Senior Network Architect
Senior Network Architect (Subject Matter Expert) – remote Place of Performance: on location in Washington, DC (7 month contract) Period of Performance: end of the year with likely extension Citizenship: U.S. Citizen onlyInterview: video screen with me and then a video interview with the client – final will be on location The ideal candidate is a hands-on architect who can design, implement, and support complex network environments while maintaining stability in live production systems. This individual will play a critical role in shaping network strategy, driving innovation, and ensuring high availability across enterprise infrastructure.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn and evolve enterprise routing architecture with a focus on BGP and OSPF, including policy design, traffic engineering, and convergence optimizationDesign and operate modern data center fabrics (spine-leaf architectures, VXLAN/EVPN) with integration into cloud and virtualized environmentsLead and execute complex network changes and migrations with minimal to zero service disruptionServe as a top-tier escalation point, driving issues from initial symptoms to root cause across network, security, and application layersPerform deep packet and protocol analysis using tools such as Wireshark and PCAPDesign and enhance network segmentation, access control, and visibility, leveraging tools like Cisco ISE and GigamonIntegrate and support secure access and edge solutions (e.g., Zscaler, Cisco FTD)Evaluate existing network environments and recommend improvements for performance, scalability, and operational efficiencyBalance architectural leadership with hands-on engineering and troubleshootingRequired QualificationsDemonstrated CCIE-level expertise (certification not required)Extensive experience designing and supporting large-scale enterprise networksAdvanced knowledge of BGP, OSPF, and VXLAN/EVPN architecturesStrong hands-on experience with Cisco platforms (Nexus, Catalyst, NX-OS, IOS-XE)Proven experience with Network Access Control (NAC) solutions (Cisco ISE or equivalent)Experience with network visibility tools (Gigamon or similar)Deep understanding of TCP/IP and packet-level behaviorAbility to troubleshoot complex issues in high-pressure production environments