Network Engineer/Architect

Network Architect (Contract-to-Hire)

Location: Atlanta, GA (Hybrid – Mon/Tue/Thu Onsite) Compensation: $140,000 – $170,000 (Upon conversion) Position Type: Contract-to-Hire

Position Overview: Our client is seeking a high-level Network Architect / Senior Network Engineer to serve as a cornerstone for our enterprise infrastructure. Reporting to the IT leadership team, this individual will take full ownership of our data center networks in Atlanta and Dallas, as well as our expansive retail footprint. This is a high-visibility role requiring a "player-coach" mindset—someone capable of driving long-term architectural strategy while remaining hands-on in complex troubleshooting and engineering. You will be the senior-most technical resource for a lean, high-impact team, leading critical projects and evaluating future-state technologies through active Proof of Concepts (POCs).

Core Responsibilities:

• Architectural Leadership: Lead design, engineering, and architectural decisions for enterprise-wide network infrastructure, ensuring scalability and high availability.
• Data Center Ownership: Support and optimize core routing and switching across dual data centers (Atlanta and Dallas), primarily utilizing Cisco Catalyst 9K series hardware.
• SD-WAN Strategy: Evaluate, implement, and support SD-WAN solutions. You will lead the current POC environment (Aruba HPE) while managing existing Palo Alto ION and Cisco SD-WAN infrastructures.
• Retail Network Management: Oversee a distributed hub-and-spoke architecture across a national retail footprint, utilizing Meraki AP stacks and ensuring seamless site connectivity.
• Failover & Redundancy: Design and execute robust failover architectures, specifically leveraging 5G and Cradlepoint backup circuits to ensure zero-downtime retail operations.
• Cloud Integration: Troubleshoot and optimize complex routing and traffic flows between on-premises environments and Azure cloud instances.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for project-based initiatives while providing guidance and mentorship to the engineering team.

Required Qualifications:

• Architectural Experience: 10+ years of experience in network engineering with at least 3+ years in a Lead or Architect-level capacity.
• Cisco Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in Cisco routing and switching, specifically with the Catalyst 9K series.
• Enterprise Scale: Proven track record managing multi-site network environments (Data Centers + 50+ distributed locations).
• SD-WAN Proficiency: Hands-on experience with at least one major SD-WAN platform (Palo Alto ION, Aruba HPE, Cisco, or Fortinet).
• Network Design: Deep understanding of Hub-and-Spoke models, traffic engineering, and core infrastructure redundancy.
• Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to operate independently, taking full ownership of problems from identification through resolution.

Preferred Skills & Exposure:

• Azure Networking: Experience troubleshooting cloud-based routing and traffic flow integration.
• Retail Environments: Prior experience managing distributed networks with high-density wireless (Meraki).
• Technology Evaluation: Experience leading or participating in technology Proof of Concepts (POCs) and vendor evaluations.
• Cradlepoint/5G: Hands-on experience with cellular backup integration and failover testing.