Sr Network Engineer / Architect

Sr Network Engineer / ArchitectLocation: Newark, NJDuration: Contract to HireThe Senior Network Architect's primary responsibility will be to manage all aspects of computer and network systems to ensure a stable, secure, and efficient computer network. This includes developing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all new and existing network hardware, software, and communication links. Additional tasks are to collect operational and trend statistics and to analyze performance results. This position is expected to provide advanced technical support for issues that are escalated from the network and systems teams and is the top escalation point for all critical network related issues; training, mentoring and knowledge transfers to other network team members are also expected.Skills RequiredDay-to-day operational network engineering supportMaintain and upgrade the network infrastructureMonitor and respond to support queuing systems and monitoring/alerting systemsParticipate in ad hoc issues and incident responseProvide support and collaborate on network design and implementationsEnsure network configuration and compliance standards are adhered to, and develop appropriate standards when incomplete, or out of dateSupport and collaborate on the development, implementation and administration of processes and procedures to ensure the reliability, recoverability, and optimum performance of network infrastructure systems and solutionsLeads application issue resolution and change managementDevelops queries and reports to address operating needsDocuments/diagrams functional and technical process flows to ensure optimization and synchronization of systems, including identifying/advising on best applications for specific business processes, including cloud-based systems, intranetEnsures information security protocols and practices are in place to protect unauthorized access and use of corporate data.Perform system installation, integration, validationDevelop ad-hoc or permanent reports as needed for different departmentsDevelop, revise and review SOPs, qualification/validation protocols and reports with ongoing awareness to changes in business or regulatoryDocument incidents and problems and corresponding solutionsProvide support after-hours as needed.Required Qualifications The candidate must have a strong specialized skillset for:Analyze business requirements to develop technical network solutions and technology roadmap.Comfortable documenting and explaining network topologies, understand and diagram existing network diagram, explain and plan for future growth.Ability to engineer, build, and test networks for optimum throughput and reliability. Including security, bandwidth management and capacity planning.Experience maintaining an enterprise-level infrastructure, including fiber optic and wireless technologies.Understanding and implementation of network traffic analysis, remote access methods and systems, stateful inspection firewalls, encryption, authentication and authorization technology.Develop fault isolation, service recovery, incident analysis procedures, including backup, failover and redundancy contingencies.Design and implement network capacity, failure, and intrusion monitoring software systems.Expert with 802.1q VLANs and working within industry best practices.Evaluate and recommend network technology solutions from multiple vendors.Hands-on technical experience working with VPN technologies for remote access clients, and remote facilities.Expert understanding of firewall configuration and maintenance.Expert with configuration, installation, troubleshooting, and supporting of networking equipment Should be able demonstrate hands on skills:IP routing protocols including EIGRP, BGP, OSPF, IP Multicast, MPLSIPv4 knowledge required and IPv6 knowledge a plusIP fundamentals including packet level analysisNetwork infrastructure including LAN, WAN, routing, switching, load-balancing, security.Network VPN protocols GRE, IPSEC, SSL, L2TP, PPTP, SSTPTelephony including, voice and video over IP.Network applications including VoIP, video, encryption, content delivery.Network security including firewalls, proxies, ACL, IPsec, SSL/TLS, IPS/IDSPhysical layer including Ethernet, SONET, T1/T3, Fiber Channel.Application transport and network infrastructure protocols (SSL/TLS, DNS, DHCP, WINS, NTP, FTPs, SMTP, SSH, LDAP, and Microsoft AD), and possess an understanding of how to support these applications / protocols when accessed through VPN and firewall appliances.Hardware experience including Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet products Desired Experience:The requirements for this position are a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or a related field, plus 10 years' hands on experience in areas like but not limited to hosting, storage, network tools and application platforms.Designing, developing, configuring, and implementing enterprise networks with diverse solutions from multiple vendors and providers.The candidate must provide high level network design and implementation skills and combine technical intelligence with communication and presentation abilities.Candidate must be an individual contributor capable of self-directed work showing strong leadership and commutations skills and who is focused on driving the complete network project.Expert level certification (e.g. CCIE, CCNP, CCDP)