Network Architect

Role: Network Architect
Location: Bridgewater NJ or Plano, TX
Fulltime – Salary ($150K PA) Don't stop profiles on salary
Indent: PSL308526-15-1

Network Architect should focus on bringing the Best-in-Class Network Services that creates Business Value for our customers, a great personalized service experience for end users and build a work culture of innovation & collaboration to harness the potential of our employees and partners.
Each Network Architect will also collaborate with the track leads and SDMs in the delivery organization and other groups like Presales, Sale within the Organization to ensure that service meets expected levels of service and that continual improvement and service excellence are core to the ways of working. Network Architect should have worked upon Merger and Acquisition projects.
A Good knowledge of broad set of Network services (Routing and Switching (BGP, OSPF, VLANs, VRFs, MPLS), WAN technologies (MPLS, SD-WAN, VPN, QoS, VoIP) and Layer 2/3 network, Firewalls (Palo Alto, FortiGate, and Cisco ASA/FTD).

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead and Support/Guide in RFP, Solution Defense, large scale Transition and Transformation Projects.
• Having UpToDate knowledge of the latest and niche technologies.
• Should have hands on experience on the technologies listed under Technical Skills
• Lead and mentor a team of Network specialists, providing guidance, coaching, and technical expertise.
• Working closely with Presales/Sales team on the opportunities of New and Existing projects.
• Working closely with delivery teams, implement standard best practice in target accounts to deliver consistent service delivery and exception customer satisfaction
• Build strong and lasting relationships with internal and external customers, and key delivery partners by meeting with them on a regular basis to listen to their needs and concerns, to discuss our service roadmaps and evangelise Persistent capability
• Align our Service Delivery process to meet the client business requirements on a continual basis & foster solution innovation to solve client issues
• Reduce the cost of delivery by standardization of Service Delivery processes and technology solutions
• Implement standard governance, reporting and escalation processes across responsible accounts
• Establish service offerings across:
  • Enterprise Networking (LAN/WAN/Data Center)
  • SD-WAN, SDN, Cloud Networking & Network Security
• For assigned projects ensure successful execution of Due Diligence and Transition to BAU
• Coach Track Leads and SMEs in assigned accounts focusing on both technical and management capabilities
• Produce High-Level Designs (HLD) and guide Low-Level Designs (LLD).
• Analyze existing architectures and recommend enhancements.
• Define and enforce architectural standards, patterns, and governance.
• Provide technical leadership throughout project lifecycle.
• Support roadmap creation for network & security evolution.
• Handle escalated network and security issues (Level 3 support).
• Perform root cause analysis for incidents and implement preventive measures.
• Engage with vendors for advanced technical escalations.
• Ensure compliance with security standards and conduct regular audits.
• Monitor and mitigate security threats in real-time.
• Validate and maintain EoL/EoS details along with active hardware support contracts
• Maintain network documentation (e.g., diagrams, policies, IP schema, etc.).
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies for performance and security improvements.
• Maintain up-to-date device configuration backups and IP address inventory using IPAM.
• Document architectural decisions and design justifications.
• Build strong relationships with:
  • CIOs, IT Heads, and leadership stakeholders
• Drive:
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Service improvement plans
• Lead governance meetings:
  • Weekly / Monthly reviews
  • Executive updates

Technical Skills:
Network Infrastructure:

• Design, deploy, and troubleshoot enterprise-level routing and switching (BGP, OSPF, VLANs, VRFs, MPLS).
• Architect and govern high-availability solutions (redundant links, load-balancing, failover).
• Manage WAN technologies (MPLS, SD-WAN, VPN, QoS, VoIP) and Layer 2/3 networks.
• Configure and maintain Catalyst and Nexus switches for data center and enterprise environments including software upgrades (IOS/AOS-CX/NX-OS)
• Perform network audits and assessments ensuring compliance with architectural standards.
• Manage Data Center network technologies like Cisco Nexus, ACI, NSX-T, Load Balancer, Global/Private DNS, Infoblox etc.
• Manage & understanding of Network Monitoring & Observability tools like Solarwind, LogicMonitor, Splunk or Grafana etc.

Firewall Administration:

• Configure and manage Palo Alto, FortiGate, and Cisco ASA/FTD firewalls.
• Implement advanced firewall rules, IPS/IDS, and VPN configurations and manage security logs using management software packages such as Palo Alto Panaroma, FortiManager and/or FortiAnalyzer.
• Implement & troubleshoot the issues on Palo Alto, Panaroma or Strata cloud, Prisma Access etc.
• Optimize firewall performance and perform policy audits.
• Network security modernization initiatives which include understanding the SASE, ZIA, ZPA & ZDX, Palo Alto Prisma Access etc.

Wireless Solutions:

• Deploy and maintain Wireless networks using Cisco WLCs, Meraki Dashboard, Aruba Central and access-points (Must have).
• Implement, configure and operate Cisco Client/Aruba CPPM for secure network access control (NAC).
• Design wireless architectures ensuring scalability, coverage, and security posture.

Cloud Networking:
Expertise in hybrid cloud setups, cloud connectivity (e.g., AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute), and cloud-native networking services across AWS/Azure/GCP, deal with On Prem to cloud migration activities.

Automation:
Knowledge of network automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Python scripting, and related frameworks.

Additional Infrastructure Exposure:

• Understanding of virtualization (VMware), Citrix, M365, compute/storage, backups, datacenter technologies.
• Experience with F5 load balancers.
• Experience with business continuity, disaster recovery, and HA architectures.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Any Graduation
• More than 15 years of experience in Network technology
• Certifications: CCNP, Fortinet NSE 4/5/6/7 (preferred), Aruba ACMP (preferred).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation abilities.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities.