Network Architect

About the role

We are seeking a Network Architect located in the DC Metro area to lead development of comprehensive modernized base infrastructure for contracted BIM networks, ensuring compliance with all technical requirements, Service Level Agreements and Air Force standards. This is a hybrid position with most work remote, requiring attendance at the headquarters office in McLean, VA and customer locations as needed for meetings and work sessions. Since 1976, SMS has specialized in modernizing legacy IT and sustaining complex enterprise environments for federal agencies, investing in employees with training, tools, and support to keep critical missions operational, improve performance, and reduce risk. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of comprehensive modernized Base Area Network architectures for NIPR and SIPR networks ensuring compliance with all technical requirements, Service Level Agreements, and Air Force standards.
• Provide authoritative technical leadership for network design team establishing overall architecture vision, standards, and design principles.
• Develop enterprise-level network architectures addressing wired infrastructure, wireless systems, Outside Plant fiber optic infrastructure, Inside Plant structured cabling, and network security implementations.
• Design network topologies optimizing performance, redundancy, and scalability while minimizing operational complexity.
• Establish network design standards for routing protocols, switching architectures, VLAN implementations, Quality of Service, and traffic engineering.
• Design modular architectures enabling future interoperability and technology insertions including Post-Quantum Cryptography, Zero Trust implementations, and advanced network authentication controls.
• Perform network capacity planning and performance modeling validating designs meet Service Level Agreement thresholds.
• Lead technical design reviews and provide authoritative guidance resolving complex technical challenges.
• Develop high-level and detailed network topology diagrams in DoDAF format.
• Ensure designs accommodate Government metric collection tools including SolarWinds, Cisco Prime, Juniper JSpace, and NetScout.
• Coordinate with Government technical authorities and obtain design approvals.
• Ensure all design documentation is non-proprietary and transferable to Government.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in network engineering, computer science, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of network architecture experience with demonstrated expertise in enterprise network design.
• Active CISCO Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification.
• Active CompTIA Security+CE certification.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed, approximately 25%.
• Requires a DoD Secret security clearance or the ability to successfully pass a background check and obtain an Interim Secret clearance.

Pay

Salary Range - $130,000 - $170,000