Network Architect

Company Overview – Cirrus9 Solutions

Cirrus9 Solutions is an award‑winning IT engineering firm that helps public‑sector and commercial clients modernize, secure, and automate their infrastructure. From state and local governments to nationally recognized enterprises, we deliver mission‑critical solutions across networking, cloud, and cybersecurity. Our cross‑functional engineers thrive in a culture of innovation, integrity, and radical candor—working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with customers to translate business needs into secure, high‑performance IT outcomes.

Role Summary – Why We Need You

We are seeking an accomplished Network Architect to lead the design and delivery of complex enterprise LAN, WAN, data‑center, and cloud connectivity solutions. As the functional team lead, you will own the technical vision, mentor a high‑performing engineering staff, and serve as the principal architect for strategic client engagements. If you excel at turning whiteboard concepts into production‑ready architectures—and can guide others to do the same—this role offers the autonomy, visibility, and impact you’re looking for.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Architecture & Design

• Design secure, scalable network architectures—including SD‑WAN, campus, data‑center, and hybrid‑cloud topologies—leveraging Cisco SD‑WAN, Meraki, UCS, Firepower/FMC, ISE, and ThousandEyes technologies.

• Produce high‑quality diagrams and documentation in Microsoft Visio, ensuring clarity for stakeholders and maintainers alike.

• Define standards, reference architectures, and configuration templates using Ansible, RESTful APIs, and infrastructure‑as‑code principles.

Implementation & Operations

• Lead end‑to‑end deployments: planning, staging, migration, and cutover for multi‑site environments.

• Oversee advanced troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for Priority‑1 incidents, coordinating cross‑functional war rooms when required.

• Drive continuous monitoring and capacity management with PRTG and ThousandEyes, translating insights into proactive improvements.

Governance, Security & Compliance

• Align solutions with NIST, ISO 27001, and zero‑trust frameworks; embed segmentation, posture assessment, and logging.

• Define and enforce network policies, SOPs, and change‑management processes to satisfy both internal and auditor requirements.

Leadership & Enablement

• Act as technical mentor for 3–4 network engineers—conducting design reviews, configuration walkthroughs, and knowledge‑sharing sessions.

• Contribute to presales by scoping efforts, producing Bill‑of‑Materials, and presenting architectures to executive stakeholders.

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Evaluate emerging technologies (5G, private LTE, and AI‑driven operations) and champion viable solutions within Cirrus9.

• Represent Cirrus9 at industry events, webinars, or user groups as a subject‑matter expert in modern enterprise networking.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Category Expectations

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

8 + years designing & implementing enterprise networks; 3 + years in an architect or lead‑engineer capacity.

Hands‑on mastery of: Cisco SD‑WAN, Campus Routing & Switching, Cisco ISE (TACACS + /802.1X), Cisco Firepower & FMC, Cisco Meraki, Cisco UCS fabric, PRTG, ThousandEyes, Ansible, and Visio.

Proven track record with network automation, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure‑as‑code.

Executive‑level presentation skills, exceptional written communication, and a mentoring mindset grounded in servant leadership.

Willingness to participate in a rotating on‑call schedule for Tier‑3 escalations.

Preferred Skills & Certifications

• Cisco CCNP/CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure or CCIE Security

• Cisco Certified DevNet Professional or equivalent automation credential

• AWS Advanced Networking or Azure Network Engineer certification

• ITIL v4 Foundation or higher

• Experience integrating zero‑trust solutions (e.g., ZTNA, micro‑segmentation)

• Familiarity with compliance frameworks (CJIS, HIPAA, FedRAMP)

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Compensation: Target salary range $180 K – $200 K DOE, plus annual performance bonus

• 401(k) with Company Match – immediate vesting

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA options

• Paid Time Off: 15 days PTO, 10 paid holidays, and 8 hours of volunteer time annually

• Professional Development: Annual training budget and paid certification exams

Our Culture & Values

At Cirrus9, we live by four core values:

1. Client Obsession – We act as trusted advisors, not order‑takers.

2. Radical Candor – We share feedback openly and respectfully to help each other grow.

3. Innovation with Purpose – We adopt new tech only when it delivers measurable value.

4. Inclusive Excellence – We celebrate diversity and ensure every voice has a platform.