HBITS-08-14915-Network Architect-Expert

Day-to-Day Tasks

• Strategic Network Vision and Roadmap Development
• Define and articulate the long-term vision for the organization's IT/OT network infrastructure, aligning it with transportation system goals, technological advancements, and business objectives.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year network roadmap, identifying key initiatives, technology investments, and migration strategies.
• Conduct thorough assessments of existing network infrastructure, identifying gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Architecture Design and Engineering
• Guide the design and architecture of highly available, secure, and resilient network solutions for diverse transportation systems (e.g., traffic management, ITS, ATMS).
• Create detailed network designs, including logical and physical topologies, IP addressing schemes, routing protocols, and Quality of Service (QoS) policies.
• Design network segmentation strategies to isolate critical OT systems from IT networks, enhancing security and operational integrity.
• Architect solutions for IT/OT convergence, ensuring seamless and secure data exchange between different operational domains.
• Evaluate and select appropriate network hardware, software, and services from various vendors.
• Network Security and Compliance
• Establish and enforce robust network security policies and procedures across both IT and OT environments, adhering to industry’s best practices and regulatory requirements (e.g., NIST).
• Design and implement security controls, including firewalls, Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), VPNs, network access control (NAC), and encryption.
• Conduct regular security risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and penetration testing of network infrastructure.
• Ensure network designs comply with relevant cybersecurity standards and contribute to overall system resilience.
• Support internal and external audits related to network security and compliance.
• Performance Optimization and Reliability
• Ensure the optimal performance, availability, and reliability of all network components and services critical to transportation operations.
• Develop and implement network monitoring strategies, utilizing tools to track performance metrics, identify anomalies, and proactively address potential issues.
• Troubleshoot complex network problems, often under pressure, to minimize downtime and impact on transportation services.
• Design and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans for network infrastructure.
• Technology Evaluation and Innovation
• Stay at the forefront of emerging network technologies and trends relevant to transportation, such as 5G, IoT, AI/ML for network analytics, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and cloud networking.
• Research, evaluate, and pilot new technologies to enhance network capabilities, efficiency, and security.
• Champion innovation and drive the adoption of advanced network solutions that can improve transportation system management and operations.
• Project Leadership and Collaboration
• Guide network-related projects, ensuring successful delivery within scope, budget, and timeline.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including IT operations, OT engineers, system integrators, cybersecurity teams, business teams, and external vendors.
• Provide technical guidance, and mentorship to network engineering teams.
• Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and oversee the implementation of vendor solutions.
• Documentation and Knowledge Management
• Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date network documentation, including architecture diagrams, configuration details, operational procedures, and security policies.
• Develop and deliver technical training and knowledge transfer to relevant personnel.