WAN Architect

Experis - ManpowerGroup; Corsham; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Experis - ManpowerGroup seeks an experienced WAN Architect to support a Defence programme in a large fixed-network environment. You will provide architectural leadership, assurance, and governance across enterprise WAN services, interfacing with Defence Digital, MSPs, and suppliers.

Role emphasizes architecture, design assurance, and technical governance over hands-on engineering, with a focus on challenging designs and guiding service transition.

Qualifications

• We are looking for strong experience across enterprise-scale WAN architecture and design.
• Experience with MPLS, IP networking and routing, and SD-WAN/SDN.
• Background in network security, secure remote access, and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Provide architecture and design assurance across large-scale WAN services.
• Review and challenge HLDs, LLDs, RFCs, impact assessments and supplier proposals.
• Ensure WAN designs are secure, supportable and aligned with standards.
• Support TBull Technical Design Authorities and governance forums.
• Provide input into service transition, onboarding, testing and go-live.

Skills

WAN architecture

MPLS/IP networking

SD-WAN/SDN

Network security architecture

Secure remote access

Fixed network infrastructure

Network monitoring

HLD/LLD review

Service transition

MSP assurance

Secure enterprise environment

Job description

WAN Architect - DV Cleared

Location: Corsham / Hybrid, with travel to other MOD sites as required
Clearance: Active DV clearance required
Contract: 6 Months
Rate: Circa £700pd DOE (Inside IR35)

We are looking for an experienced WAN Architect to support a major Defence programme within a large-scale Fixed Networks environment.

You will provide technical leadership and architectural assurance across enterprise WAN services, working closely with Defence Digital, Managed Service Providers, technical authorities and third-party suppliers.

This is primarily an architecture, design assurance and technical governance role, rather than a hands‑on network engineering position. You will be responsible for challenging supplier designs, supporting service transition and helping shape the ongoing modernisation of complex, secure network services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide architecture and design assurance across large-scale WAN services.
• Review and challenge HLDs, LLDs, RFCs, Impact Assessments and supplier technical proposals.
• Ensure WAN designs are secure, supportable and aligned with Defence Digital standards and technical strategy.
• Support Technical Design Authorities and architecture governance forums.
• Provide architectural input into service transition, onboarding, testing and go-live activities.
• Work with MSPs and third‑party suppliers to resolve technical risks and design issues.
• Review technology lifecycle and obsolescence plans and support future replacement strategies.
• Identify opportunities to modernise and optimise WAN services.
• Assess emerging technologies including SD-WAN, SDN, cloud connectivity, secure remote access, network automation and monitoring.
• Act as a technical escalation point for WAN architecture and assurance issues.
• Communicate technical risks, recommendations and design decisions to senior technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Essential Experience

We are looking for strong experience across:

• Enterprise‑scale WAN architecture and design
• MPLS, IP networking and routing
• SD-WAN / SDN
• Network security architecture
• Secure remote access
• Telecommunications and fixed network infrastructure
• Network monitoring and management
• Reviewing and assuring HLD and LLD documentation
• Service transition and operational support requirements
• Supplier and MSP technical assurance
• Working within secure, regulated or complex enterprise environments

Previous MOD / Defence Digital experience would be highly advantageous, particularly experience of technical governance, TDAs, security assurance and Defence network environments.

Qualifications such as CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, TOGAF, ITIL or CISSP would also be beneficial.

Candidates must hold active DV clearance.