Network Architect -NA24-08021

Job Title: Network Architect
Location: Onsite at Tallahassee, FL
Duration: 12 months

Scope of Work:
The Contractor will provide an experienced Network Architect for the Client, Infrastructure Operations team to supplement existing staff for the purpose of supporting and maintaining the distributed wired and wireless network infrastructure both on-premises as well as in the cloud tenants. The Network Architect will review the current network design and strategy and develop recommendations to ensure that the Department is adhering to network security and operational best practices. The Network Architect will also make recommendations to improve segmentation strategies, harden systems, and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information that is critical to ensuring the execution. The Network Architect will assist the telecommunications team in reviewing the potential migration to a telephony cloud provider. The Contractor, through its selected candidate must perform all tasks and complete the deliverables identified in this Statement of Work (SOW).

Mandatory Qualifications:
• A minimum of 10 years of IT work experience in infrastructure/network environments performing network planning, architecture design, engineering (hardware and software) and optimization
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) with Department staff.
• Experience designing Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting routing and switching.
• Experience configuring and administering Next Generation Firewalls.

Preferred Experience:
• Experience in assessing network topology and architecture.
• Experience implementing and maintaining SD-WAN technologies.
• Experience with wireless infrastructure design, management, and troubleshooting.
• Experience designing Zero Trust Architecture.
• Experience with hybrid and cloud telephony/VoIP architecture and design.
• Experience with Azure networking architecture and design.
• Experience with Palo Alto hardware.
• Experience with remote access solutions.

Educational qualifications meeting at least one of the following levels:
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or other related field. Or equivalent work experience.

Contractor Responsibilities:
Network Architect Task List: Contractor, through the selected candidate, must perform the following tasks as assigned by the Department's Contract Manager and described in the list below:
• Perform a detailed analysis of the Department's network topology and security strategies.
• Produce a detailed report of architectural, design and security deficiencies.
• Develop enhanced network security strategies.
• Present recommendations for improvement in the areas of network security, scalability, and resiliency.
• Assess the feasibility, pros & cons of upgrading our remote sites to use SD-WAN appliances instead of the current configuration.
• Develop a Department-wide implementation plan for SD-WAN installation, configuration and maintenance
• Drive continuous improvement and optimization.
• Provide support on the day-to-day activities of the Network and Telecommunications teams.
• Attend and participate in all assigned meetings.
• Complete a Project Report and a Project Timesheet on a weekly basis.
• Create technical documentation of the proposed design and facilitate the transfer of knowledge to Department staff.