Job#: 2065781

Job Description:

Network Architect

Location: Augusta, Maine -- On-site, 5 days/week

** If interested and meet the necessary requirements, please e-mail your most up to date resume to Lindy Heim at [email protected] to apply! **

A Senior Cisco Network Architect (CCIE) in a state IT department is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex network infrastructures that support the state’s operations, services, and data. They are tasked with ensuring robust and secure network performance, leveraging Cisco’s products and services across areas like networking, routing, switching, and wireless systems.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Cisco Certifications: A CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) certification is critical, demonstrating expert-level knowledge in routing, switching, wireless, and security. Or Equivalent Experience
• Advanced Knowledge: Expertise in network design principles, troubleshooting methodologies, and a deep understanding of routing, switching, and wireless protocols.
• Experience with Cisco Hardware: Proficiency in Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, wireless controllers, and access points.
• Security Expertise: In-depth knowledge of network security principles, including encryption, VPNs, firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
• Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional teams and mentoring junior engineers.

The Senior Cisco Network Architect plays a vital role in ensuring the states network infrastructure is secure, efficient, and scalable, capable of supporting the dynamic needs of state services while also meeting regulatory standards.

Here is a detailed breakdown of their responsibilities and tasks:

1. Network Design and Architecture

• Design Network Infrastructure: Lead the design of large-scale enterprise network infrastructures, ensuring the network architecture meets the needs of the state agency, including scalability, redundancy, and high availability.
• Cisco Solutions: Use Cisco products (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.) to design and implement network solutions, optimizing for performance, security, and cost-efficiency.
• High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD): Develop both high-level and detailed network design documentation, including IP addressing, VLANs, subnets, routing protocols, and wireless network components.
• Virtualization and SDN: Integrate software-defined networking (SDN) and network virtualization solutions where applicable, enhancing flexibility and manageability.

2. Routing & Switching

• Routing Protocols: Implement and optimize routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and MPLS to ensure reliable data flow across multiple locations, including remote sites and data centers.
• Switching Technologies: Design and configure complex Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching, utilizing technologies like Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), VTP, and Cisco’s advanced features (like EVPN and VXLAN) for network segmentation and traffic flow optimization.
• Network Segmentation & Security: Leverage routing and switching technologies to implement network segmentation, applying best practices for reducing the attack surface and enhancing security.
• Quality of Service (QoS): Configure QoS policies to prioritize critical network traffic, such as voice and video, ensuring high performance and minimizing latency.

3. Wireless Networking

• Design Wireless Networks: Architect wireless LAN (WLAN) solutions to provide secure, reliable, and high-performance wireless connectivity, ensuring full coverage in all key areas.
• Cisco Wireless Solutions: Deploy Cisco’s wireless solutions such as Cisco Meraki or Cisco Catalyst access points and controllers, configuring them for enterprise environments.
• Wi-Fi Security: Ensure proper security configurations in wireless environments (e.g., WPA3, 802.1X) to safeguard data privacy and prevent unauthorized access.
• Wireless Site Surveys: Conduct or oversee wireless site surveys to determine optimal access point placement and configuration.

4. Network Security & Compliance

• Network Security Framework: Design and implement security protocols and systems (firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, VPNs, etc.) to protect sensitive state data and meet government standards.
• Compliance: Ensure the network architecture complies with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements (such as NIST, FISMA, or HIPAA) for privacy, data integrity, and security.
• Monitoring & Threat Detection: Work with network security teams to deploy network monitoring solutions and detect any potential security incidents or vulnerabilities.

5. Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Network Monitoring & Diagnostics: Implement network monitoring tools (e.g., Cisco Prime, SolarWinds) to proactively monitor network health, performance, and traffic flow.
• Troubleshooting: Lead advanced troubleshooting for complex network issues, applying expertise in Cisco technologies to diagnose and resolve problems efficiently.
• Capacity Planning & Optimization: Perform capacity planning and tuning of network devices to ensure the infrastructure can handle projected growth and prevent bottlenecks.

6. Collaboration with Other Teams

• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with other IT teams such as systems administrators, security specialists, and database administrators to align network designs with the overall IT strategy.
• Vendor Coordination: Collaborate with Cisco and other third-party vendors for purchasing, licensing, support, and troubleshooting.
• Project Management: Lead or contribute to projects that involve network upgrades, migrations, or new implementations, ensuring that timelines, budgets, and performance goals are met.

7. Documentation & Reporting

• Network Documentation: Maintain comprehensive network diagrams, configurations, and detailed technical documentation for future reference and auditing purposes.
• Reporting: Generate regular reports on network performance, security incidents, and operational status for senior management and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge Transfer: Provide knowledge transfer to junior staff, ensuring they understand the architecture, configurations, and best practices.

8. Leadership & Mentoring

• Team Leadership: Mentor and guide junior network engineers or administrators, helping them with Cisco technologies and overall network design and troubleshooting.
• Training & Certifications: Ensure team members stay updated on the latest Cisco technologies and certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE).

9. Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

• Disaster Recovery Planning: Design and implement disaster recovery and business continuity strategies for network infrastructure, including backup and failover configurations.
• Redundancy & High Availability: Architect networks to include failover solutions like HSRP, VRRP, and redundant power supplies, ensuring minimal downtime.

10. Emerging Technologies and Research

• Research New Technologies: Stay current with emerging technologies like 5G, IoT, and automation, evaluating their potential integration into the states network infrastructure.
• Pilot and Test New Solutions: Lead proof-of-concept (PoC) or pilot implementations of new networking solutions and determine their viability within the agency’s environment.

EEO Employer

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. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at [email protected] or 844-463-6178.

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, 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 ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview: 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. 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, 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. 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 Apex team member can provide.