Network Architect

Network Architect – SC Cleared Location: Bristol | 2–3 days per week onsite Rate: £700–£750 per day | Outside IR35 Duration: 1st July - 30th Sept with likely extension options Exceed Cyber is supporting a leading security consultancy with the appointment of an experienced SC Cleared Network Architect to support a high-profile defence programme. This role will suit someone with a strong network architecture background who is comfortable advising across complex, secure environments. You’ll be working across multiple projects, providing technical architecture guidance, producing architecture artefacts, and supporting secure design decisions across enterprise and operational technology environments. Key responsibilities: * Provide network architecture advice and guidance across multiple workstreams and projects. * Design, review and assure network architectures within secure government/defence environments. * Produce and maintain architecture artefacts, including high-level designs, low-level designs, diagrams, patterns and technical documentation. * Support secure-by-design principles across network and infrastructure solutions. * Advise on network security controls, segmentation, resilience, connectivity and integration requirements. * Work closely with project teams, security architects, engineers and stakeholders to ensure solutions are robust, secure and fit for purpose. Key experience required: * Active SC clearance. * Strong background in network architecture within complex enterprise or secure environments. * Experience working with network security, including segmentation, firewalls, secure connectivity, routing/switching and infrastructure security principles. * Familiarity with Operational Technology environments and the Purdue Model. * Ability to produce clear, structured architecture documentation and technical artefacts. * Experience supporting government, defence, critical national infrastructure or similarly regulated environments would be highly beneficial