Senior Principal, Network Engineering Architect

Clarity Innovations•Herndon, VA

About The Position

The J9HT Network Architect is responsible for the program’s overall network architecture. The role designs the enterprise networking infrastructure, including cloud connectivity, software-defined networking (SDN), local and wide area networks (LAN/WAN), data centers, and network security systems. The architect creates and communicates plans for network infrastructure implementation and management to ensure the infrastructure is maintained. As the technical authority on network design, the architect ensures infrastructure is scalable, secure, highly available, and aligned with long-term business goals. The role works closely with Program Management to ensure technical deliverables meet customer goals and contractual obligations, and collaborates with the Program / Portfolio PMA on the solution and vision to align J9HT with the broader portfolio vision. The program is focused on designing, implementing, and maintaining a managed, high-assurance software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) architecture that provides a unified, high-performance network foundation. The Network Architect designs, implements, and maintains secure network infrastructure integral to cyber development platforms, drawing on deep network architecture expertise and understanding of platform operations, cyber defense, and security protocols. The position contributes to architectural approaches for complex systems, platforms, or mission solutions; supports integration of technologies and capabilities into cohesive solutions; collaborates with engineering teams and stakeholders; communicates with internal stakeholders and may participate in customer-facing technical discussions; and provides architectural guidance and support for architectural standards, patterns, and practices. The role requires advanced knowledge of relevant technologies and system design principles.

Requirements

Typically a university degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience, with at least 7 years of relevant experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
At least 7 years of experience in network engineering and infrastructure design.
At least 3 years in a senior or lead network architect capacity within an enterprise environment.
At least 3 years of network engineering experience supporting a federal agency.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
Deep hands-on experience with SDN controllers and fabric architectures, such as Cisco ACI, VMware NSX, Open Virtual Network (OVN), or cloud-native SDN.
Strong understanding of overlay networks, including VXLAN, NVGRE, and Geneve, and controller-driven orchestration.
Solid understanding of hybrid cloud architectures, transit gateways, VPC/VNet, and direct connectivity solutions such as AWS Direct Connect and Azure ExpressRoute.
Demonstrated knowledge of DoD/Federal security standards, including RMF, NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, and DISA STIG implementation.
Experience with network virtualization and virtual switching across VMware environments (NSX, vSwitch/vDS) and Microsoft Hyper-V.
Advanced proficiency with routing and switching protocols, including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, and MPLS.
Hands-on experience with enterprise networking equipment from vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Palo Alto, and Fortinet.
Deep familiarity with DNS, DHCP, IPAM, load balancing (F5, Citrix), and VPN technologies.
Strong analytical problem-solving and project management skills.
Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Design the program’s enterprise network architecture, including cloud connectivity, SDN, LAN/WAN, data centers, and network security systems.
Create and communicate plans for implementing and managing network infrastructure, and ensure it is maintained.
Serve as the technical authority on network design, ensuring infrastructure is scalable, secure, highly available, and aligned with long-term business goals.
Work with Program Management to ensure technical deliverables meet customer goals and contractual obligations.
Collaborate with the Program / Portfolio PMA on the solution and vision, ensuring alignment between J9HT and the broader portfolio vision.
Design, implement, and maintain a managed, high-assurance SD-WAN architecture and secure network infrastructure for cyber development platforms.
Contribute to architectural approaches for complex systems, platforms, or mission solutions within a program or technical domain.
Support the integration of technologies, capabilities, and components into cohesive solutions.
Collaborate with engineering teams and stakeholders to align architecture with technical requirements and program objectives.
Communicate with internal stakeholders and participate as needed in customer-facing technical discussions about system design and integration.
Provide architectural guidance on components or subsystems and support architectural standards, patterns, and practices.