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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

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
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

31 May 2024

  • The indicative job grades for the 'associate network architect' role level have been updated from 'AO and HEO' to 'EO and HEO'. This change is based on the latest data on the most common grades for these role levels across government.

31 July 2023

  • Network architect was moved to the new architecture role group.

30 August 2022

  • The ‘specific security technology and understanding’ skill has been renamed ‘security technology’ to ensure consistency across the DDaT Profession Capability Framework.

7 January 2020

  • First published.