Senior Technical Architect - Networks

Job summary

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Our Digital and Data technology team are at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide the best in-class solutions for our customers, helping to shape and support a data-driven future for the UK government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they are on hand to support. Now, you’ve got the opportunity to join them.

Providing innovation to government partners.

Delivering best-in-class solutions.

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters.

Built secure connectivity that safeguards sensitive operations

As a Senior Technical Architect – Networks, you’ll design secure, scalable network solutions across a range of environments, turning complex requirements into clear, high-quality designs the team can follow. No two days are the same here. One moment you’ll be working with colleagues to apply established architectural standards and patterns, the next you’ll be producing detailed design artefacts or helping shape technical roadmaps that support the future of high-performing network services.

Supporting delivery and technical assurance will also be your responsibility. You’ll work closely with engineers, product teams and stakeholders to make sure that the solutions remain robust and in line with the agreed strategy. But your biggest strength will be collaboration, where you’ll mentor colleagues and share your expertise with Service Owners, Product Owners and delivery teams. And last but by no means the least, you’ll also identify and manage risks while also maintaining continuous learning to make sure network services adapt as we do.

Balance performance and security where the stakes are high

You bring strong experience in network architecture, which is backed by either a relevant degree or equivalent hands-on experience and recognised certifications such as CCNP or similar. You’re comfortable turning complex business and security requirements into scalable network designs that work in practice. And you’ve shaped modern connectivity across on-prem, hybrid and multi-cloud environments, effortlessly balancing performance with cost. Your confidence in producing high-quality designs and governing complex solutions will help you thrive here, along with your solid grasp of modern approaches such as automation, zero trust and cloud-native networking.

Being a technical expert excites you. You enjoy guiding others and working closely with senior stakeholders, contributing to governance conversations. You’re also a natural at giving calm and evidence-based advice when it matters, bringing experience in secure or regulated settings and an understanding of government security principles and standards. Your curiosity helps you stay close to emerging technologies and evolving threats, using that insight to shape resilient architecture and support continuous improvement across the wider technology community.

Discover the support you need to grow your career

Working with us, you’ll help keep people, information, and assets safe around the world. It’s a role you can feel proud of, and we aim to make every part of your career just as rewarding. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do and all you need.

All our employees have to be security cleared to the highest level, so you’ll need to undergo a comprehensive vetting process before joining. We have a number of roles within Technical architecture, some of these roles require SC and some will require DV vetting. You can find out more about both vetting types on our website. And if you have a specific preference, you can outline this on your application form. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

We are looking for people with:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or Telecommunications.
• Holds or is willing to work towards recognised qualifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, Agile Project Management, PRINCE2, or equivalent experience.
• You will ideally hold professional certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualisation (VCP-NV), Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE), Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience designing and governing secure networks using VMware (private cloud), Microsoft on-premise, and multi-cloud (Azure and/or AWS) technologies.
• Led scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient LAN, WAN, and hybrid cloud network designs.
• Translate business/security requirements into secure, efficient, and cost-effective designs.
• Experience in reviewing and assuring complex solutions and authored concise and high quality high and low-level designs (conceptual, logical, and physical architecture layers) using the TOGAF framework.
• Demonstrable expertise in network automation, provisioning, and orchestration.
• Experience line managing technical architects, providing direction, and professional development to build capability and technical excellence across functions.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge in designing secure or air-gapped platforms within the government sector.
• Knowledge of NCSC, GDS, and UK government security frameworks, including Secure by Design, Cloud Security Principles, Government Functional Standards, and the Technology Code of Practice.
• Design knowledge of modern practices such as zero trust architecture and network automation.
• Designing cloud-native networking within Microsoft Azure/AWS (Azure VNet/AWS VPC).
• You will have deep technical knowledge across physical and logical network architectures, including Cisco (ACI, ASA, Firepower (NGFW), ASR, Catalyst, and Nexus), VMware NSX, and Palo Alto Firewalls.

Qualifications

Degree or equivalent significant experience in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or Telecommunications.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Degree or equivalent significant experience in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or Telecommunications.
• Proven experience designing and governing secure physical networks and virtual networks using VMware (private cloud),and multi-cloud (Azure and/or AWS) technologies.
• Led development of scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient LAN, WAN, and hybrid cloud network designs
• Experience of providing clear, evidence-based technical guidance to technical and non-technical stakeholders and translate business/security requirements into secure, efficient, and cost-effective designs.
• Experience in reviewing and assuring complex solutions and authored concise and high quality high and low-level designs (conceptual, logical, and physical architecture layers)
• Holds or is willing to work towards recognised qualifications such as TOGAF or ITIL and equivalent relevant technical certification

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Degree or equivalent significant experience in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or Telecommunications.
• Proven experience designing and governing secure physical networks and virtual networks using VMware (private cloud),and multi-cloud (Azure and/or AWS) technologies.
• Experience of providing clear, evidence-based technical guidance to technical and non-technical stakeholders and translate business/security requirements into secure, efficient, and cost-effective designs.
• Experience in reviewing and assuring complex solutions and authored concise and high quality high and low-level designs (conceptual, logical, and physical architecture layers)
• Holds or is willing to work towards recognised qualifications such as TOGAF or ITIL and equivalent relevant technical certification

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,739, FCDO Services contributes £17,596 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension.
• Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details
• career history with key responsibilities
• achievements
• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a Face-to-Face Interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours and present a short presentation.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : FCDO Services Recruitment Team
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

Attachments

Candidate pack Senior Technical Architect - Networks Opens in new window (pdf, 1848kB)