Sopra Steria
Senior Network Architect (Cisco)

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Are you a Senior Network Engineer looking to take the next step into a Senior Network Architect role and develop your architecture skills while working on complex, secure environments?
At Sopra Steria Aerospace, Defence and Security (ADS), you'll work on secure, business-critical projects that help protect and support some of the UK's most important organisations.
Joining a collaborative team of networking specialists, you'll have the opportunity to influence technical solutions, develop your architecture skills, and work with leading Cisco technologies in complex environments.
This role would suit someone with a strong networking background who enjoys solving technical challenges, understanding customer requirements, and helping shape solutions from concept through to delivery.
You'll work alongside Solution Leads, Project Managers, and engineering teams to develop secure, resilient network solutions while supporting the successful delivery of projects.
We offer flexible working where possible, particularly during the early stages of projects, although regular onsite attendance will be required in Salisbury or Portsmouth due to the nature of the work.
What you'll be doing:
- Create and implement end-to-end network solutions and technical designs.
- Support solution design activities across project work packages.
- Align technical solutions with security requirements, architectural standards, and business objectives.
- Identify and mitigate Information Assurance risks and recommend improvements to existing and proposed solutions.
- Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to Network Engineers and project teams.
- Support the successful delivery of projects throughout the solution lifecycle.
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I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
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Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
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You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
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What you'll bring:
- Strong experience with Cisco networking technologies including switching, routing, firewalls, and wireless networking.
- Experience translating technical and business requirements into networking solutions and designs.
- Strong understanding of Internet Protocol networking, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, Domain Name System, and Virtual Routing and Forwarding.
- Knowledge of network orchestration, automation, and Software Defined Networking concepts.
- Experience leading technical workstreams and providing technical guidance within project environments.
- Knowledge of Microsoft technologies including Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange, SharePoint, and Group Policy.
It would be great if you had:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification.
- Experience with automation technologies such as Ansible, Python, Terraform, or PowerShell.
- Familiarity with industry-standard frameworks including PRINCE2 and TOGAF.
- Experience with Cisco Unified Communications and Asterisk PABX.
- Familiarity with Security Information and Event Management platforms and network security technologies.
- Knowledge of endpoint management and cloud platforms including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and Amazon Web Services.


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If you're interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we're looking for, please do apply, we'd love to hear from you!
Employment Type
Full-time, Permanent.
Location
Salisbury or Portsmouth with flexible working arrangements.
Security Clearance Level
Security Check (SC) clearance with eligibility and willingness to achieve Developed Vetting (DV).
Internal Recruiter
Paul Kitchen
Salary
Competitive, based on experience.
Benefits
£5,400 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.
About Sopra Steria ADS
At Sopra Steria, Aerospace, Defence and Security (ADS) is trusted to deliver secure, mission-critical services that help our customers overcome complex operational and technology challenges. Working across defence, government, and secure environments, we combine deep technical expertise with innovative thinking to deliver solutions that make a real difference.
Our people are central to our success. We invest in learning and development, support career progression, and provide opportunities to work on meaningful projects using leading technologies. Whether you're looking to expand your design experience or develop into a network architecture career path, ADS offers the opportunity to grow your skills while helping our customers achieve their goals.
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