WAN Architect

WAN Architect - DV Cleared Location: Corsham / Hybrid, with travel to other MOD sites as required Clearance: Active DV clearance required Contract: 6 Months Rate: Circa 700pd DOE (Inside IR35) We are looking for an experienced WAN Architect to support a major Defence programme within a large-scale Fixed Networks environment. You will provide technical leadership and architectural assurance across enterprise WAN services, working closely with Defence Digital, Managed Service Providers, technical authorities and third-party suppliers. This is primarily an architecture, design assurance and technical governance role , rather than a hands-on network engineering position. You will be responsible for challenging supplier designs, supporting service transition and helping shape the ongoing modernisation of complex, secure network services. Key Responsibilities Provide architecture and design assurance across large-scale WAN services. Review and challenge HLDs, LLDs, RFCs, Impact Assessments and supplier technical proposals . Ensure WAN designs are secure, supportable and aligned with Defence Digital standards and technical strategy. Support Technical Design Authorities and architecture governance forums. Provide architectural input into service transition, onboarding, testing and go-live activities. Work with MSPs and third-party suppliers to resolve technical risks and design issues. Review technology lifecycle and obsolescence plans and support future replacement strategies. Identify opportunities to modernise and optimise WAN services. Assess emerging technologies including SD-WAN, SDN, cloud connectivity, secure remote access, network automation and monitoring . Act as a technical escalation point for WAN architecture and assurance issues. Communicate technical risks, recommendations and design decisions to senior technical and non-technical stakeholders. Essential Experience We are looking for strong experience across: En