Three - Solution Design Lead - SD-WAN

Location: Location Independent Worker 
Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits
Working Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week – Mon to Fri

As a Location Independent Worker, for operational reasons you may be required to perform your duties, either temporarily or permanently, from any of Vodafone's UK offices or customer sites within a reasonable geographic area of your home address. Our "Office in a Box" home working kit will provide you with everything you need, no matter where you are.

Who We Are

We're here to build a network the UK can count on – one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online – we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future's being built – today.

We're creating more than the UK's best network. We're helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress.

We believe that everyone should feel they belong. Whoever you are and whatever your story, there's space for you here. We're building a workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, voices are heard, and everyone feels safe to show up as themselves. 

You'll join a team that genuinely cares – about each other, about our customers, and about the future we're building. From day one, you'll be welcomed, valued and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.

Why VodafoneThree

Join us and you'll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last.

We're not just expanding connectivity; we're reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With £11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country.

You'll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you'll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone.

We move at pace, because what we're building matters – and we're learning as we go. We're proud of the progress we've made, but we're just getting started. 

Join our Vodafone Business Technology Solutions team, where we support businesses of all sizes with world-class technology solutions. We design and develop our Fixed Line solutions, drive efficiency through automation and AI, and implement it all directly with our customers.

What you'll do

As a Solution Design Lead, you will lead the detailed design and development of complex SD-WAN and WAN solutions for customers. This senior, client-facing position owns the low-level SD-WAN design and provides technical leadership to a virtual team of highly skilled professionals.
You will be engaged during the latter stages of the pre-sales cycle to validate solution viability and provide technical assurance. Once delivery begins, you'll ensure compliance with the agreed design through to operational acceptance and the end of the warranty period.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full technical accountability for the detailed design and successful delivery of customer SD-WAN deployments.
• Act as the primary technical lead, working closely with the Programme Manager to provide governance and assurance for all technical components of the solution.
• Low level discovery of existing solution components and owner of the transition from existing to proposed solution.
• Sign off and acceptance of pre-sales High Level Design and statement of requirements on behalf of the Solution Integration team. 

Who you are  

• Proven record of producing enterprise customer SD-WAN low level designs (Fortinet, Cisco, Velocloud).
• In depth understanding of complex customer SD-WAN deployments, and how these integrate with LAN/WAN and cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of networking principles, protocols and products.
• Proven track record for being the Design lead on large scale, complex projects for IT/Telco customer solutions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• In depth knowledge of SD-WAN principles, technologies and products (Fortinet, Cisco Catalyst, Velocloud, Palo Alto).
• In depth knowledge of IP Networking.
• SD-WAN certifications (e.g. Fortinet Certified Professional (NSE 4, NSE 5), Cisco CCNP SD-WAN (ENSDWI), VMware (VCP-SDWAN).
• CCNA / CCNP Enterprise.
• Strong documentation & presentation skills.
• Must be eligible for SC Clearence.

Worried that you don't meet all the desired criteria exactly? 

We know that everyone is unique, with multiple aspects to their identity and different experiences behind them. We are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

What we offer

We care about our people's success by offering great pay, bonuses, up to 28 days off plus bank holidays, and paid time for charity work. You can personalise our benefits for you and your family, like discounts, vouchers, a pension plan and loads more. We help with your career through our amazing learning tools and top-notch parental leave policies.

Need to know

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website ) for guidance. 

We use AI in different parts of our business to boost innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. We know many candidates use AI to fine-tune their CVs or prepare for interviews, but what we really care about is your unique experiences and achievements. 

During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are—your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we're looking for authenticity and can't wait to get to know the real you.

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