Network Architect

Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado
Onsite requirement: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote
Duration: Long-term contract with potential for extension or conversion
Compensation: $70–$85/hour

About the role

As a Network Architect, you will be responsible for the strategic design, planning, and security of the organization’s network infrastructure. You will act as the networking subject-matter expert, defining the roadmap, strategy, and validating designs. This role requires a hands-on approach, including logging into systems, performing configurations, and serving as the escalation point for complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Be hands-on by logging into systems, performing configurations, and troubleshooting directly.
• Own networking across the entire environment, including firewalls, load balancers, routing/switching, data centers, and cloud networking.
• Lead the design and development of network architectures, roadmaps, and technical specifications for enterprise-level networks, encompassing on-premise data centers and hybrid cloud environments.
• Serve as the subject-matter expert for all network-related technologies, providing technical leadership and guidance to engineering and operations teams.
• Evaluate, recommend, and integrate new technologies such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) to improve network agility and efficiency.
• Design and implement robust network security solutions, including the configuration of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and other security fabric components.
• Manage network segmentation and isolation strategies to protect sensitive data and critical systems.
• Design and manage network load-balancing solutions to ensure high availability and optimal performance.
• Oversee the implementation of routing and switching protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP) to ensure network stability, performance, and scalability.
• Ensure the design of secure interconnectivity between on-premise infrastructure, cloud services (e.g., AWS, GCP), and remote access points.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in network engineering, with at least 5 years in a network architect role designing complex, enterprise-level networks.
• Extensive enterprise data center and cloud networking background.
• Deep, hands-on experience with Cisco and firewalls.
• Strong hybrid and public cloud networking expertise, specifically with AWS VPC networking and GCP networking.
• Experience with data center design patterns such as spine/leaf.
• Focus on core/backbone infrastructure rather than end-user or corporate IT.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

Skills

• Expert-level knowledge of routing and switching protocols and configuration (e.g., Cisco, Juniper).
• Extensive experience with network security technologies, including firewalls (e.g., Palo Alto, Check Point), IDS/IPS, and VPNs.
• Proven experience in architecting and implementing secure solutions for on-premise and cloud (IaaS/PaaS) environments.
• Strong knowledge of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) principles and practical experience with SDN technologies.
• Expertise in designing and managing load-balancing systems for high-traffic applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, AWS Certified Advanced Networking, Azure Network Engineer Associate) are desirable. Real-world ownership and hands-on production work are more important than certifications alone.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Supplemental medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) and 401K with company match after 12 months of tenure.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) on the HDHP plan.
• SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions.
• Corporate discount savings program and other discounts.
• On-demand training program and access to certification prep, technical and leadership courses/books/seminars after 6+ months of tenure.
• Certification discounts and association perks (e.g., CompTIA, IIBA).
• Dedicated customer service team and certified Career Coach.