Network Architect / Engineer

Is responsible for producing low level network architecture designs for Digital Technology and business product lines, and for the engineering and support of the network estate, ensuring that network standards are defined and met during delivery phases. The postholder sits at the intersection of architecture and engineering, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. Working within the Digital Technology team, the role shapes network strategy, influences technical direction and drives innovation while supporting implementation, troubleshooting complex issues and contributing directly to project delivery across a complex network estate.

• Input into the technical design authority for networking across both infrastructure and business led projects.
• Produce low level network designs, covering IP addressing, VLANs, routing, firewall policy and connectivity, across infrastructure and business led projects.
• Define and maintain network standards, configuration baselines and documentation, and ensure they are followed during build and change.
• Build network proofs of concept as required for the FA roadmap.
• Ensure network designs and projects are aligned with the wider enterprise architecture as part of the IT strategy.
• Identify network opportunities for innovation, resilience and performance improvement based on technical knowledge, best practice and industry trends.
• Act as the point of resolution for third level network and connectivity issues.
• Collaborate with third party suppliers, carriers and partners to implement architectural changes to the network infrastructure.
• Maintain a knowledge base of emerging networking technologies and products, and leverage vendor relationships to increase awareness of networking technology trends and assess their potential benefits to the FA.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to maintain the highest standards of health, safety and well-being, and execute additional tasks as required to meet changing priorities.

• In depth knowledge of enterprise networking, including LAN, WAN/SD-WAN, routing and switching (BGP, OSPF, VLANs and spanning tree).
• Experience in facilitating meetings with project stakeholders to capture requirements.
• Experience of logical and physical design of secure, efficient, resilient network architectures.
• Experience of network security technologies, specifically firewalls, VPN, network segmentation, DDoS mitigation and web application firewalls, and of industry security methodologies.
• Experience of developing and documenting network security policies and procedures.
• Ability to identify risks inherent to technology solutions.
• Understanding of project management methodologies, with the ability to contribute to technical projects.
• Ability to break down technical projects into discrete tasks to assist in the creation of a project plan.
• Good time-management skills and the ability to report progress on projects to a project manager.
• Completion of a DBS check, at the level required by the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

• CCNP/CCIE certification or equivalent.
• Good working knowledge of wired and wireless networking, including wireless LAN design.
• Working knowledge of Azure networking (VNets, ExpressRoute, VPN Gateway, Virtual WAN).
• AZ-700 certification.
• Experience of network automation, monitoring and troubleshooting tools, such as Python, Ansible, packet capture and flow analysis.

• Role based in Wembley with a requirement to be on site two days per week; this may change depending on projects and will be discussed in advance.

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging colleagues to connect and learn and to look after their mental health and well-being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Private medical cover funded by The FA.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave and volunteering days.
• 25 days of annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract).
• A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country, and we actively promote inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.