Network Architect - Consultant in Columbia, SC

REQUIRED SKILLS (RANK IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE):
1. 4+ years of experience with enterprise network architecture and engineering within complex, mission-critical environments.
2. 4+ years of experience with LAN/WAN technologies, including Juniper enterprise routing and switching, TCP/IP, enterprise routing protocols, DNS, DHCP, and IPAM.
3. 4+ years of experience leading complex network architecture and engineering initiatives from requirements and design through implementation, troubleshooting, and operational transition.
4. 4+ years of experience with enterprise infrastructure modernization, lifecycle planning, capacity planning, resiliency, and high-availability design.
5. 4+ years of experience with network security architecture and technologies, including Fortinet firewalls and VPN/SASE technologies, Network Access Control (NAC), segmentation, and security policy implementation.
6. 4+ years of experience with cloud and hybrid networking, including AWS or Microsoft Azure.
7. 4+ years of experience with network automation, orchestration, scripting, and Infrastructure as Code concepts and technologies.
8. 4+ years of experience with enterprise network monitoring, observability, analytics, metrics, and performance management.

PREFERRED SKILLS (RANK IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE):
1. Experience developing enterprise network strategy, architecture standards, reference architectures, and long-term technology roadmaps.
2. Experience supporting network architecture and engineering in a complex higher education environment, including academic, research, administrative, and other diverse institutional technology requirements.
3. Experience with Aruba and Cisco enterprise switching and wireless technologies, including software-defined and centrally managed network architectures.
4. Experience implementing enterprise observability, telemetry, automation, and proactive or self-healing infrastructure capabilities.
5. Experience with virtualization, cloud networking, and hybrid cloud infrastructure.
6. Experience coordinating infrastructure projects with facilities organizations, architects, contractors, consultants, and external engineering firms.
7. Experience supporting enterprise cybersecurity, zero-trust, segmentation, and secure network architecture initiatives.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline or equivalent work experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
Juniper Networks Certified Professional Enterprise Routing and Switching (JNCIP-ENT) or higher.
Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP) or higher certification relevant to network security, firewalls, or secure networking.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).
Aruba networking certification relevant to enterprise switching, wireless, or network architecture.
AWS or Microsoft Azure certification relevant to advanced networking or cloud network architecture.
ITIL Foundation or higher.
CompTIA Security+