Title : Network Architect
Location : East Hartford, CT- On-site - Only Local or within 30-45 miles of radius
Our client, an IT Services organization supporting commercial and federal clients is seeking a Network Architect responsible for the overall design, architecture, and technical direction of the modernized Cisco-based WAN / LAN / WLAN infrastructure. This role requires a strategic leader who can translate business, judicial, and compliance requirements into a secure, scalable, and resilient network architecture that integrates with external agencies and cloud services.
Key Responsibilities :
- Define the overall network architecture strategy and roadmap for statewide Cisco-based infrastructure modernization.
- Design WAN, LAN, and wireless solutions that meet performance, security, and scalability requirements.
- Develop high-level and detailed network design documentation, including topology diagrams, configurations, and implementation standards.
- Ensure secure integration with state, local, and federal agencies as well as cloud environments.
- Collaborate with project managers, cybersecurity analysts, and engineering teams to align designs with compliance (CJIS, NIST, etc.) and judicial branch requirements.
- Evaluate new networking technologies and solutions to enhance resiliency, performance, and security.
- Provide guidance on disaster recovery, business continuity, and high-availability network design.
- Oversee network capacity planning, performance monitoring strategies, and optimization.
- Serve as the senior technical authority for escalations during design, testing, and deployment.
- Guide the customer's engineering staff on best practices and design principles.
Required Qualifications :
Must be a US Citizen due to the nature of the role10+ years of progressively responsible experience in network engineering and architecture.Deep expertise with Cisco networking technologies : routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, VPN, and network security solutions.Proven experience designing large-scale, multi-site WAN / LAN / WLAN infrastructures.Knowledge of hybrid / cloud connectivity and secure integration with third-party agencies.Strong understanding of network security standards and compliance requirements (NIST, CJIS, CIS Controls).Experience in highly regulated or government / public sector environments.Excellent documentation, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills.Preferred Qualifications :
Relevant certifications : CCNP / CCIE, Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE), or equivalent.Experience supporting judicial, law enforcement, or public sector networks.Familiarity with SD-WAN, network segmentation, and Zero Trust architectures.Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.