Network Architect

SAIC is seeking a Network Architect to join and support our dynamic team in Panama City Beach, Florida.

This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career and hone your leadership skills while supporting multiple Navy projects of varying complexity. We are seeking a motivated individual eager to apply your expertise in network and data center architecture, leveraging modern networking technologies and tools, to enable the successful execution of complex programs.

As an engineering team member, you will contribute to all aspects of network architecture design, development, and fielding support. You will act as a key technical resource, providing guidance to team members and ensuring that network engineering best practices are followed. You will also play a pivotal role in overseeing network requirements development, system design, integration, risk management, and verification/validation of complex Navy systems. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Execute all network systems engineering technical processes in accordance with program requirements, from initial concept through final delivery.
• Design, develop, and maintain data center and Colocation (Colo) network architectures, including physical and logical topology documentation.
• Lead the design and implementation of SD-WAN solutions, ensuring optimized wide-area network performance, reliability, and security across distributed environments.
• Develop and maintain network architecture models and documentation, including Interface Control Documents (ICDs), to ensure proper interaction between network components and external systems.
• Apply expertise in TCP/IP stack, VLANs, VPN technologies, and BGP routing protocols to design and troubleshoot complex network environments.
• Configure and manage Palo Alto next-generation firewalls and security platforms to enforce network security policies and segmentation.
• Leverage experience with Arista networking platforms and/or NetScout network performance management tools to support data center operations and monitoring.
• Support multicast networking design and troubleshooting, including MSDP (Multicast Source Discovery Protocol) configurations.
• Conduct trade studies, feasibility assessments, and performance analyses to identify optimized network solutions and design alternatives.
• Oversee and contribute to integration, verification, and validation (IV&V) efforts, ensuring technical compliance with customer and program network requirements.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks related to network infrastructure, including developing mitigation strategies and providing regular risk reports to stakeholders.
• Support the development of engineering documentation, technical reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in technical reviews, including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), and Critical Design Reviews (CDR).
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers to promote growth and technical excellence within the team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems, software, and cloud engineering, to ensure a cohesive and integrated network approach.
• Monitor and adapt engineering plans, schedules, and deliverables in response to evolving program needs, while adhering to project timelines and budgets.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree (Master's Degree preferred) and 5 years or more of work experience with demonstrated experience across the full network lifecycle (requirements capture, architecture design, integration, and verification/validation).
• Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance. Secret required to start. 
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with SD-WAN architecture, design, and deployment.
• Strong working knowledge of TCP/IP, VLANs, VPNs, and BGP routing in enterprise or government network environments.
• Experience with Palo Alto firewall platforms, including policy configuration, security zone design, and network segmentation.
• Experience with data center and Colocation (Colo) network design and operations.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced program environment.
• Proficiency in writing and interpreting technical reports, requirements, and interface documents.
• Experience preparing presentation material and presenting to peers, project team members, managers, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Security + Certified.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Arista networking platforms and/or NetScout network performance management and monitoring tools.
• Familiarity with JSON and YAML for network automation and configuration management.
• Experience with MSDP (Multicast Source Discovery Protocol) and multicast network design.
• Familiarity with cloud networking concepts in AWS and/or Azure environments.
• Experience with Navy or DoD systems and knowledge of applicable military standards and specifications.
• Relevant industry certifications such as PCNSE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer), Arista ACE, CCNP, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in technical risk management, including the development and maintenance of risk registers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Prior experience serving as a lead or senior network engineer on large, complex, or multi-disciplinary projects.
• Experience with network automation tools and scripting languages to support infrastructure as code (IaC) practices.
• Experience with network and software tools in support of data center architecture, development, and fielding.