Principal Network Design Architect

SBA Communications is a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, including towers, buildings, rooftops, DAS and small cells. We offer a competitive benefits and compensation package and are looking for team members who will thrive in our dynamic environment.

We welcome your interest in SBA. Let us know a little about you by checking all that apply:

• You are a self-starter.
• You are resourceful and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• You have a strong work ethic.
• You are passionate and driven to achieve results.
• You are a team player who enjoys working in a collaborative environment.
• You continuously challenge yourself to find innovative ways to improve.

You may be a perfect fit. At SBA, we operate with the highest sense of integrity and commitment to quality. We focus on achievement and operate with responsiveness, timeliness and accountability. Our culture of excellence incorporates working collegially, where every team member can contribute meaningfully and make a difference.

If you are ready to make an impact, join our team!

Your Next Career Opportunity – Principal Network Design Architect

The Principal Network Design Architect will act as the subject matter expert and arbitrator on design, engineering, architecture issues relating to networks, routers, switches, servers, gateways, and the security enforcing functions applied to these system and service components. This person will lead all efforts to enhance our network environment from a networking perspective, ensuring the technologies meet performance, security, and scalability requirements. This includes implementing and maintaining all related network designs across multiple disciplines and best practices. 

What You Will Do – Primary Responsibilities

• This role will possess a strong all round technical ability with an excellent working knowledge of networks capability across area for Cloud / Hybrid and on-premises network and systems infrastructure technologies.

• Have a good working knowledge of building, implementing, and maintaining systems with complex architectures on client site, with on-going proactive operational support, working closely with key stakeholders and end users.

• Working within a specialist skilled engineering team providing 1st to 3rd line support to the client.

• Projects will be from the full systems engineering lifecycle from Concept Exploration through to In-Service Support providing the opportunity to develop your experience while supporting the requirements management, system architecture and design, subsystem design and development, system integration, test and acceptance and specialist technical support.

• Demonstrates ability to troubleshoot issues, and drive improvements to the networking and virtualization eco-systems.

• Define and monitor Service Level Objectives (SLOs) and Service Level Indicators (SLIs) to ensure high reliability and uptime for network operations. Design proactive monitoring, alerting, and incident management processes to swiftly address and resolve potential issues.

• Development of network solution designs to meet a complex mix of customer requirements

• Contributing to architectural documentation as part of high- and low-level system designs

• Providing technical guidance and mentoring for other engineers and technical architects

• Preparation and participation in key technical review events during the systems development life cycle.

• Technical stakeholder engagement with clients, peers, 3rd party delivery partners and vendors as required.

• You will also be responsible for keeping technical awareness up to date with updates in industry including:

  • Keeping up to date with evolving networking technology to support technology/solution selection.

  • Keeping up to date with available qualifications and certifications available for network technology utilized across all systems

  • Keeping up to date with relevant industry standards, policies, methodologies, and frameworks

  • Keeping up to date with relevant customer preferred/mandated standards, policies, methodologies, and frameworks.

• Be available for “on call” service to provide the highest level of troubleshooting of all provisioning and complex network issues.

• Provide authority and direction to the process of developing technically sound operations procedures, Network blueprints, and policies within Network Operations.

• Perform proactive analysis on network data and make recommendations for changes/enhancements to improve the customer experience.

• Act as a technical advocate of Network Operations and represent operational stakeholders in RFP reviews, architecture planning, vendor onboarding, customer onboarding, and new projects.

• Excellent communication skills - written, verbal, and interpersonal.

What You’ll Need – Qualifications & Requirements

• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science or related;

  • 10+ years of experience in network architecture, design, and implementation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role or as principal network architect.

  • Juniper/Cisco Certifications

• In-depth knowledge of networking protocols, technologies, and standards, including TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VLANs, VPNs, SD-WAN, etc.

• Experience with network virtualization, software-defined networking (SDN), and cloud networking technologies (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).

• Strong understanding of network security principles and best practices, including experience with firewall management, intrusion detection/prevention, and network access control.

• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CCIE, CISSP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect) are a plus.

• Domestic travel required up to 15%

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel or crouch.

• Ability to stand, walk and sit.

• Ability to reach with hands and arms

• Visual ability correctable to 20/20.

• Sitting up to 90% of the day.

• Ability to respond verbally in an understandable, professional manner in person and over the telephone.

• Manual dexterity to input data into the computer and the calculator and operate the equipment listed above.

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office/ Cubicle workspace.

• Moderate noise level.

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