Senior Network Solution Design Engineer

Vallum Associates; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vallum Associates seeks a senior network architect to design and validate enterprise data-center networking for hybrid-cloud environments. You will prototype and automate designs across lab environments, PoCs, and production deployments.

Key responsibilities include embedding IaC principles, creating reference architectures, and collaborating with platform, cloud, security, and application teams to translate requirements into scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in enterprise data-center networking: routing, switching, resiliency, segmentation.
• Proven ability to design hybrid-cloud and private cloud networking architectures.
• Strong knowledge of Kubernetes networking concepts, including CNI architectures.
• Solid understanding of cloud-native networking: service networking, ingress/egress, load balancing.
• Experience with cloud connectivity solutions: AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, Google Interconnect, Megaport.

Responsibilities

• Deliver network solution designs for data centers, private and public clouds.
• Prototype and validate designs through labs, PoCs, and automation-driven implementations.
• Embed automation into network designs and IaC principles.
• Define and evolve reference architectures, standards, design patterns for hybrid-cloud networking.
• Collaborate with platform, cloud, security, and application teams to translate requirements into scalable solutions.
• Produce clear design documentation and participate in architecture reviews.
• Evaluate emerging networking, cloud, and automation technologies.

Skills

Data-center networking

Hybrid-cloud design

Kubernetes networking

Cloud connectivity

Automation/IaC

BGP expertise

Job description

• Deliver network solution designs supporting enterprise data centers, private cloud platforms, and public cloud environments
• Build, prototype, and validate network solution designs through hands‑on engineering, lab environments, proofs of concept, and automation-driven implementations
• Define and evolve reference architectures, standards, and design patterns for hybrid‑cloud and cloud‑native networking
• Embed automation and Infrastructure as Code principles into network solution designs
• Anchor modern application platform designs in proven data‑center networking fundamentals, including L2/L3 networking, routing, segmentation, EVPN/VXLAN fabrics, and high availability design principles
• Partner with platform, cloud, security, and application teams to translate requirements into scalable network solutions
• Produce clear, decision‑oriented design documentation and participate in design and architecture review forums
• Evaluate emerging networking, cloud, and automation tech

Required Skills and Experience

Technical Skills:

• Deep experience in enterprise data‑center networking, including routing, switching, resiliency, and segmentation
• Proven ability to design hybrid‑cloud and private cloud networking architectures
• Strong knowledge of Kubernetes networking concepts, including CNI architectures and capabilities
• Solid understanding of cloud‑native networking concepts, including service networking, ingress/egress models, and load balancing
• Experience designing and supporting cloud connectivity solutions leveraging AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, Google Cloud Interconnect, Equinix Fabric and Megaport
• Understanding of routing, redundancy, and resiliency patterns for private cloud‑to‑public cloud connectivity
• In‑depth knowledge of BGP, including data‑center implementations, traffic engineering, and its role in cloud‑native environments (Kubernetes) and cloud connectivity implementations
• Experience designing networks with automation and programmability in mind
• Ability to evaluate trade‑offs across scale, security, availability, and operational complexity