Principal Network Architect

Salary: £78,000 - 91,000 per year

Requirements:

• We need extensive experience designing and governing large-scale IP transport networks within a Tier 1 telecommunications environment.
• We need proven experience defining strategic network architectures and leading complex transformation programmes.
• We need experience producing technical deliverables for carrier network migrations from MPLS to SRv6.
• We need commercial SRv6 architecture experience.
• We need strong knowledge of Segment Routing, IPv6, MPLS or SR-MPLS, and carrier IP transport networks.
• We need experience with High Level Design (HLD), migration strategy, and architecture governance.
• We need strong knowledge of BGP and IS-IS.
• We need technical leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Desirable experience includes Cisco NSO, Cisco Crosswork Network Controller, EVPN/VXLAN, Python, Ansible, NETCONF, REST APIs, YANG/OpenConfig, OSS/BSS integration, TM Forum APIs, network telemetry, Kubernetes, TOGAF, CCIE Service Provider, or JNCIE-SP.

Responsibilities:

• We own the end-to-end architecture for a carrier-grade IP transport network supporting fixed, mobile, enterprise, and cloud services.
• We define the target SRv6 architecture to ensure the platform is scalable, resilient, and automation-ready.
• We produce High Level Design documentation and architectural standards to support engineering delivery.
• We develop the migration strategy for transitioning from legacy MPLS technologies to SRv6 with minimal operational risk.
• We assess Cisco NSO and Cisco Crosswork capabilities for orchestration, automation, and lifecycle management.
• We define underlay network requirements to support future overlay services and transport capabilities.
• We produce architecture blueprints for integration with OSS/BSS platforms and northbound APIs.
• We work collaboratively with engineering, operations, product management, and vendors throughout the programme lifecycle.
• We provide architectural governance, technical leadership, and design assurance across all phases of delivery.
• We champion automation-first principles and modern network engineering best practice.

Technologies:

• Ansible
• Architect
• Cloud
• Cisco
• Support
• Kubernetes
• MPLS
• Mobile
• Network
• OSS
• Python
• REST
• TOGAF
• OpenStack
• VMware
• Web

More:

We are recruiting a contract Principal Network Architect / SRv6 Architect for a leading Tier 1 telecommunications provider. This is a hybrid role based in Berkshire, working with a national carrier network transformation programme on a contract for services basis, outside IR35, with a minimum duration of 24 months. We are looking for someone to help shape the future architecture of a next-generation IP transport network, moving from legacy MPLS to a highly automated SRv6-based platform supporting fixed, mobile, enterprise, cloud, and data centre services. You will work alongside architecture, engineering, operations, and technology partners in a cross-functional, multi-vendor environment.

last updated 31 week of 2026