Senior Wireless Network Architect

Position: Senior Wireless Network Architect

Start Date: ASAP

Duration: 6 Month Contract

Location: UK - Remote

Rate: £500 - £595 per day outside of IR35

Reference: 20895

We are seeking an experienced Wireless Network Architect to support a major enterprise wireless infrastructure transformation. The assignment will focus on the modernisation of an established Cisco-based wireless environment, requiring deep technical expertise across wireless architecture, RF planning, controller migration and deployment delivery.

The successful consultant will work alongside the existing technology vendor, providing independent technical oversight, validating proposed designs and ensuring that implementation decisions meet the required operational and performance standards.

This is a hands-on architecture role combining technical leadership, engineering delivery and stakeholder engagement. The individual will take ownership of wireless design assurance, RF survey interpretation and remediation recommendations, while coordinating a small team of network specialists throughout the delivery lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide independent technical assurance of proposed wireless architectures, challenging design decisions and recommending alternatives where required.
• Interpret predictive and active RF survey results using Ekahau AI, translating technical findings into practical deployment, access point placement and remediation recommendations.
• Prepare detailed wireless design documentation, survey assessment reports and technical recommendations.
• Develop and implement resilient Cisco wireless architectures using Catalyst 9800 wireless LAN controllers in a high-availability configuration.
• Lead the migration from legacy AireOS-based controllers to the Catalyst 9800 platform, including migration planning, sequencing, testing and controlled implementation.
• Define wireless configuration standards covering FlexConnect, RF profiles, SSIDs and access point deployment across complex and high-density locations.
• Utilise Cisco Catalyst Centre to support wireless provisioning, commissioning, monitoring and ongoing operational management.
• Design and validate Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) integration, including 802.1X authentication and associated access control workflows.
• Coordinate and provide technical direction to a team of wireless and network engineers, taking responsibility for technical quality and delivery progress.
• Work closely with client stakeholders and technology suppliers to resolve technical issues, manage deployment risks and coordinate user migration activities.
• Support delivery within a controlled enterprise change environment, including change approval boards, scheduled maintenance windows and formal implementation procedures.
• Contribute directly to configuration, troubleshooting and engineering activities where necessary to maintain delivery momentum.

Essential Skills and Experience

Must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Cisco Catalyst 9800: Strong hands-on experience configuring, designing and deploying paired wireless LAN controllers in production environments.
• Legacy controller migration: Direct experience migrating from Cisco AireOS 5508 controllers to Catalyst 9800. This is a critical requirement.
• Ekahau AI: Practical experience interpreting RF survey outputs and converting survey findings into clear design and deployment decisions.
• FlexConnect: Detailed knowledge of the architecture, traffic forwarding behaviour and configuration in enterprise wireless environments.
• Cisco Catalyst Centre: Experience supporting wireless provisioning, commissioning and ongoing operational management.
• Cisco ISE: Experience designing wireless authentication integrations, particularly 802.1X-based access control.
• Architecture assurance: The technical confidence to independently assess proposed designs, identify weaknesses and defend recommendations in discussions with vendors and engineering teams.
• Technical leadership: Experience coordinating engineers and overseeing the delivery of complex wireless implementations.
• Stakeholder management: Strong communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, resolve issues under pressure and provide clear technical updates.
• Change and release management: Experience delivering infrastructure changes within formal approval processes and controlled maintenance windows.

Desirable Experience

• CCNP Wireless or CCIE Wireless certification.
• Experience delivering wireless infrastructure programmes within financial services or similarly complex, highly regulated organisations.
• Broader knowledge of enterprise routing and switching technologies.
• Familiarity with structured infrastructure transformation programmes, implementation governance and operational handover.

Networking People (UK) is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.