Senior Network Architect

CornerStone Technology Talent Services is seeking an accomplished Enterprise Network Architect to design, modernize, and support complex network environments across multiple data centers and client locations. This is a highly visible technical leadership role for an architect who can translate business and operational requirements into secure, scalable, resilient network solutions. The ideal candidate combines deep hands‑on networking expertise with strong consulting, documentation, and stakeholder communication skills. You will lead network architecture decisions, establish technical standards, develop infrastructure roadmaps, and guide major implementations from initial requirements through operational transition. You will also serve as a senior escalation resource while mentoring network operations teams and improving the long‑term supportability of the environment. What You Will Do Lead technical discovery and architecture discussions for enterprise LAN, WAN, data center, and network security initiatives. Partner with business leaders, technical teams, and client stakeholders to define requirements and design solutions that align with performance, availability, security, integration, and budget objectives. Develop high‑level and detailed network architecture designs for new implementations, infrastructure modernization, refresh initiatives, migrations, and expansions. Evaluate the impact of proposed solutions on existing infrastructure, applications, systems, security controls, and operational support models. Provide architecture recommendations covering design, technology selection, standards, implementation, operations, maintenance, and lifecycle management. Present architecture options with clearly documented costs, risks, benefits, limitations, dependencies, and proof‑of‑concept results. Establish and maintain enterprise network architecture standards, reference designs, diagrams, configuration guidelines, and operational runbooks. Develop multi‑year technology roadmaps addressing capacity, resiliency, scalability, end‑of‑life infrastructure, technical debt, operational efficiency, and cost optimization. Research emerging network technologies and assess their potential value, risk, compatibility, and business impact. Plan network infrastructure implementations, including technical sequencing, resource requirements, dependencies, testing, rollback procedures, and operational readiness. Collaborate with engineering, infrastructure, security, cloud, storage, server, application, and operations teams to deliver integrated solutions. Transition completed solutions to network operations teams through documentation, knowledge transfer, training, and mentoring. Serve as a senior escalation point for complex network performance, availability, routing, connectivity, and infrastructure issues. Support root‑cause analysis and recommend long‑term corrective actions for recurring or high‑impact incidents. Promote automation, standardization, observability, and repeatable engineering practices across the network environment. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience. 10 or more years of progressive experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network infrastructure. At least 3 years of experience functioning in a network architect, infrastructure architect, or comparable technical leadership role. Advanced expertise with enterprise routing protocols, including BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP. Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, MPLS, QoS, network segmentation, high availability, redundancy, and traffic management. Extensive experience with enterprise routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and network management platforms. Strong experience with Cisco networking technologies and NX-OS. Experience designing and supporting network connectivity across multiple data centers and geographically distributed environments. Demonstrated knowledge of network security principles, firewall architecture, secure connectivity, access controls, and infrastructure hardening. Proven ability to produce architecture diagrams, technical standards, implementation plans, decision documents, and operational runbooks. Experience evaluating technical alternatives and presenting recommendations to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders. Strong troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis skills across complex, integrated infrastructure environments. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, consulting, and stakeholder‑management skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Visio, Word, Excel, Outlook, and related documentation tools. Preferred Qualifications Cisco Certified Network Professional certification or an advanced Cisco networking certification. Experience with storage networking technologies, including iSCSI and Fibre Channel. Familiarity with server, platform, backup, cloud, or hybrid infrastructure architecture. Experience supporting regulated, highly available, or security‑sensitive environments. Financial services, banking, credit union, insurance, or payment‑processing industry experience. Experience with software‑defined networking, cloud connectivity, network automation, infrastructure as code, or modern network observability platforms. Familiarity with zero‑trust architecture, secure access service edge, software‑defined WAN, and next‑generation firewall technologies. What Success Looks Like Successful candidates will bring more than strong network engineering skills. They will be able to establish a long‑term architectural direction, influence technology decisions, and create solutions that network operations teams can support effectively. You should be comfortable moving between strategy and execution - from presenting a multi‑year infrastructure roadmap to reviewing routing designs, troubleshooting a critical issue, or leading an implementation readiness session. Why Work With CornerStone Technology Talent Services CornerStone Technology Talent Services connects experienced technology professionals with organizations investing in modernization, infrastructure reliability, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Our team provides clear communication, knowledgeable representation, and ongoing support throughout the hiring and assignment process. We focus on aligning each professional’s technical background, career objectives, and preferred working environment with opportunities where their expertise can make a meaningful impact. CornerStone Staffing is an equal opportunity employer. Employment may be subject to applicable pre‑employment screening requirements. #J-18808-Ljbffr