Senior Network Architect

Ocean Infinity; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Infinity seeks a Senior Network Architect to design, implement, and secure networking for autonomous marine platforms. You will shape end-to-end communications across radio, satellite, cellular, mesh, Wi‑Fi, and acoustic links, while coordinating with mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy engineers for seamless integration.

The role emphasizes secure, reliable networks in challenging marine environments, with a focus on IP networking, network security, cloud services, and field

Qualifications

• Requires degree in networking or engineering.
• Strong IP routing, switching, VLANs, QoS, firewalls, VPNs.
• Experience with cloud hosted services and Linux networking tools.
• Familiarity with maritime/remote operation networking is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as Subject Matter Expert for network architecture.
• Design end-to-end communications for USVs and AUVs (radio, satellite, cellular, mesh, Wi‑Fi, acoustic).
• Define and maintain IP architectures, VLANs, firewall rules, QoS, bandwidth, encryption.
• Produce system requirements, ICDs, test plans, and verification docs.
• Evaluate new comms technologies and work with cross-disciplinary teams.

Skills

IP networking

Network security

Linux networking

Cloud services

Ansible

AWS

OpenWRT

RouterOS

Education

Degree in Networking/Engineering

Tools

Cisco

MikroTik

Ubiquiti

Peplink

Job description

Worker Type: Employee Application End Date: We are using and creating technology to transform operations at sea to enable people and the planet to thrive. We are open-minded and fearless in our approach to innovation and don't believe in boundaries. We challenge everything and have massive ambitions to drag aging industries into the tech era. We take safety, equality and education very seriously, and our responsibilities don't stop at our front door. Our business is built on the belief that there's definitely a more environmentally responsible way to operate at sea. We employ people who share our core values. We expect our people to be courageous, trustworthy, and conscientious, driven by a desire to do the right thing. We strive for excellence, work collaboratively, and are genuinely excited by our work. We offer opportunities for our people to develop beyond their role and span a multitude of disciplines. These are open to all, regardless of background and experience level. Working with us means being part of a team that is harnessing technology and creativity to disrupt a traditional industry. We are not your average workplace.

We are seeking a Senior Network Architect to design, build and secure the networking, communications, and data pathways that underpin our USV and AUV systems. This is a hybrid role combining: Systems engineering (requirements, architecture, integration) Network & comms engineering (routing, radios, RF, protocols, data links) Network security considerations. You will ensure reliable, secure, high‑performance data communication between autonomous platforms, motherships, remote operators, cloud infrastructure, and onboard sensors. This role is ideal for someone keen to deliver secure, reliable complex networks in challenging marine environments.

What you will be doing

• Act as Subject Matter Expert for network architecture.
• Architect, design and document the end‑to‑end communications architecture for USVs and AUVs (radio, satellite, cellular, mesh, Wi‑Fi, acoustic systems).
• Define and maintain IP architectures, VLANs, firewall rules, QoS, bandwidth allocation, and encryption schemes.
• Produce communications system requirements, ICDs, test plans, and verification documentation (lean and pragmatic).
• Conduct trade studies for new comms technologies (e.g., new satcom services, mesh systems, acoustic modems).
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and autonomy engineers to ensure seamless integration.
• Provide technical expertise to operations and project teams.
• Help design tailored communication solutions for specific customer missions or environments.
• Ensure network architectures can meet security requirements for specific customer missions and environments.

Who you are

• Degree in Networking, Telecommunications, Electrical/Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar.
• Strong experience with IP networking (routing, switching, VLANs, firewalls, QoS, VPNs).
• Familiarity with radio and wireless communications (RF fundamentals, antennas, propagation).
• Hands‑on experience configuring network hardware (Cisco, MikroTik, Ubiquiti, Peplink, etc.).
• Understanding of satellite, 4G/5G, Wi‑Fi, or RF mesh communications.
• Experience building / managing cloud hosted services.
• Comfortable building, testing, and troubleshooting real hardware.
• Experience with Linux networking tools.
• Experience of secure network architecture and implementation, including cybersecurity principles (secure comms, certificate management, hardening).
• Desirable Experience with Ansible, AWS, OpenWRT, WireGuard and RouterOS.
• Marine communication systems experience (maritime radios, AIS, acoustic communications).
• Experience with networking for autonomous systems (UAVs, robots, mobile platforms).
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2 networking, DDS, or middleware.
• Experience with field deployments and remote operations.

Given the nature of the work, this role requires you to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of UK national security clearance. You must be willing and able to undergo the necessary security vetting process, and continued employment in the role may be subject to maintaining the required clearance. Security vetting will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and standards set by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV). Further information on UK security clearance levels, eligibility, and the vetting process can be found on the UK Government website: United Kingdom Security Vetting.

Applicant Salary: The salary varies for this position as we are recruiting in multiple regional locations and job grades. The salary process is based on skills, abilities, and experience required. What you can expect:

At Ocean Infinity, we believe in creating equal opportunities for all, celebrating each and everyone’s differences. We are driven by transforming the industry, through our technology, thoughts, behaviours and actions. Being inclusive and respectful to all is fundamental to who we are. It is the right thing to do and enables innovation and creativity to thrive. There is more work to be done, and we know that we aren’t perfect, but our commitment to these values is unwavering. They are central to our mission and the impact we have on the industry, meaning, we cannot live without them. Simply put, our mission is to use innovative technology, to transform operations at sea, to enable people and the planet to thrive.