Rate: £550-£595 per day Outside IR35
Location: Reading & London (onsite for first two weeks, 1-2 days per month for remainder)
Duration: 6 months initially, open to extend
Start date: ASAP
We are seeking a skilled Mobile Packet Core Data Architect to support a range of RFP (Request for Proposal) initiatives and ongoing architecture/project delivery workstreams. This role will focus on authoring technical documentation, supporting vendor assessments, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement high-level architecture aligned with business and technical objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
PHASE 1
New RFP Initiatives:
* Coordinate and facilitate sessions with stakeholders to review and refine technical requirements.
* Compile RFP requirements and author target architecture documentation packs.
Ongoing and Future RFP Support:
* Develop vendor solution matrices, conduct infrastructure compatibility assessments, and perform gap analyses.
* Analyse vendor compliance submissions; validate technical compliance and identify discrepancies or critical gaps.
* Track and document vendor non-compliance issues, technical limitations, and potential showstoppers.
* Collaborate with stakeholders to consolidate and finalize technical scoring.
* Draft final technical evaluation reports for peer and stakeholder review.
* Maintain oversight of contract statuses, schedules, and milestone tracking.
* Review and summarize final hardware/software dimensioning and Bill of Materials.
* Support in compiling Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) assessments for vendor comparisons.
PHASE 2
Architecture & Project Support
* Provide technical consultation and contribute to the authoring of High-Level Design (HLD) documents in collaboration with stakeholders such as Architects, Strategy, Testing, and Business Analysis teams.
* Support ongoing projects to ensure timely delivery of key architectural milestones and manage issue resolution or escalation.
* Review stakeholder deliverables including Business Requirement Documents, Test Strategies, HLDs, and Detailed Designs.
* Facilitate and participate in solution design workshops and architecture review calls.
* Assist in developing and reviewing multi-year planning (3YP) storyboards in collaboration with design authorities.
Required Skills and Experience:
* Extensive experience in Mobile Packet Core architecture and design.
* Strong understanding of RFP processes, vendor evaluation, and solution assessment.
* Proven ability to author high-quality architectural and technical documentation.
* Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
* Experience working across multi-disciplinary teams and managing stakeholder relationships.
* Familiarity with cost modelling, dimensioning, and bill of materials creation.
* Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable:
* Experience with 5G/4G Core Network technologies and associated infrastructures.
* Understanding of Total Cost of Ownership modelling and strategic vendor comparison.
* Background in telecom network architecture and technical compliance assessment.