Network Architect

Job Title : Network Architect

Location: Columbia SC

Duration: Long term

Job Type : Contract (We can consider - W2)

Interview process: 2 rounds virtual + In Person

Responsibilities:

Required Skills (rank in order of Importance):

• 4+ years of experience with enterprise network architecture and engineering within complex, mission-critical environments.
• 4+ years of experience with LAN/WAN technologies, including Juniper enterprise routing and switching, TCP/IP, enterprise routing protocols, DNS, DHCP, and IPAM.
• 4+ years of experience leading complex network architecture and engineering initiatives from requirements and design through implementation, troubleshooting, and operational transition.
• 4+ years of experience with enterprise infrastructure modernization, lifecycle planning, capacity planning, resiliency, and high-availability design.
• 4+ years of experience with network security architecture and technologies, including Fortinet firewalls and VPN/SASE technologies, Network Access Control (NAC), segmentation, and security policy implementation.
• 4+ years of experience with cloud and hybrid networking, including AWS or Microsoft Azure.
• 4+ years of experience with network automation, orchestration, scripting, and Infrastructure as Code concepts and technologies.
• 4+ years of experience with enterprise network monitoring, observability, analytics, metrics, and performance management.

Preferred Skills (rank in order of Importance):

• Experience developing enterprise network strategy, architecture standards, reference architectures, and long-term technology roadmaps.
• Experience supporting network architecture and engineering in a complex higher education environment, including academic, research, administrative, and other diverse institutional technology requirements.
• Experience with Aruba and Cisco enterprise switching and wireless technologies, including software-defined and centrally managed network architectures.
• Experience implementing enterprise observability, telemetry, automation, and proactive or self-healing infrastructure capabilities.
• Experience with virtualization, cloud networking, and hybrid cloud infrastructure.
• Experience coordinating infrastructure projects with facilities organizations, architects, contractors, consultants, and external engineering firms.
• Experience supporting enterprise cybersecurity, zero-trust, segmentation, and secure network architecture initiatives.

Required Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Education/Certifications:

• Juniper Networks Certified Professional Enterprise Routing and Switching (JNCIP-ENT) or higher.
• Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) or higher certification relevant to network security, firewalls, or secure networking.
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).
• Aruba networking certification relevant to enterprise switching, wireless, or network architecture.
• AWS or Microsoft Azure certification relevant to advanced networking or cloud network architecture.
• ITIL Foundation or higher.
• CompTIA Security+

Additional Skills:

• Technical documentation, standards development, and architecture diagrams.
• Project management and enterprise implementation experience.
• Technical mentoring and knowledge transfer.
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and customer service skills.
• Advanced troubleshooting and technical leadership during complex or mission-critical network incidents.
• Strong technical communication, documentation, stakeholder coordination, vendor management, and knowledge-transfer skills.
• Demonstrated project leadership experience coordinating complex technical initiatives across multiple teams, stakeholders, vendors, and organizational units.