Lead Infrastructure Architect

JR United Kingdom; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking a seasoned Lead Infrastructure Engineer/Architect to drive the design and delivery of complex IT infrastructure projects across on-prem, hybrid, and cloud environments. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in network design, security solutions, and virtualization technologies. This key leadership role requires strong technical skills, a passion for robust infrastructure solutions, and the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders. If you are a committed team player with a knack for problem-solving and innovation, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in IT infrastructure with leadership in architecture.
• Hands-on expertise with VMware vSphere/ESXi and virtualization best practices.
• Strong knowledge of UNIX/Linux and Windows Server platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of IT infrastructure solutions.
• Design and review network topologies and security policies.
• Oversee and guide implementation teams, ensuring adherence to standards.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Tools

VMware

Ansible

Terraform

Nagios

Zabbix

SolarWinds

Job description

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We are looking for a seasoned and hands-on Lead Infrastructure Engineer / Architect with deep expertise in network design, infrastructure architecture, firewall and security solutions, and virtualization technologies such as VMware. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving end-to-end design and delivery of complex IT infrastructure projects across on-prem, hybrid, and cloud environments. The ideal candidate will have a solid technical background, strong leadership capabilities, and a passion for delivering robust, secure, and scalable infrastructure solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of enterprise-grade IT infrastructure solutions.
• Design and review network topologies, security zones, firewall rules, and infrastructure security policies in alignment with business and compliance needs.
• Architect and implement solutions across virtualization platforms (VMware), cloud environments (IaaS), and on-premises systems.
• Develop scalable infrastructure roadmaps, ensuring high availability, performance, and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Oversee and guide implementation teams, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and best practices.
• Work collaboratively with other architects, project managers, security teams, and stakeholders to align infrastructure plans with overall IT strategy.
• Conduct regular technical reviews, risk assessments, and performance evaluations of infrastructure solutions.
• Contribute to the development of automation, monitoring, and proactive support frameworks for infrastructure systems.
• Stay updated with emerging infrastructure and security technologies and evaluate their potential integration into existing systems.

Required Skills and Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in IT infrastructure with leadership in architecture and solution design.
• Proven experience in network design, infrastructure planning, firewall and security design.
• Hands-on expertise with VMware vSphere/ESXi, vCenter, and virtualization best practices.
• Strong knowledge of UNIX/Linux and Windows Server platforms.
• Experience in architecting solutions across data center, SAN/NAS storage, backup/DR, and IT security domains.
• Exposure to cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure/GCP) and hybrid architectures.
• In-depth understanding of routing/switching, firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA, etc.), and security hardening practices.
• Familiarity with automation tools (Ansible, Terraform, etc.) and monitoring solutions (Nagios, Zabbix, SolarWinds, etc.).
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure on critical issues.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Certifications:

• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• ITIL Foundation / TOGAF (preferred but not mandatory)

Personal Attributes:

• A multi-faceted I.T. Infrastructure professional with strong supervisory and technical expertise.
• Proven ability to take the lead in design and delivery of complex, large-scale IT infrastructure projects.
• A committed team player with the aptitude and attitude to collaborate and drive outcomes.
• Fast learner with a passion for new technologies and continuous improvement.