Network Architect

Network Architect - Outside IR35- Remote with occasional on site requirement in Manchester - 6 months initial contract.

We are looking for a highly experienced Network Architect to support the review and development of the architecture for a critical rail technology environment.

This is a senior-level architecture role focused primarily on network, infrastructure, hosting and communications architecture. You will be responsible for understanding the current end-to-end architecture, assessing key dependencies and identifying opportunities to improve resilience, availability and overall system performance.

Experience within rail or other complex, safety-critical environments is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities -

• Review the existing TPCMS architecture, including server infrastructure at Three Bridges and Manchester.
• Assess dependencies on local and wide area communications systems.
• Review network, server, infrastructure and hosting architecture across the end-to-end solution.
• Consider alternative hosting and infrastructure approaches that could reduce reliance on communications subsystems.
• Review historical fault and failure data, including DRACAS and TRAMMS, and consider the implications for the current architecture.
• Assess the interaction and dependencies between the application, infrastructure and communications layers.
• Identify potential architectural, resilience and availability risks.
• Review failure modes and assess whether there are conflicts or dependencies between the TPCMS and communications architecture.
• Identify any timing, sequencing or communications dependencies that could contribute to service outages.
• Produce and update clear end-to-end architecture diagrams.
• Develop practical recommendations for improving the overall architecture.
• Produce a clear architectural review report covering findings, risks and proposed improvements.
• Work closely with technical and engineering stakeholders to validate the architecture and recommendations.

Essential Experience -

• Significant experience as a Senior Network Architect, Principal Network Architect or similar.
• Strong background in network architecture and infrastructure design.
• Experience designing and reviewing complex, distributed and highly available environments.
• Strong knowledge of WAN/LAN, routing, switching, firewalls, segmentation and network resilience.
• Good understanding of server, data centre and hosting architecture, including on-premise and hybrid environments.
• Experience assessing dependencies between applications, infrastructure and communications networks.
• Strong architectural documentation and diagramming skills.
• Experience carrying out technical or architectural reviews and translating findings into practical recommendations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Desirable Experience
• Previous experience within the rail or wider transport sector.
• Familiarity with SCADA, OT or ICSEnvironments.
• Experience with rail communications or operational technology systems.
• Experience working with geographically distributed or safety-critical systems.
• Knowledge of failure analysis, fault data or RAMS-related activities.
• Experience within other regulated environments such as nuclear, defence, utilities or critical national infrastructure.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone with deep network architecture experience who is comfortable operating at a senior architectural level and reviewing the bigger picture rather than focusing solely on individual network components.

You will ideally bring experience of working in rail or similarly complex environments.

Network and infrastructure architecture experience is essential rail experience is highly desirable, with SCADA/OT familiarity considered an advantage.