Lead Network Architect

American Systems•Ashburn, VA

About The Position

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is seeking a Lead Network Architect to serve as the subject-matter expert for enterprise network architecture and engineering supporting a large, geographically distributed federal network. The role leads architecture and design efforts, develops business cases and analyses of alternatives, advises government stakeholders on network strategy, and recommends solutions to complex architecture, performance, resiliency, security, cloud, and operational challenges. The position helps design and evolve secure, scalable, high-performing network services across field sites, data centers, colocations, cloud, and hybrid-cloud environments, aligned with agency enterprise architecture, technical standards, security policies, and mission requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Networking, Telecommunications, or a related technical field.
Experience supporting large federal agencies or other mission-critical enterprise networks, including geographically distributed field sites and 24x7 operations.
Experience with cloud service providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and/or Google Cloud Platform.
Ability to obtain Public Trust.

Nice To Haves

TIC 3.0, FedRAMP, and cloud network migration experience.
Secret or Top Secret clearance.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise network architecture and engineering across the full lifecycle, from requirements analysis and conceptual design through implementation, operations, modernization, and technology refresh.
Establish and maintain network architecture standards and develop, review, and maintain System Design Documents, topology diagrams, logical designs, network taxonomies, and other architecture artifacts.
Conduct requirements analysis and analyses of alternatives; evaluate performance, availability, resiliency, interoperability, security, operational efficiency, total cost of ownership, and policy compliance.
Develop business cases and return-on-investment analyses for network technologies and services, considering lifecycle, sustainment, supply chain, cost, risk, and mission value.
Research and evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions for enterprise networking, SDN, SD-WAN, cloud connectivity, colocation, network management, automation, monitoring, and technology refresh.
Guide engineering and implementation of SDN and SD-WAN solutions, including policy-based routing, multiple network transports, standardized configurations, automation, and centralized troubleshooting.
Support testing, patching, release management, change control, field-site implementation, as-built documentation, and Tier 3 escalations; perform or direct root-cause analysis for complex network incidents.
Architect secure and resilient connectivity to commercial, private, and hybrid cloud environments; support cloud migration and alignment with FedRAMP, agency security requirements, and applicable TIC 3.0 capabilities.
Integrate security controls and Zero Trust principles into architecture and engineering decisions.
Collaborate with ISSOs, ISSMs, cybersecurity personnel, and stakeholders on vulnerabilities, audit findings, RMF requirements, and ATO/ATT documentation.