Network Architect

Job#: 3046250 Job Description: Network Architect Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado Onsite Requirement: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote Duration: Long-term contract with potential for extension/conversion Compensation: $70-$85/hr Role Overview As a Network Architect, you will be responsible for the strategic design, planning, and security of the organization's network infrastructure. You will act as the networking subject matter expert, defining the roadmap, strategy, and validating designs. This role requires a hands-on approach, including logging into systems, performing configurations, and serving as the escalation point for complex issues. Key Responsibilities - * Be hands-on by logging into systems, performing configurations, and troubleshooting directly. * Own networking across the entire environment, including firewalls, load balancers, routing/switching, data centers, and cloud networking. - Lead the design and development of network architectures, roadmaps, and technical specifications for enterprise-level networks, encompassing on-premise data centers and hybrid cloud environments. - Serve as the subject matter expert for all network-related technologies, providing technical leadership and guidance to engineering and operations teams. - Evaluate, recommend, and integrate new technologies such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) to improve network agility and efficiency. - Design and implement robust network security solutions, including the configuration of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and other security fabric components. - Manage network segmentation and isolation strategies to protect sensitive data and critical systems. - Design and manage network load-balancing solutions to ensure high availability and optimal performance. - Oversee the implementation of routing and switching protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP) to ensure network stability, performance, and scalability. - Ensure the design of secure interconnectivity between on-premise infrastructure, cloud services (e.g., AWS, GCP), and remote access points. Required Qualifications Experience: - 10+ years of progressive experience in network engineering, with at least 5 years in a network architect role designing complex, enterprise-level networks. - Extensive enterprise data center and cloud networking background. - Deep, hands-on experience with Cisco and firewalls. - Strong hybrid and public cloud networking expertise, specifically with AWS VPC networking and GCP networking. - Experience with data center design patterns such as spine/leaf. - Focus on core/backbone infrastructure rather than end-user or corporate IT. Technical Skills: - Expert-level knowledge with routing and switching protocols and configuration (e.g., Cisco, Juniper). - Extensive experience with network security technologies, including firewalls (e.g., Palo Alto, Check Point), IDS/IPS, and VPNs. - Proven experience in architecting and implementing secure solutions for on-premise and cloud (IaaS/PaaS) environments. - Strong knowledge of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) principles and practical experience with SDN technologies. - Expertise in designing and managing load-balancing systems for high-traffic applications. Education: - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Preferred Qualifications - Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, AWS Certified Advanced Networking, Azure Network Engineer Associate) are desirable. Real-world ownership and hands-on production work are more important than certifications alone. - Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Ape , you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here {rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"} for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at {rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"} Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide. Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems. VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request Priority Protected Veteran & Disabled Referrals for all of our locations within the state.