Location: Stevenage OR Bristol (hybrid working options available) Duration: 12 month contract Rate: £75ph UMB (Inside IR35) Hybrid working: 1-2 days per week onsite OR the option to consolidate the onsite days into 1 full week per month. Role details: Our client, a leading defence supplier, is looking for a Network and Infrastructure Solutions Architect to join their team on a contract basis. You will operate as part of a team of Solution Architects, within the Information Movement department, with the sole focus of supporting business programmes in achieving the digital transformation needed to meet their contractual and strategic objectives - Whilst also taking into consideration the wider needs and strategies of the business. Responsibilities: Solution Design & Architecture: Lead the design and architecture of end-to-end IT solutions that align with business goals. Translate business requirements into technical specifications and ensure they are aligned with IT infrastructure and system design. Create high-level solution architectures and system design documentation. Oversee the integration of new technologies and solutions with existing systems. Stakeholder Management & Consultation: Work closely with business stakeholders, project managers, and senior leaders to understand project requirements, business needs, and constraints. Provide technical guidance and consulting during all stages of the project lifecycle, from initiation to implementation. Conduct architectural assessments and ensure that solutions adhere to organisational standards. Quality Assurance & Governance: Ensure the designed solutions are scalable, secure, and cost-effective. Lead and participate in the review of solution designs to ensure compliance with security policies, standards, and best practices. Establish architectural principles, standards, and best practices. Collaboration & Leadership: Coordinate and collaborate with developers, engineers, and other IT teams to ensure successful delivery of solutions. Lead and mentor junior architects and technical teams, providing guidance on architecture, design, and implementation. Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends, advising on their potential application to improve business capabilities. Continuously assess and optimise existing systems and architectures for better performance and efficiency. Drive the innovation of IT solutions in alignment with business transformation goals. Documentation & Reporting: Produce clear, concise, and thorough documentation for all designed architectures, models, and technical specifications. Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and issues to senior management and key stakeholders. Skillset/experience required: A broad level of Technical IT knowledge and minimum of 5 years expertise in the areas of; Designing and Deploying a wide variety of Networking and Server Infrastructure Proficiency in designing and implementing large-scale IT infrastructures and enterprise solutions. Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Interested? Apply today via the link provided