Mobile Packet Core Data Architect (Outside IR35)

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.