Our client now has an exciting opening in their team for a Lead Network Architect to join their design engineering team. They have adopted a flexible working policy which allows you to work remotely for the majority of the time, although you'll be required to work out of their clients office 1-2 days per month, in Manchester.

This is a 6-month rolling contract (OUTSIDE IR35).

Principal responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership for the team and their allocated tasks, delivering safety through design, to programme ensuring the required governance is applied and approving as responsible engineer for small to medium sized projects where allocated
• Ensure the team achieves successful delivery of network designs and bids including network architectural design description documents, network architecture diagrams, IP addressing/subnetting design, cable schedules, diversity plans and configurations
• Ensure the team delivery incorporates the required specifications, network security architecture and designs
• Manage customer requirements and production of system requirements and proposals
• Presenting the network design architecture to the project and the customer
• Provide leadership, technical support and mentorship to team members
• Develop associated test specifications, provide support for onsite build and test, and support for integration & system testing

Key skills/experience required:

• Degree level qualification in relevant engineering discipline or other numerate subject or equivalent experience
• A demonstrable experience of Network Communication Systems and Architectures, especially LAN/WAN architectures and network security. Associated expereince with SISS and control systems/SCADA networks in a safety related environment is a bonus
• Established knowledge of the systems engineering life-cycle
• Demonstrable experience of working to industry quality and safety standards
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to communicate technical solutions at all levels.
• Able to work to tight timescales
• Cisco certified, or at working level, to CCNA or above with extensive applicable experience
• Chartered engineer (desirable)
• IRSE License (desirable)
• Experience in at least one of the following technologies: Software Defined Networking, virtualisation, data centre, network automation (desirable)
• Experience in UK railway operational telecoms design, standards and delivery processes. (desirable)
• Demonstrable knowledge of railway systems: SCADA, Signalling, Radio, M&E, Station Information and Security Systems, electronic security. (desirable)