Network Architect - Consultant

Job Title: IT - University of South Carolina - Network Architect - Consultant
Job ID: 13297
Client: state of SC
Location: Columbia, SC (Fully On-Site) I. Objective & Background

The Division of Information Technology has an immediate need for highly specialized enterprise network engineering expertise to support critical infrastructure initiatives and ensure operational continuity across the University's enterprise technology environment. This position will provide advanced engineering expertise necessary to complete critical enterprise networking projects, improve infrastructure resiliency, modernize aging systems, and establish technical standards that support the University's long-term strategic objectives.

• Enterprise Network Vision & Architecture: Define and advance the long-term technical vision and architecture for the University's Enterprise Data Network (EDN), translating institutional requirements into scalable, secure, and resilient network solutions.
• Infrastructure Leadership: Provide architecture and engineering leadership for enterprise LAN, WAN, wireless, data center, cloud, hybrid networking, and network security technologies.
• Modernization & Standards: Develop enterprise network architecture standards, engineering standards, reference architectures, technical roadmaps, lifecycle recommendations, and technical documentation.
• Automation & Observability: Advance network automation, orchestration, Infrastructure as Code, and deployment practices while developing enterprise monitoring, observability, alerting, and capacity planning metrics.
• Operational & Tier III Support: Serve as a senior technical resource and Tier III escalation point for complex network incidents, priority incidents, and architecture decisions. Coordinate with Network Operations, Information Security, Cloud Services, and campus stakeholders.
• Procurement & Mentoring: Evaluate emerging technologies, support technical procurements, and provide technical mentoring, knowledge transfer, and engineering guidance to internal staff.

• 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.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent work experience. Candidates must be US Citizens or Legal Residents and SC residents (or willing to relocate at their own expense).

• 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.
• 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.
• Certifications: Juniper Networks Certified Professional (JNCIP-ENT), Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise) or CCIE, Aruba certifications, AWS/Azure network certifications, ITIL Foundation, or CompTIA Security+.