Network Infrastructure Architect

Job TitleRoles and ResponsibilitiesMulti-Level Technical Support: Provide technical support in defining, developing, and evaluating network products to meet client needs.Application Recoverability: Identify, plan, and execute initiatives to improve application recoverability.Network Assessment: Evaluate the network infrastructure of the acquired or divested business to gain a comprehensive understanding of its design, components, and security measures.Provisioning Network Services: Coordinate the provisioning of network services and provide support for network infrastructure and services.Network Security: Manage the application of network security policies to new development.Testing and Upgrades: Participate in testing, upgrades, and configuration of network systems and services.Operating Procedures: Evaluate and ensure that changes are in accordance with appropriate operating procedures. Recommend revisions or changes based on results to maintain network efficiency and compliance.System Integrity: Manage hygiene activities and updates of support packages/patches to maintain system integrity.Capacity Planning: Assist in capacity planning by providing support for the implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of storage infrastructure and services.Infrastructure Security: Act as an Infrastructure Security Architect or Subject Matter Expert (SME) for network infrastructures.Network Optimization: Identify opportunities to optimize the network infrastructure and improve performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency.Network Monitoring: Monitor the network infrastructure and associated processes to ensure they are running smoothly and efficiently.Troubleshooting: Investigate and resolve problems identified through monitoring software or reported by users.Operations and Maintenance: Provide operations and maintenance support for the Enterprise Network environment.Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are critical for diagnosing and resolving complex network issues, optimizing network performance, and making informed decisions about network architecture and security.Leadership and Guidance: Provide leadership and work guidance to less experienced personnel. This includes mentoring and supervising junior staff members and helping them develop their skills.QualificationEducation: A bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is typically required.Certifications: Industry certifications related to switching, routing, and security are essential - Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification or equivalent certifications.Experience: 15+ years of experience in network architecture and management, including specific experience in handling acquisitions and divestitures.Hardware Proficiency: Hands-on experience with a variety of networking hardware, including routers and switches (Cisco, Arista & Brocade), firewalls (Palo Alto), load balancers (F5, Brocade), AWS networking, and wireless solutions (Aruba).Scripting and Coding: Strong hands-on coding/scripting experience in one or more programming languages such as Python, Golang, Java, and Bash. This coding expertise is valuable for automating network tasks and developing custom solutions.Networking Technologies: In-depth knowledge of a wide range of networking technologies, including routing protocols (BGP, EIGRP, OSPF), VRFs, VLANs, VRRP, LACP, MLAG, TACACS, Rancid, GIT, IPSec VPN, DNS, DHCP, NAT, SNAT, IP Multicast, VPC, Transit Gateway, NAT Gateway, ALB/ELB, security groups, ACL, HSRP, VRRP, SNMP, and DHCP.Vendor Management: Experience in managing hardware and coordinating with vendors and partners for support, ensuring the network infrastructure is well-maintained.Advanced Technologies: Proficiency in managing Content Delivery Networks (CDN), various types of links, VPN technologies, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), and Network Function Virtualization (NFV).Compliance and Regulatory Considerations: Ability to review technology designs and architecture while considering local and regional regulatory requirements, especially in areas related to Voice, Video Solutions, Routing, Switching, VPN, LAN, WAN, Network Security, Firewalls, NGFW, NAT, IPS, Botnet, Application Control, DDoS, and Web Filtering.Security Tools: Experience with Palo Alto Firewall, Panorama, and tools/technology standards like NetBrain for daily support, enhancing performance, and improving reliability. This includes expertise in managing security aspects like intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and DDoS protection.Network Documentation: Creating and maintaining a real-time contextual living map of the client's network with detailed network specifications, including diagrams and equipment configurations adhering to defined standards.Reliability Enhancement: Implementing measures to improve the reliability of network services, including identifying and eliminating Single Points of Failure (SPOFs) proactively.Security Incident Response: Capturing critical forensic data and providing complete visibility across the enterprise to respond to security incidents promptly, using tools like NetBrain.