Network Architect (£650/day OUTSIDE IR35)
Posted 2 days ago by Brookwood Recruitment Ltd
£650 Per day
Outside
Remote
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Senior Network Architect will lead the migration from traditional MPLS/DVPN networks to Fortinet SD-WAN and support the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme. This role requires technical leadership across high-profile network programmes, ensuring secure and high-quality delivery while managing supplier transitions. The position is remote with occasional travel in the Thames Valley region and is contract-based for an initial period of 6 months.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic technical oversight and leadership on large-scale network programmes.
- Challenge and guide third-party network designs to ensure secure, high-quality delivery.
- Oversee supplier transitions, including offboarding and onboarding, maintaining service excellence.
- Advise on Cisco LAN environments, including Cisco Catalyst technologies.
- Support secure-by-design practices and act as a trusted technical advisor to stakeholders.
Key Skills:
- Proven experience leading WAN modernisation programmes, particularly MPLS to SD-WAN migrations.
- Hands-on experience with Fortinet SD-WAN solutions.
- Strong background in Cisco LAN infrastructure.
- Experience in customer-side technical leadership during supplier network transitions.
- Experience in secure or “blue light” environments (policing or emergency services preferred).
- Demonstrable ability to lead complex projects and resolve challenging situations.
- Awareness of TETRA/Airwave networks and ESN/ESMCP programme.
- Experience with national or multi-site programmes (desirable).
- Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, Fortinet NSE) (desirable).
Salary (Rate): £650 daily
City: Oxford
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
Senior Network Architect – WAN Modernisation & National Communications Programmes
Location: Remote, occasional travel in Thames Valley region
Contract: 6 months initial (possible extensions)
Rate: £650 per day (outside IR35)
About The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Architect to provide technical leadership across two high-profile programmes:
- Network Modernisation: Leading the migration from traditional MPLS/DVPN networks to Fortinet SD-WAN, including managing supplier transitions and ensuring continuity across multi-site environments.
- National Communications Programme: Supporting engagement with the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESN/ESMCP), maintaining awareness of TETRA/Airwave systems and national initiatives.
What You’ll Do:
- Provide strategic technical oversight and leadership on large-scale network programmes.
- Challenge and guide third-party network designs to ensure secure, high-quality delivery.
- Oversee supplier transitions, including offboarding and onboarding, maintaining service excellence.
- Advise on Cisco LAN environments, including Cisco Catalyst technologies.
- Support secure-by-design practices and act as a trusted technical advisor to stakeholders.
What We’re Looking For (Essential):
- Proven experience leading WAN modernisation programmes, particularly MPLS to SD-WAN migrations.
- Hands-on experience with Fortinet SD-WAN solutions.
- Strong background in Cisco LAN infrastructure.
- Experience in customer-side technical leadership during supplier network transitions.
- Experience in secure or “blue light” environments (policing or emergency services preferred).
- Demonstrable ability to lead complex projects and resolve challenging situations.
- Aware of TETRA/Airwave networks and ESN/ESMCP programme.
Desirable:
- Experience with national or multi-site programmes.
- Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, Fortinet NSE).
This is a high-impact, strategic role where your technical expertise and leadership will directly influence the success of critical network and communications programmes.