Sr. Network Architect

Sr. Network ArchitectDPP is seeking a Sr. Network Architect for an opportunity with our client in Columbia, SC.Work location: Onsite in Columbia, SCDuration: 6 monthsTerms: W2 ContractCandidate location: Must be a SC resident or willing to relocate to SC prior to starting the role.Work authorization: Must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident.Position Summary:The Sr. Network Architect will provide advanced engineering expertise necessary to complete critical enterprise networking projects, improve infrastructure resiliency, modernize aging systems, and establish technical standards that support long-term strategic objectives. Provide technical leadership and knowledge transfer to strengthen ongoing operational support capabilities. Occasional remote work is permissible, but the majority of work will take place on site. Serve as the Division's senior technical resource for enterprise network architecture, engineering, modernization, and operational excellence. Working collaboratively with Enterprise Architecture, Network Operations, Information Security, Cloud Services, Facilities Planning, project teams, vendors, and stakeholders, the incumbent will design, implement, and optimize the enterprise networking environment.Responsibilities:Define and advance the long-term technical vision and architecture for the Enterprise Data Network (EDN), translating institutional requirements into scalable, secure, resilient network solutions. Provide architecture and engineering leadership for enterprise LAN, WAN, wireless, data center, cloud, hybrid networking, and network security technologies. Lead complex network infrastructure projects and modernization initiatives that improve reliability, resiliency, scalability, security, and operational efficiency. Develop enterprise network architecture standards, engineering standards, reference architectures, technical roadmaps, lifecycle recommendations, and supporting documentation. Design highly available network infrastructure and connectivity across site, data center, cloud, and external service environments. Advance network automation, orchestration, Infrastructure as Code, and deployment practices that improve consistency, efficiency, and reliability. Develop and improve enterprise monitoring, observability, alerting, analytics, capacity planning, and operational metrics supporting proactive infrastructure management. Provide senior technical leadership for complex infrastructure issues, priority incidents, architecture decisions, and advanced engineering challenges. Coordinate network architecture and engineering initiatives with Network Operations, Information Security, Cloud Services, Physical Network Infrastructure, Facilities Planning, project teams, vendors, contractors, and stakeholders. Evaluate emerging technologies, support technical procurement and vendor evaluations, and provide knowledge transfer and documentation supporting long-term operational sustainability. Design and engineer scalable, resilient, and secure LAN, WAN, wireless, data center, cloud, VPN, firewall, and Network Access Control solutions. Develop and maintain enterprise network architectures, engineering standards, technical roadmaps, network diagrams, and other technical documentation; review and validate network designs and engineering solutions developed by other technical staff. Lead network modernization, lifecycle planning, capacity planning, and remediation of aging or at-risk infrastructure. Serve as a senior technical resource and Tier III escalation point for complex network incidents and engineering issues, performing advanced troubleshooting and providing architecture-level guidance and resolution when required. Provide technical mentoring, knowledge transfer, and engineering guidance to Network Operations and other technical personnel; participate in maintenance windows and after-hours support when required.Required Qualifications: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. Experience with technical documentation, standards development, and architecture diagrams. Project management and enterprise implementation experience. Technical mentoring and knowledge transfer experience. 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.Required Education:Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline or equivalent work experience.Preferred Qualifications: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. 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+Authorized US Worker - US Citizens and those authorized to work in the US are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor at this time.Interested? Learn more: Click the apply button to learn more about this position (#26-01047). DP Professionals (DPP) offers a range of compensation and benefits packages to our employees and their eligible dependents. DPP is a certified Woman-owned Small Business Enterprise (WBE and WOSB) with more than 25 years in the staffing industry. EOE/AA/V/D