Network architect

Find out what a network architect in government does and the skills you need to do the role at each level.

Last updated 31 May 2024 — See all updates

Contents

• — What a network architect does
• — Network architect role levels
• — 1. Associate network architect
• — 2. Network architect
• — 3. Lead network architect
• — Roles that share network architect skills

What a network architect does

A network architect is responsible for network designs and specifications, including cloud networks.

Network architect role levels

There are 3 network architect role levels, from associate network architect to lead network architect.

The typical responsibilities and skills for each role level are described in the sections below. You can use this to identify the skills you need to progress in your career, or simply to learn more about each role in the Government Digital and Data profession.

1. Associate network architect

An associate network architect works with network architects on designs and specifications, with guidance.

At this role level, you will:

• be aware and knowledgeable of new technology solutions and produce network design policy
• draft recommendations for network support, creating and maintaining network plans and planning infrastructure runs
• ensure designs meet SLAs (service level agreements) and develop an understanding of common tools
• have an understanding of one or two of the following network technologies: LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), wifi, data centre LAN, SD (software-defined) networks, telephony, mobile solutions infrastructure, unified comms, network management solutions, network specific security and remote access technologies and approaches
• collaborate with engineers to ensure systems are practically designed

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

• EO (Executive Officer)
• HEO (Higher Executive Officer)

Skill	Description
Governance and assurance Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand technical governance participate in the assurance of a service
IT infrastructure (network architect) Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: build, configure, administer and support infrastructure technologies and solutions. These technologies and solutions can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS)
Systems design Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: translate logical designs into physical designs produce detailed designs effectively document all work using required standards, methods and tools, including prototyping tools where appropriate design systems characterised by managed levels of risk, manageable business and technical complexity, and meaningful impact work with well understood technology and identify appropriate patterns
Systems integration (network architect) Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show familiarity with the principles of integration and how they should be incorporated within the design of solutions
Technical understanding Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show an awareness of the relevant subject matter and a high level understanding of what it involves
Troubleshooting and problem resolution Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities

2. Network architect

A network architect has responsibility for network designs and specifications to support business strategies using common tools.

At this role level, you will:

• research new technologies and solutions, and ensure appropriate levels of assurance
• plan, direct and co-ordinate activities, engaging with other stakeholders to manage and implement a programme
• agree SLAs (service level agreements) and engage with third party vendors
• have an understanding of most of the following network technologies: LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), wifi, data-centre LAN, SD (software-defined) networks, telephony, mobile solutions infrastructure, unified comms, network management solutions, network-specific security and remote access technologies and approaches
• coach and mentor associate network architects where appropriate
• collaborate with engineers to ensure systems are practically designed

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

• HEO (Higher Executive Officer)
• SEO (Senior Executive Officer)

Skill	Description
Governance and assurance Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: evolve and define governance take responsibility for working with and supporting other staff in wider governance assure services across sets of services use tools such as standards, guardrails and principles to effectively govern delivery
IT infrastructure (network architect) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: create, design and implement infrastructure technologies, solutions and services. These can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS)
Systems design Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity select appropriate design standards, methods and tools, and ensure they are applied effectively review the systems designs of others to ensure the selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and technology
Systems integration (network architect) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: create the design of network services within a team requiring moderate to complex service integration
Technical understanding Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show a thorough understanding of the technical concepts required for the role, and can explain how these fit into the wider technical landscape
Troubleshooting and problem resolution Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities

3. Lead network architect

A lead network architect is accountable for designs and networks representing their business area.

At this role level, you will:

• be a point of escalation
• actively input into governance forums that determine IT strategy
• cascade messages, standards and best practice from other architecture teams and design authorities to the network architecture team
• act as a subject matter expert for network architects
• represent network architects internally and externally
• have an understanding of all network technology including LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), wifi, data centre LAN, SD (software-defined) networks, telephony, mobile solutions infrastructure, unified comms, network management solutions, and network specific security and remote access technologies and approaches
• champion new technologies and solutions
• coach and mentor network architects and associate network architects
• be a strategic thinker who can communicate network concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

• SEO (Senior Executive Officer)
• G7 (Grade 7)

Skill	Description
Governance and assurance Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand how technical governance works with wider governance (such as budget) assure corporate services by understanding important risks and mitigating them through assurance mechanisms
IT infrastructure (network architect) Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: lead teams and departments in the design, implementation, administration and support of infrastructure solutions and services
Systems design Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: design systems characterised by high levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity control system design practice within an enterprise or industry architecture influence industry-based models for the development of new technology applications develop effective implementation and procurement strategies, consistent with business needs ensure adherence to relevant technical strategies, policies, standards and practices
Systems integration (network architect) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: create the design of network services within a team requiring moderate to complex service integration
Technical understanding Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: anticipate and advise on future technology changes that present opportunities for the product or programme
Troubleshooting and problem resolution Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities

Roles that share network architect skills

Role	Shared skills
Infrastructure engineer	Systems design Technical understanding Troubleshooting and problem resolution
Application operations engineer	Technical understanding
Business relationship manager	Technical understanding
Change and release manager	Technical understanding
Command and control centre manager	Technical understanding

Updates

Published 7 January 2020

Last updated 31 May 2024