Senior Solution Architect - Secure Networks

CDW UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CDW UK is looking for a Senior Network Architect to lead customer engagements in designing and implementing complex network and security solutions. The role demands over 10 years in network architecture, a strong background in enterprise networking, and excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include translating business needs into high-level designs, leading proposals, and ensuring integration of services. Candidates should have experience with cloud solutions and modern security frameworks. This position involves a customer-focused mindset and a willingness to travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Strong experience across enterprise and/or data centre networking.
• Track record of leading technical engagements with clients.
• Experience producing high-quality technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer discovery sessions to capture business requirements.
• Translate customer outcomes into scalable architectures.
• Design secure, scalable network architectures across multiple domains.

Skills

Network architecture

Solution design

Customer engagement

Technical problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

10+ years in network architecture, design, or consulting

Tools

AWS

Azure

Python

Ansible

Terraform

Job description

Job Summary

At CDW, we deliver customer outcomes through deep technical expertise, trusted relationships, and a strong services‑led approach.

The Senior Network Architect operates as a senior presale overlay within the Secure Networks practice, responsible for shaping, designing, and leading complex network and security solutions aligned to customer business outcomes.

This role translates business requirements into high‑level architectures, drives solution strategy across multi‑vendor environments, and leads engagements from early discovery through to proposal and handover to delivery.

Role Overview

• Owning solution architecture for complex customer opportunities
• Leading discovery, design, and proposal activities
• Aligning technology solutions to business outcomes, KPIs, and commercial objectives
• Driving the integration of CDW’s Professional and Managed Services into solution designs
• Supporting revenue growth through high‑value, outcome‑led engagements

What you will do

Customer Engagement & Solution Ownership

• Lead customer discovery sessions to capture business and technical requirements
• Translate customer outcomes into scalable, high‑level architectures
• Act as the technical authority throughout the engagement lifecycle
• Present solutions confidently to technical and non‑technical stakeholders

Architecture & Design

• Produce high‑quality solution proposals and, where necessary, High‑Level Designs (HLDs) aligned to customer requirements
• Design secure, scalable, and resilient network architectures across campus, data centre, WAN, and cloud domains
• Ensure alignment with best practices, vendor‑validated designs, and CDW standards
• Support pricing, sizing, and commercial positioning
• Identify opportunities to enhance solutions with additional services or capabilities
• Contribution to pipeline growth and strategic opportunities

Multi‑Vendor Solution Strategy

• Define optimal technology stacks across networking and security domains
• Assess multiple vendor solutions for compatibility, scalability, and business fit
• Leverage vendor relationships, tools, and resources to validate designs

Services Integration

• Embed Professional and Managed Services into solution designs
• Support scoping and estimation of services aligned to customer outcomes
• Collaborate with delivery teams to ensure smooth transition post‑sale

What we expect of you

Core Experience

• 10+ years in network architecture, design, or consulting roles
• Strong experience across enterprise and/or data centre networking
• Proven track record of leading customer‑facing technical engagements

Technical Expertise

• Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions
• Strong problem‑solving and solution design capability
• Experience producing high‑quality technical documentation (HLDs, proposals)

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Confident presenter to senior stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to influence and build consensus across technical and commercial teams

Commercial Awareness

• Understanding of solution pricing, risk, and commercial positioning
• Ability to align technical design with revenue and margin objectives

Customer‑focused and outcome‑driven

• Strong analytical and decision‑making capability
• Effective collaboration across cross‑functional teams
• High level of accountability and ownership
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Nice to Have

• Experience with Zero Trust architectures and modern security frameworks
• Exposure to cloud networking (AWS, Azure)
• Exposure within observability and AIOps (Splunk, Logic Monitor, Big Panda)
• Experience with automation and AI‑driven operations (Python, NetBox, Ansible, Terraform)
• Relevant certifications (e.g. CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, etc.)
• Working experience with AI within the workplace (Microsoft CoPilot)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel as required (typically up to 25%)

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.