PRINCIPAL NETWORK ARCHITECT
This position's daily responsibility will be REMOTE but candidates need to be located near Little Rock, AR OR Chicago, IL for onsite visits as needed.PURPOSE: The Principal Network Architect is responsible for the technical design, delivery, and quality of complex network projects to support Ascend's Professional Services team and its clients. This is a hands-on-keyboard role: the architect still works projects directly while also serving as technical lead for network engagements - shaping solutions before the deal is signed, guiding engineers through delivery, and setting the standards that make our network work consistent and reliable.
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Stay hands-on-keyboard. Carry your own project workload, personally designing, configuring, and cutting over network solutions.
- Own the technical outcome of assigned network projects - define the approach, risks, and definition of done before build starts, stay engaged through delivery, and raise risks and scope gaps early through the RAID log and Change Orders.
- Architect and lead complex network engagements, including client data center and colocation migrations, firewall migrations, and Azure network builds across Fortinet, Cisco, Aruba, and Meraki platforms.
- Develop the engineers on assigned projects through shadowing, design reviews, and direct feedback, teaching rather than taking over.
- Establish and maintain network delivery standards - templates, checklists, and reference architectures - and review work against them before closeout.
- Partner with Solutions Architects to review incoming network deals for scope, risk, assumptions, and effort, and feed lessons learned back into future SOWs.
- Serve as the last level of technical escalation for complex network issues, including major incident response and root cause analysis.
- Other responsibilities as assigned by management
MINIMUM SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:- 12+ years of network engineering experience, including 5+ years in an architect or tech lead role at an MSP, consulting, or professional services firm.
- Expert-level Cisco knowledge across switching, routing, firewalls, and wireless (IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS, Catalyst, Nexus, ISR/ASR, ASA/FTD, Catalyst 9800).
- Expert-level Fortinet knowledge: FortiGate (HA, VDOMs, SD-WAN, VPN), FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiManager, and FortiAnalyzer.
- Hands-on experience with Aruba switching and wireless and Meraki MX, MS, and MR.
- Led network migrations for clients with infrastructure in data center or colocation facilities, including firewall, switching, and WAN cutovers.
- Hands-on Azure networking design and build: hub-spoke VNets, VPN Gateway/ExpressRoute, NSGs, UDRs, and FortiGate NVAs.
- Strong routing and switching fundamentals: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, STP, LACP, VRFs, vPC, and QoS.
- Proven track record leading other engineers through design reviews, mentoring, and setting technical standards.
- Pre-sales experience scoping network projects and reviewing SOWs for risk, assumptions, and effort.
- Executive-level client presence, with the ability to explain complex technical trade-offs to both executives and engineers.
PREFERRED SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE - Cisco CCNP Enterprise or Security; CCIE or CCDE a strong plus
- Fortinet FCSS - Enterprise Firewall or SD-WAN; FCX a strong plus
- Microsoft Azure AZ-700 (Network Engineer)
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, MIS, or a related STEM field
- Wireless surveys and heat mapping (Hamina or similar)
- NAC (Cisco ISE, FortiNAC, ClearPass) and SASE/SSE (Zscaler, FortiSASE, Cisco Umbrella)
- Additional firewall platforms: Palo Alto, SonicWall, or Check Point
- Network automation: Python, Ansible, or FortiManager/Meraki APIs
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must be able to sit, stand, and bend for the duration of shift. The position is mainly sitting, with occasional lifting up to 50 lbs, such as laptop, server equipment, and, driving to the work site to meet with client(s).
Starting Salary Expectations: $155,000
The salary for this position is commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications. The range is intended to reflect our commitment to attracting top talent, and the final offer will be based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's previous experience, expertise in the field, relevant certifications, and the specific requirements of the role. In addition, internal equity, market trends, and geographic location may also influence the final salary.
Along with a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings options, flexible time off (FTO), and professional development opportunities. We are open to discussing compensation and benefits further during the interview process to ensure alignment with the candidate's expectations and experience.
