-WAN architectures and migration considerations
Architecture and Assessment
Proven ability to assess fragmented, multi-vendor environments and produce HLD/LLD documentation independently
Experience producing current state assessments and future state recommendations as formal deliverables
Strong understanding of network security principles as they apply to financial services infrastructure
Familiarity with cloud connectivity patterns (Azure/AWS) and hybrid architectures
Experience Required
CCIE-level expertise: certified or equivalent demonstrated experience. Depth of knowledge is what matters
Substantial background in financial services: banking, capital markets, or equivalent regulated environments
Experience presenting to senior technology stakeholders: Heads of Architecture, CTOs, or equivalent