Led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL), announced in October 2022, will give the UK the cutting-edge technology to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of 5G, and grow our brilliant telecoms sector by bringing in new entrants to diversify the supply chain market.

Successful candidates will have a unique experience working on or supporting the latest ground-breaking cyber security and networking technologies on a national and international scale. This opportunity will allow those involved to have first-hand exposure to the latest technologies via the research and development that we are undertaking to secure our telecommunications networks, in order to keep the UK the safest place to live and do business online.

As a trusted and independent national capability, the UKTL will interact at the intersection of standards bodies, such as 3GPP, the National Cyber Security Centre and the wider UK intelligence community, academia, Ofcom, as well as Communications Service Providers and telecommunication equipment vendors.

The Telecoms Network & Security Architect is designed to be an integrated role of Network Architecture and Security Architecture. You will need to help coordinate testing activities in the lab and develop the network and security architecture of the lab. You will also be responsible for designing and managing technical interfaces from the UKTL’s network to other capabilities that may support end-to-end testing of other use cases. The role will require strong relationships both across the organisation, and outside of it with operators and other partners, to drive collaboration and alignment. 

We are working in a hybrid way, with a mix of remote and office working. We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

About You

Key skills and requirements

• Understanding of information systems and end-to-end telecoms networks, covering RAN, 3GPP core, fixed broadband and alternative access networks etc.
• Network design/configuration.
• Threat modelling.
• Containerisation and virtualisation experience.
• Configuration management experience.
• Linux server management experience.
• Carrier networking experience including understanding of BGP, VXLAN, etc.
• Demonstrable knowledge of technical security controls, including their drawbacks.
• Telecommunications industry experience, particularly in infrastructure related projects or test lab environments.
• Technical or platform security experience.
• Experience in designing complex network solutions to improve business outcomes.
• Ability to translate complex requirements into functional architectures.
• Knowledge and understanding of the security architecture, model and implementation used by operators e.g. ISO 27001.
• Relevant professional / academic qualifications or equivalent experience / work based learning (i.e. apprenticeship).

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.

About The Company

Who sets the standards, to ensure that anything that can be measured is done so with consistency and reliability? We do. Through our vital research, the National Physical Laboratory is helping support scientific and commercial innovations, international trade, environmental protection and health and wellbeing.

NPL and BEIS have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled, black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

We’re transforming. As a national laboratory, we’re exploring even more commercial routes to market and that’s presenting us with greater opportunity – for you and us. Our success relies on the diversity and talent of our people, we strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued and supported to excel in their chosen field. This value is at the core of our organisation.

We believe in a culture of fairness by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, background or any other factor irrelevant to a person’s work. At NPL we are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. NPL’s values are at the heart of what we do and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we signed up to the Institute of Physics' Project Juno in 2015 as a Juno Supporter. NPL were proud to be awarded Juno Practitioner status in 2018. NPL also joined Stonewall as a Diversity champion in 2015, participating in their annual Workplace Equality Index for the equality of LGBT+ community at NPL. In 2018, NPL became a member of the Business Disability Forum and joined the disability confident scheme as level 1 committed employer.