Network Architect

Akkodis is seeking a Network Architect for a 12 months contract job with a client in Los Angeles, CA (onsite) . Pay Rate Range: $60 - $65/hr. on w2. or $65 - $70/hr on Corp to Corp. (The pay rate may be negotiable based on experience, education, geographic location, and other factors.) Key Responsibilities We are seeking a Senior L4 Network Engineer / Architect with strong expertise in Cisco SD-WAN architecture, enterprise WAN design, MPLS routing, and fiber-based WAN/LAN integration. This role will be responsible for defining and leading the SD-WAN portion of the solution, including how Cisco SD-WAN will be designed, deployed, integrated, and supported across MPLS, Internet, broadband, LTE/5G, and other WAN transport options. The ideal candidate is a senior technical leader who understands how to build and operate Cisco SD-WAN environments over complex underlays, including MPLS and carrier Ethernet services. While deep MPLS knowledge is important, this role is not limited to traditional MPLS engineering. The primary need is for someone who can define how the SD-WAN overlay should operate, how it integrates with existing WAN and LAN environments, and how it supports routing, segmentation, performance, resiliency, security, and operational requirements. This person must also understand how WAN services physically enter a site, including carrier handoffs, fiber termination, optics, demarcation points, WAN edge routers, firewalls, and LAN aggregation infrastructure. The role requires hands-on technical depth, architectural judgment, troubleshooting discipline, and the ability to guide engineering teams through complex design, implementation, migration, and escalation scenarios. Cisco SD-WAN Architecture and Solution Definition Lead the design and definition of Cisco SD-WAN solutions for enterprise and mission‑critical environments. Develop SD-WAN architectures using MPLS, Internet, broadband, LTE/5G, private-line, and hybrid WAN transport models. Define how Cisco SD-WAN overlays will operate across existing and future WAN underlays. Design SD-WAN control, data, and management plane architecture using Cisco SD-WAN components such as vManage, vBond, vSmart, and Cisco WAN Edge routers. Build and validate SD-WAN policies for application‑aware routing, traffic steering, segmentation, path preference, SLA‑based forwarding, failover, and resiliency. Define transport‑side and service‑side VPN designs, including how WAN edge devices connect into LAN, firewall, data center, and cloud environments. Lead SD-WAN migration planning from legacy WAN or MPLS‑centric environments to modern Cisco SD-WAN architectures. Establish SD-WAN design standards, implementation templates, validation methods, and operational handoff documentation. Cisco SD-WAN Deployment and Operations Configure, deploy, troubleshoot, and support Cisco SD-WAN environments using centralized templates, policies, and device‑level configurations. Support Cisco SD-WAN edge platforms, including Cisco Catalyst 8000/8500, ISR, ASR, and other IOS‑XE SD-WAN‑capable platforms. Troubleshoot SD-WAN control connections, tunnel formation, BFD behavior, policy application, routing advertisements, NAT traversal, certificate issues, and overlay reachability. Validate application performance across multiple WAN transports using routing, SLA, QoS, and performance monitoring tools. Support high‑risk SD-WAN cutovers, site migrations, circuit transitions, and production troubleshooting events. Partner with security, LAN, cloud, voice, application, and carrier teams to ensure SD-WAN designs meet business and technical requirements. WAN, MPLS, and Routing Integration Design and support WAN environments that include MPLS, carrier Ethernet, Internet, broadband, private fiber, and hybrid transport models. Understand how Cisco SD-WAN operates over MPLS underlays, including transport VPN design, routing exchange, path selection, QoS treatment, and failover behavior. Support MPLS-related routing requirements, including L3VPN, L2VPN, VRF segmentation, PE/CE routing, route targets, route distinguishers, and carrier handoff models. WAN/LAN Edge and Physical Handoff Integration Define how WAN services terminate into customer environments, including routers, switches, firewalls, optical handoffs, and LAN aggregation points. Validate WAN/LAN interface designs involving routed handoffs, VLAN tagging, trunking, port channels, VRFs, firewall zones, and segmentation boundaries. Understand how fiber-based services are delivered into a site, including carrier demarcation, cross‑connects, patching, optics, transceivers, and handoff types. High Availability, Resiliency, and Performance Design resilient SD-WAN and WAN architectures using dual circuits, diverse carriers, redundant WAN edge devices, diverse fiber paths, HA designs, and multiple transport types. Use Cisco SD-WAN analytics, packet captures, flow data, SNMP/telemetry, ThousandEyes, router diagnostics, provider test results, and optical test data to isolate and resolve issues. Senior L4 Escalation and Technical Leadership Serve as the senior escalation point for complex Cisco SD-WAN, WAN routing, MPLS integration, carrier handoff, and WAN/LAN edge issues. Lead root‑cause analysis for high‑impact or recurring network incidents. Provide technical direction to L1–L3 engineers, field teams, project managers, vendors, and client stakeholders. Documentation, Standards, and Governance Produce and maintain high‑quality technical documentation, including HLDs, LLDs, SD‑WAN design documents, routing diagrams, WAN topology diagrams, IP addressing plans, implementation plans, test plans, and as‑built documentation. Document Cisco SD‑WAN policies, templates, device roles, transport mappings, VPN designs, routing behavior, and failover logic. Document WAN/LAN handoffs, carrier demarcation points, fiber cross‑connects, optics, port assignments, circuit IDs, and provider escalation information. Create repeatable standards for SD‑WAN deployment, WAN edge integration, circuit validation, migration planning, and operational readiness. Support change management, risk reviews, technical governance, and knowledge transfer activities. Required Qualifications 10+ years of enterprise or service provider network engineering experience, with significant hands‑on responsibility for WAN, routing, and production network environments. Strong hands‑on experience designing, deploying, and troubleshooting Cisco SD‑WAN solutions. Strong understanding of Cisco SD‑WAN architecture, including overlay/underlay design, vManage, vBond, vSmart, WAN edge routing, templates, policies, and centralized management. Experience building Cisco SD‑WAN solutions over MPLS, Internet, broadband, LTE/5G, and hybrid WAN transports. Strong routing expertise with BGP, OSPF, IS‑IS, EIGRP, route redistribution, route filtering, route maps, prefix lists, communities, and policy‑based routing. Working knowledge of MPLS services, including L3VPN, L2VPN, VRFs, PE/CE routing, QoS, and carrier handoff models. Hands‑on experience with Cisco WAN edge and routing platforms such as Cisco Catalyst 8000/8500, ASR, ISR, or equivalent enterprise/service provider platforms. Strong understanding of how WAN circuits physically terminate into customer environments, including carrier handoffs, fiber, optics, routers, switches, firewalls, and LAN aggregation devices. Ability to troubleshoot across multiple layers, including physical fiber, carrier services, routing, SD‑WAN overlays, QoS, firewall integration, and application performance. Experience leading technical cutovers, site migrations, WAN transformations, circuit turn‑ups, and high‑risk maintenance windows. Ability to create clear technical documentation, diagrams, implementation plans, validation plans, and operational handoff materials. Strong communication skills with the ability to explain Cisco SD‑WAN, WAN, routing, and fiber concepts to technical teams, project teams, and client stakeholders. Technical Skills WAN and Routing WAN/LAN and Fiber Integration Tools and Operational Practices If you are interested in this Network Architect job in Los Angeles, CA , then please click APPLY NOW. For other opportunities available at Akkodis go to If you have questions about the position, please contact Vishal Sharma at View email address on click.appcast.io Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, additional voluntary benefits, an EAP program, commuter benefits, and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable. Disclaimer: These benefit offerings do not apply to client-recruited jobs and jobs that are direct hires to a client. 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