Network Architect

TN United Kingdom; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled Network Architect to design and implement secure, high-performance networks. This role is pivotal in shaping the organization's technology landscape, focusing on Cisco and AWS technologies. As part of a dynamic team, you'll lead architectural initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic goals while fostering innovation. With a commitment to sustainability and community support, this organization offers a flexible and inclusive work environment. If you thrive in complex, regulated settings and are passionate about technology, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Bonus scheme

11% company contribution pension

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Free parking

Subsidised public transport

Company discounts

Free Virtual GP service

Care Concierge service

Two volunteering days per year

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience as a technical SME in large organizations.
• Proven success in designing and implementing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure solutions meet business needs.
• Own high-level technical designs and promote architecture strategy.

Skills

Cisco CCNP Enterprise

AWS Certified

Advanced networking qualifications

Software-defined infrastructure

Cloud technologies

Education

TOGAF or equivalent qualification

Tools

VMWare VCF

AWS services (EC2, S3, ELB, EKS)

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Manchester Airport based
Permanent Role
Flexible/Hybrid working for a better work/life balance
We are proud to be a diverse employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds

Why MAG?

Manchester Airport Group:

At MAG, we provide airport facilities and travel services that connect people with the world. As the largest UK-owned airport operator, we serve over 60 million passengers annually from Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands Airports. Our network spans over 270 destinations worldwide, fostering regional prosperity and global connectivity.

Sustainability is at our core, guiding our efforts in environmental protection and community support. Our initiatives include decarbonisation of airports and airlines, education, skills development, employment support, and community engagement, including volunteering opportunities.

We believe creating a first-class journey for our customers starts with a first-class career journey for our colleagues. We are committed to fostering inclusive environments where our people can thrive. Benefits include:

• Bonus scheme
• 11% company contribution pension
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Free parking
• Subsidised public transport
• A wide range of company discounts
• Free Virtual GP service, available 24/7
• Care Concierge service
• Two volunteering days per year

The role

Do you excel in complex, regulated environments and have a passion for designing and building secure, high-performance networks? We are seeking a talented Network Architect to join our growing team.

You will play a vital role in designing and implementing our group network infrastructure, focusing on Cisco campus and SD-WAN technologies, AWS cloud integration, and building secure critical national infrastructure.

With significant growth programs underway, MAG is transforming its technology landscape to support the organization’s future, including a comprehensive Infrastructure Transformation Programme across the Group.

Working with platform and product leads, you will leverage your expertise in enterprise, solutions, and technical architecture to define, deliver, and support solutions that meet business needs and align with our enterprise architecture vision.

Role Responsibilities

• Collaborate with IT Architecture, Infrastructure Operations, and Project Management to ensure solutions are complete, operable, and meet business needs with quality service.
• Own high-level technical designs, translating business requirements into technology architectures that align with strategic goals, leveraging existing enterprise assets for cost savings.
• Promote and communicate the technology architecture, strategy, and governance to diverse stakeholders and technical teams.
• Ensure solutions are fit for purpose, meet business needs, and support strategic architecture.
• Participate in peer reviews and QA of architectural artifacts.
• Contribute to defining enterprise architecture standards and guidelines.
• Participate in the Technical Design Authority as appropriate.
• Provide architecture leadership to projects, ensuring designs conform to infrastructure standards and strategic vision.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies relevant to MAG’s IT strategy.
• Assist in supplier evaluation, assessing product usefulness and cost-effectiveness.

What will make you successful in the role?

Essential technical skills

• Cisco CCNP Enterprise and AWS Certified
• Advanced networking qualifications or equivalent experience
• Proven success in designing and implementing solutions in a large organization with multiple data centers, extensive staff, and global satellite sites
• Minimum 5 years as a technical SME, leading mid-sized projects (over £1m)
• Expertise in software-defined infrastructure, network, or cloud technologies

Depth of expertise in:

• Private SDI: VMWare VCF, vSAN, NSX-T
• Public SDI: AWS services like EC2, S3, ELB, EKS
• Enterprise Campus Networking (MPLS, VXLAN)

Breadth of skills in:

• Architectural modeling, design, and road mapping
• DevOps, automation, orchestration
• Enterprise Service Bus
• Cloud hosting platforms
• Microsoft Modern Workplace: M365, security, mobility
• Experience with large-scale projects
• TOGAF or equivalent qualification