Network Architect

Essential Responsibilities

• Architect, design, implement, and support enterprise LAN, WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, and data center network infrastructure.
• Build greenfield network environments, including IP addressing schemes, VLAN architecture, Layer 2/Layer 3 design, routing, switching, and segmentation.
• Design, configure, and optimize SD-WAN solutions utilizing application-aware routing, QoS, traffic engineering, and high availability.
• Implement and troubleshoot advanced routing and switching technologies including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, VRF, HSRP/VRRP, STP, EtherChannel, and multi-layer switching.
• Deploy and administer Cisco ACI, Cisco Meraki, Juniper, Palo Alto, Azure, AWS, and GCP networking solutions.
• Design and maintain secure network infrastructure including firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, network segmentation, Zero Trust, and access control policies.
• Lead data center network deployments, cloud connectivity, infrastructure refreshes, branch rollouts, and enterprise network transformation projects.
• Perform capacity planning, network performance optimization, root cause analysis, and advanced troubleshooting across Layer 1–7.
• Develop and maintain network documentation including topology diagrams, IP addressing plans, VLAN assignments, routing documentation, and operational procedures.
• Collaborate with vendors, carriers, business stakeholders, and third-party partners to deliver reliable, secure connectivity solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers, establish engineering standards, and provide technical leadership for infrastructure initiatives.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Network Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of enterprise network engineering experience with proven success designing and implementing networks from the ground up.
• Extensive hands-on experience with SD-WAN architecture and deployment.
• Strong experience with Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Cisco Meraki, Cisco ACI, Azure, AWS, and GCP networking.
• Experience designing and supporting enterprise data center and hybrid cloud networking environments.
• Previous leadership or technical lead experience preferred.

Required Technical Skills

• Advanced Routing: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, Static Routing, Route Redistribution, VRF, Policy-Based Routing
• Advanced Switching: VLAN Design, Inter-VLAN Routing, Multi-Layer Switching, STP/RSTP/MSTP, EtherChannel/LACP, HSRP/VRRP
• SD-WAN: Design, deployment, optimization, QoS, WAN failover, application-aware routing, traffic engineering
• Data Center: Cisco ACI, Spine-Leaf architectures, virtualization, high availability
• Cloud Networking: Azure, AWS, GCP, ExpressRoute, Direct Connect, VPN, hybrid connectivity
• Security: Palo Alto Firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, NAC, Zero Trust, network segmentation
• Strong troubleshooting, packet analysis, capacity planning, and network performance optimization skills.

Preferred Certifications

• Cisco CCNP Enterprise or CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
• Juniper JNCIP-ENT or JNCIE-ENT
• Palo Alto PCNSE (preferred)
• Azure Network Engineer Associate or AWS Advanced Networking Specialty (preferred)

Success Metrics

• Network availability exceeding 99.9% (excluding planned maintenance)
• Network packet loss below 2%
• Average network latency below 100 ms
• Successful delivery of enterprise infrastructure projects on time with minimal service disruption
• Secure, scalable, and highly available enterprise network infrastructure supporting business growth.