Network Architect

Network ArchitectLocation: Columbia, SC 29210Duration: 6+ Months (Onsite Role)Provide technical and project leadership for enterprise network architecture, advanced engineering, modernization, and infrastructure implementation initiatives, including hands-on engineering when required.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.Analyze institutional, business, and technical requirements and translate them into enterprise network designs and implementation strategies.Lead network modernization, lifecycle planning, capacity planning, and remediation of aging or at-risk infrastructure.Develop and implement monitoring, observability, automation, orchestration, and operational metrics to proactively assess and improve enterprise network health, capacity, performance, and operational efficiency.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.Coordinate architecture and engineering activities with Network Operations, Information Security, Physical Network Infrastructure, Facilities Planning, project teams, contractors, consultants, vendors, and other stakeholders.Evaluate emerging technologies and solutions and provide technical recommendations supporting procurement, investment, and long-term infrastructure planning.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 Skills: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.Preferred Skills: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.Preferred Education/Certifications: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.