Network Architect

SMS Data Products Group, Inc.

$130K — $170K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in network engineering, computer science, or related field.
  • 8+ years of proven network architecture experience in enterprise design.
  • Active CISCO Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification required.
  • Active CompTIA Security+CE certification needed.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills essential.
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% as necessary.
  • DoD Secret security clearance or ability to obtain one required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead development of modernized Base Area Network architectures for NIPR and SIPR networks.
  • Provide technical leadership for network design teams, establishing architecture vision and standards.
  • Develop enterprise-level network architectures that include wired and wireless systems.
  • Design efficient network topologies focusing on performance and scalability.
  • Establish network design standards including routing protocols and traffic engineering.
  • Design modular architectures to support future technology advancements.
  • Perform network capacity planning and ensure designs meet performance metrics.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with primarily remote work options.
  • Opportunity to lead and influence modern network architecture design.
  • Engagement in advanced technology initiatives like Post-Quantum Cryptography and Zero Trust frameworks.
  • Involvement in government compliance and standards which enhances industry credibility.
  • Collaborative work environment with access to technical authorities and design reviews.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Network Architect located in the DC Metro area to lead development of comprehensive modernized base infrastructure for contracted BIM networks, ensuring compliance with all technical requirements, Service Level Agreements and Air Force standards. This position is a hybrid position with most work being remote, with attendance at our headquarter office in McLean, VA and customer locations as needed for meetings, work sessions, etc.

Job Responsibilities
  • Lead development of comprehensive modernized Base Area Network architectures for NIPR and SIPR networks ensuring compliance with all technical requirements, Service Level Agreements, and Air Force standards.
  • Lead development of comprehensive modernized Base Area Network architectures for NIPR and SIPR networks ensuring compliance with all technical requirements, Service Level Agreements, and Air Force standards.
  • Provide authoritative technical leadership for network design team establishing overall architecture vision, standards, and design principles.
  • Develop enterprise-level network architectures addressing wired infrastructure, wireless systems, Outside Plant fiber optic infrastructure, Inside Plant structured cabling, and network security implementations.
  • Design network topologies optimizing performance, redundancy, and scalability while minimizing operational complexity.
  • Establishes network design standards for routing protocols, switching architectures, VLAN implementations, Quality of Service, and traffic engineering.
  • Design modular architectures enabling future interoperability and technology insertions including Post-Quantum Cryptography, Zero Trust implementations, and advanced network authentication controls.
  • Perform network capacity planning and performance modeling validating designs meet Service Level Agreement thresholds.
  • Lead technical design reviews and provides authoritative guidance resolving complex technical challenges.
  • Develop high-level and detailed network topology diagrams in DoDAF format.
  • Ensure designs accommodate Government metric collection tools including SolarWinds, Cisco Prime, Juniper JSpace, and NetScout.
  • Coordinate with Government technical authorities and obtains design approvals.
  • Ensure all design documentation is non-proprietary and transferable to Government.

Qualifications
  • Possesses Bachelor's degree in network engineering, computer science, or related field.
  • Minimum 8 years of network architecture experience with demonstrated expertise in enterprise network design.
  • Must have an active CISCO Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification
  • Must have an active CompTIA Security+CE certification.
  • Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must be willing to travel as needed, approximately 25%
  • Requires a DoD Secret security clearance or the ability to successfully pass a background check and obtain an Interim Secret clearance.

Salary Range - $130,000 - $170,000

Req # 2026-5524

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