Network Architect

SUMMARY

- Responsible for high level network planning, design, and optimization.
- Develops strategies and direction for network systems solutions using current and emerging technologies.
- Acts as the subject matter expert in network technology design.
- Defines network architectures and design for the enterprise.
- Works on multiple projects acting as a project leader.
- Works on projects, issues of high complexity that require in depth knowledge of multiple technical areas and business segments.
- May coach and mentor more junior technical staff.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

- Plans, designs, and optimizes high level network solutions.
- Develops strategies and direction for network systems solutions using current and emerging technologies.
- Translates business requirements into network or process designs.
- Plans and recommends network hardware, systems management software and architecture.
- Plans and designs Wireless, Network Security, LAN, WAN and external network data connections.
- Plans and designs network management systems and monitoring systems.
- Assists in the planning and design of IP voice network and PBX systems.
- Approves and modifies network design and architecture to ensure compliance.
- Configures and maintains Routers and Switches for the network systems.
- Performs troubleshooting procedures and designs resolution scripts.
- Evaluates and recommends new products, maintains knowledge of emerging technologies for application to the enterprise.
- Monitors network performance, ensures capacity planning is performed, and is proactive in assessing and making recommendations for improvement.
- Analyzes technical needs, requirements, and state of the network's infrastructure design, integration, and operations.
- Develops implementation plans for all LAN, WAN, voice and external network connections - including organizing vendors and users, network drawings and scheduling.
- May take on role of Project Leader for special enterprise-wide assignments. May coach and mentor more junior technical staff.

SKILLS:

QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor's Degree and at least 8 years of experience in IT Infrastructure/Network environments OR a High School Diploma/GED and at least 12 years of IT experience in Infrastructure/Network.
- At least 6 years of experience performing network planning.
- At least 6 years of experience with network architecture designing, developing, configuring, and implementing enterprise networks with diverse solutions from multiple vendors.
- At least 6 years of experience with network engineering and optimization.
- At least 6 years of experience implementing and managing Cisco powered networks, including QOS, EIGRP, OSPF, IBGP and BGP.
- Experience communicating technical information both verbally (on phone, one-on-one, to groups) and in writing (emails, letters, reports, presentations) to various technical and non-technical audiences (work group, team, company management, prospective acquisitions, external clients).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience developing migration solutions for acquired network.
- Experience with large scale enterprise network switching and routing optimization.
- Knowledge of leading technologies for networking and storage, data center operations and virtualization; server operations and administration, and network security.
- Knowledge of the basics of Cloud Computing architectures and the resulting facilitation of services.
- Knowledge of data center components including, but not limited to, Storage Area Networks (SAN), Network Attached Storage (NAS), Systems Management Tools, Virtualization, Blade-frame architectures, backup systems.
- Experience with Server Platform Technologies (Unix/Linux/Wintel/MVS - HP/Sun/IBM etc.) skills.
- Experience with Datacenter/Server Operational requirements (Monitoring, Management, etc.)
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) certification, provided by Cisco.
- At least 3 years of experience implementing Cisco based Nexus architecture, including OTV.
- At least 3 years of experience implementing Wireless (WiFi) 802.11a/b/g/n technologies with vendors such as Cisco, Motorola.
- At least 2 years of experience implementing load balancing technologies, such as F5.
- At least 2 years of experience implementing network security/VPN/SSL technologies, such as Cisco, Fortinet, and/or Checkpoint.
- Experience with planning and executing datacenter consolidations, relocations, and migrations.
- Experience negotiating with outside vendors, including negotiating contracts, prices, resolving service issues and reconciling differences.