Location
Milton Keynes, London (Paddington or Waterloo), or Manchester

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£55,596 - £73,296 (Depending on experience)

About the Role
The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers. Technology continues to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, decision, and solution. As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partners with modern and transformative technology. From day-to-day IT operations that keep a national railway running to extensive delivery programmes reshaping the railway, we are at the forefront of it all.

We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool but a catalyst for progress, especially in an ever-demanding industry where change is constant. This role will provide architectural leadership and technical assurance for the specification, design, build, and deployment into the production platform of telecoms Corporate Services, which could straddle and connect various telecoms areas - Corporate (Office/locations - LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi), Voice, Data Centre, Stations, etc. This platform and service connects all staff to systems and services to allow them to deliver their work.

For example, Corporate (CORP) could include all connection technologies such as Wi-Fi, LAN, WAN within a location, working on how they connect from end devices (laptops, phones, tablets, printers, screens, meeting rooms, etc.) to central platform interfaces (Data Centres, Cloud, etc. for Applications and Services).

The role acts as a technical design authority, consultancy, and assurance on associated technologies for Telecoms Operations. It develops the technical service strategy for Corporate Services to support Telecoms Operations' business strategy. You will lead and champion new technology, services, service delivery, and projects, ensuring current services and operation levels are maintained and improved where possible.

You will drive innovation and a whole life cycle approach addressing business improvement, integration issues, and verify ongoing availability of architecture components through development and management of technology, product, and platform roadmaps for Corporate Services. You will identify and help drive Telecoms Operations' technical roadmap for the Corporate (CORP) Services platform to facilitate provision of in-life "fit-for-purpose" technologies.

The role supports the Telecoms Operations New Technology Introduction (NTI) process by acting as Lead Reviewer for new or changed controlled telecoms products/technologies requiring Network Rail Product Acceptance. You will provide and maintain design principles and architecture guidance for the Corporate Services platform and service offerings.

You will support development of new Corporate Services by approving new service designs and assuring conformity with architecture principles. You will maintain overall Platform Architecture for Corporate Service platforms and recommend improvements to enhance performance and resilience.

Providing technical architecture consultancy to Telecoms Operations design, projects, solution consultants, and customers is key. You will identify and progress opportunities for technical improvements that add value through achievement of 'Simpler, Better, Greener' infrastructure based on current and future requirements.

You will work with suppliers to understand lifecycle of existing and new technologies and the impact of obsolete technologies to support a technical roadmap aligned with Telecoms Asset Policy. Keeping up to date with future product vision, translating desired capabilities/modifications to the platform technology stack, and helping lead strategy and innovation are essential aspects of this role.

Experience
Substantial experience in Corporate/Network Services engineering and operations within a Telecoms environment including LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi/Wireless, IP, MPLS, ACI, SD-WAN, SD-Access, BGP, Cloud (public/private), Internet, DNS, DHCP, Security, Mobile, QoS, etc.
Architect-level technical knowledge of Corporate Service platforms and awareness of protection security architectures and associated platforms.
Significant experience in infrastructure design and delivery of complex networks and services.

About you
Proactive and innovative with the ability to lead architectural design and assurance.
Strong communicator able to provide consultancy and technical leadership.
Committed to driving continuous improvement and innovation.
Ability to work collaboratively with suppliers and internal teams to develop and maintain technology roadmaps.
Passionate about technology as a catalyst for progress in a demanding industry.

Qualifications
Educated to degree standard or equivalent in a technical subject including relevant experience.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of network design and operation supporting Rail or Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
- Familiarity with Corporate management systems, monitoring systems, and planning tools.
- Formal network technical certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, SD-A/SD-WAN, ACI.
- Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2).
- TOGAF, ITIL, or eTOM certifications.
- Experience with Identity Services Engine (ISE), Wireless Controllers (WLC), Digital Network Architecture Centre (DNAC).