Solutions Architect

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. 

About the role:

• Provide technical leadership and solution architecture across customer opportunities, from initial discovery through solution design, proposal and transition into delivery
• Lead customer workshops to understand business, technical and operational requirements and translate these into appropriate solution architectures
• Design secure, resilient and scalable Network and Security solutions, with a primary focus on Cisco and Palo Alto technologies
• Develop solutions covering Enterprise Networking, SD-WAN, SDA, SASE/SSE, LAN, Wireless, Network Access Control and Cyber Security
• Support broader Hybrid Cloud opportunities spanning Cloud, Hyperconverged Infrastructure, Compute, Storage, Backup and associated networking/security
• Produce and review solution documentation including high-level designs, statements of work, bills of materials, assumptions, risks and technical proposals
• Provide technical input into bids, tenders, customer presentations and vendor engagements
• Work collaboratively with Sales, Pre-Sales, Delivery, Managed Services, vendors and technology partners to develop commercially viable solutions
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, particularly AI and its application across networking, security, infrastructure and managed services

• Strong enterprise networking architecture and design experience, ideally across the Cisco portfolio
• Strong knowledge of Cisco technologies including Catalyst Switching/Wireless, SD-WAN, SDA, ISE and associated management platforms
• Good understanding of modern SASE/SSE and Zero Trust architectures
• Strong Palo Alto Networks knowledge, including Next-Generation Firewalls and ideally Prisma Access / SASE technologies
• Good understanding of enterprise security principles including segmentation, identity-based access, remote access, firewalling and secure network architecture
• Broad infrastructure knowledge covering Hyperconverged Infrastructure, virtualisation, compute, enterprise storage and backup technologies
• Good understanding of Public and Hybrid Cloud architectures, particularly Microsoft Azure and AWS
• Ability to understand dependencies between Network, Security, Cloud and Infrastructure and design solutions holistically rather than within individual technology silos
• Experience developing HLDs, technical proposals, BoMs and Statements of Work and presenting solutions to technical and senior customer stakeholders
• Strong customer-facing consulting, discovery and communication skills with the ability to translate business requirements into technical outcomes
• Relevant Cisco and/or Palo Alto certifications desirable; equivalent demonstrable experience equally valued
• Understanding of AI technologies and their emerging application within enterprise IT, networking, security and operations would be advantageous

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life.  In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: 

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. 
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.  We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. 
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. 

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.