Network Architect

Job Description: Network Architect

• Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
• Duration: 6 months
• GBaMS ReqID: 11035731
• Job Title: Network Architect

Essential Technical Skills

• Enterprise network architecture and design.
• LAN/WAN architecture and implementation.
• Routing and switching.
• TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and NAT.
• VLANs and network segmentation.
• BGP, OSPF, and enterprise routing protocols.
• Enterprise firewall architecture.
• WAN and SD-WAN technologies.
• Network security and security controls.
• High availability (HA) and network resiliency.
• Wireless network architecture.
• IP addressing and subnetting.
• Network discovery and infrastructure assessment.
• Data center and site connectivity.
• Structured cabling and physical network infrastructure.
• Site migration and cutover planning.
• Network troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
• High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD).
• Network topology diagrams and technical documentation.
• Coordination of multiple technical workstreams.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Site Network Assessment

• Conduct detailed assessments of existing power plant network infrastructure.
• Review routers, switches, firewalls, WAN connectivity, wireless infrastructure, and network circuits.
• Assess racks, patch panels, network closets, and physical cabling.
• Document the current-state network topology.
• Identify technical gaps, risks, dependencies, and obsolete infrastructure.
• Evaluate existing network configurations and connectivity requirements.

2. Target Network Architecture and Design

• Design the target-state network architecture required to integrate the power plant into the enterprise environment.
• Develop HLDs, LLDs, and network topology diagrams.
• Define network connectivity requirements and IP addressing strategies.
• Design network segmentation, redundancy, and resiliency requirements.
• Ensure the proposed architecture aligns with enterprise infrastructure standards.
• Identify dependencies between existing plant infrastructure and the target enterprise network.

3. LAN/WAN Architecture

• Design and validate enterprise LAN/WAN connectivity.
• Define routing, switching, VLANs, WAN circuits, SD-WAN, and site connectivity requirements.
• Establish redundant connectivity and high-availability requirements for critical plant services.
• Evaluate network performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Develop network connectivity designs for site and data center integration.

4. Network Security and Segmentation

• Collaborate with cybersecurity and OT security teams to develop secure network segmentation between enterprise IT and plant/OT environments.
• Support firewall architecture, security zones, access requirements, and network security controls.
• Define secure communication paths between corporate IT and operational technology systems.
• Ensure network migration complies with client security policies and infrastructure standards.
• Minimize unnecessary dependencies between OT and enterprise networks.

5. OT/IT Integration

• Coordinate integration requirements between corporate IT infrastructure and power plant operational technology.
• Identify connectivity dependencies involving plant systems and operational applications.
• Ensure appropriate network isolation and secure communication between IT and OT environments.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, cybersecurity, and plant operations teams.
• Support the integration of plant infrastructure into the enterprise network.

6. Site Migration and Cutover Planning

• Develop detailed network migration and cutover plans.
• Identify prerequisites, sequencing, dependencies, and maintenance-window requirements.
• Define migration validation criteria and rollback procedures.
• Plan post-migration testing and verification activities.
• Coordinate implementation activities to minimize disruption to power plant operations.
• Work with relevant technical teams to ensure a smooth transition to the target network architecture.

7. Physical Infrastructure and Cabling

• Assess structured cabling and physical network infrastructure.
• Identify fiber-optic and copper cabling requirements.
• Evaluate patch panels, racks, network closets, and equipment installation requirements.
• Define cable labeling and connectivity standards.
• Coordinate with field-services and cabling teams during implementation.
• Validate physical connectivity requirements for network equipment and site infrastructure.

8. Network Equipment and Configuration Design

• Define network equipment and configuration requirements.
• Develop design specifications for routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless infrastructure.
• Establish routing, switching, VLAN, and IP addressing requirements.
• Define firewall policies, network access requirements, and segmentation controls.
• Ensure equipment configurations support availability, security, and resiliency objectives.
• Coordinate with implementation teams to validate network designs and configurations.

9. Documentation and Troubleshooting

• Prepare and maintain HLDs, LLDs, network topology diagrams, and architecture documentation.
• Document existing and target-state network configurations.
• Maintain records of network dependencies, risks, and technical decisions.
• Troubleshoot network connectivity and performance issues.
• Perform root-cause analysis and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate with technical teams to resolve implementation and migration issues.

10. Technical Coordination

• Coordinate multiple technical workstreams throughout assessment, design, and migration.
• Collaborate with network engineering, cybersecurity, OT, infrastructure, and field-services teams.
• Communicate technical requirements, risks, dependencies, and project updates.
• Support implementation planning and design validation.
• Ensure alignment between technical deliverables and project objectives.

Key Skills and Keywords for Resume Search

• Network Architect
• Enterprise Network Architecture
• Network Design
• LAN/WAN
• Routing and Switching
• TCP/IP
• DNS, DHCP, NAT
• VLANs and Network Segmentation
• BGP and OSPF
• Enterprise Firewall Architecture
• WAN and SD-WAN
• Network Security
• High Availability and Network Resiliency
• Wireless Network Architecture
• IP Addressing and Subnetting
• Network Discovery and Assessment
• Data Center Connectivity
• Power Plant Network Infrastructure
• Operational Technology (OT)
• IT/OT Integration
• OT Network Security
• Network Migration and Cutover
• Structured Cabling
• Fiber and Copper Connectivity
• Network Troubleshooting
• Root-Cause Analysis
• HLD and LLD
• Network Topology Documentation
• Infrastructure Assessment
• Risk and Dependency Management
• Cross-Functional Technical Coordination

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Experienced network architect with strong enterprise LAN/WAN design knowledge.
• Hands-on experience with routing, switching, firewalls, VLANs, and SD-WAN.
• Ability to assess existing infrastructure and develop target-state network architectures.
• Knowledge of network security and segmentation between IT and OT environments.
• Experience planning site migrations, cutovers, and rollback procedures.
• Familiarity with physical network infrastructure, structured cabling, and data center connectivity.
• Strong documentation, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills across multiple technical teams.