Head of Network Engineering & Architecture

PSD Group; Ulster; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

PSD Group is seeking a Head of Network Engineering & Architecture to lead a team of engineers delivering SD-WAN, WAN, and security focused network design and build initiatives. You will shape strategy, governance, and project roadmaps.

You will collaborate with stakeholders, manage budgets, and drive Agile/DevOps practices, ensuring quality, documentation, and talent development across the network portfolio.

Qualifications

• Deep SD-WAN expertise with architecture design and trade-offs.
• Experience leading architecture and build teams, not just delivery.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the future of networks using modern technology.
• Lead budgeting, planning, and delivery of the network portfolio.
• Monitor progress and manage risks to keep projects on track.
• Coordinate cross-functional engineers (WAN, SD-WAN, SSE).
• Promote Agile and DevOps practices (CI/CD, automation).
• Ensure QA processes meet standards and customer expectations.
• Develop documentation and ensure knowledge transfer.
• Lead, coach and develop team members.

Skills

SD-WAN

Leadership

Program management

Architectural governance

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Versa

Cisco/Viptela

Fortinet

Job description

Network Architecture / Network Engineering / Design and Build / SD-WAN / WAN / CISCO / Vertas / Fortinet

As the Head of Network Engineering & Architecture, you have not only technical network and architect skills but also strong people and managerial skills, giving you the ability to lead your team with a shared vision, to provide it with a clear work organization and to keep control on your projects progress and risks.

What You'll Do:

• Prepare the future of networks, ensuring the use of efficient and modern technology.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and define project scope and timeline, providing regular updates and gathering feedback for continuous improvement.
• Lead the engineering budgeting, planning, execution, and delivery of the portfolio, managing projects and ensuring they align with strategic goals.
• Monitor project progress, identifying and addressing issues or risks to keep the project on track.
• Foster a collaborative environment by coordinating cross-functional team engineers (WAN, SD-WAN, SSE…)
• Implement and promote best practices in Agile methodologies and a DevOps mindset (e.g. CI / CD, automation).
• Ensure thorough quality assurance processes are in place to meet product standards and customer expectations.
• Ensure proper life cycle of current solutions and address technical debt.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all project phases, ensuring knowledge transfer and continuity.
• Manage performance, develop talent and keep skilled staff motivated.
• Lead, mentor and coach your team members to foster knowledge sharing, growth, learning, accountability and team spirit.
• Report on the progress of the network portfolio initiatives and projects
• Act as product owner for your area, manage a backlog and prioritise initiatives to improve key metrics.
• Lead and manage selection and maintenance of infrastructure vendors and partners to support the organisation's goals.

What we are looking for:

• Deep SD-WAN expertise (mandatory) - Proven hands‑on experience with technologies such as Versa, Cisco/Viptela, Fortinet, including architecture design and trade-offs.
• Engineering leadership (not operations) - Experience leading architecture and build teams, not service delivery or support.
• Structured execution mindset - Ability to define roadmaps, standards, and engineering governance.
• Program / portfolio management - Proven track record managing complex multi-stream programs with clear prioritisation and tracking.
• Strong communication discipline - Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and in a structured way (executive-level).
• Transformation experience - Led network modernisation (SD-WAN, SASE, cloud connectivity) in complex environments.

If this opportunity sounds of interest and you have the required technical and managerial experience within Network and Architecture, please submit your cv for consideration.