Network Architect (SME)

Description

Job Title: Network Architect (SME)

Location: Hybrid - 2 days a week on-site - Suitland, MD

Salary: 200-250K

Summary

We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Network Architect to join our team supporting a large-scale federal modernization program. This role owns enterprise and solution-level network architecture, designing secure, resilient network environments that support mission-critical systems and shared services across both cloud and on-premises boundaries, and driving the standards, target-state direction, and modernization roadmap that keep the network ready to scale.

This is a hands-on architecture role. You'll be expected to produce real technical designs and see them through implementation, not just set direction from a distance.

This is a hybrid role based out of Washington, DC. Candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Key Responsibilities

1. Network Architecture & Design

• Develop, review, and implement secure, resilient enterprise network architectures supporting mission systems and shared services.
• Produce and assess physical/logical diagrams, routing/segmentation, interfaces, connectivity, capacity, availability, and monitoring requirements.
• Design hybrid connectivity architecture spanning on-premises and cloud environments.

2. Standards & Target-State Direction

• Define and maintain network architecture standards, reference patterns, and technical decisions.
• Set target-state network direction and modernization roadmap, balancing scale, security, resilience, and performance.
• Align network architecture with enterprise architecture governance and repository requirements.

3. Technical Reviews & Governance

• Support technical reviews, architecture compliance reviews, phase gates, and implementation-readiness reviews.
• Evaluate proposed deviations and provide recommendations grounded in risk and architectural impact.

4. Gap Analysis & Modernization

• Analyze current-state network gaps, technical debt, lifecycle risk, single points of failure, and performance bottlenecks.
• Provide recommendations for modernization, standardization, and optimization, including cost/performance tradeoffs.

5. Cross-Domain Coordination

• Coordinate with cloud/platform, cybersecurity, identity, endpoint/mobility, applications, data, and ITSM teams, as well as external carriers and providers.
• Resolve complex cross-domain design conflicts under fixed milestones.

6. Documentation & Operational Handoff

• Maintain standards, reference patterns, technical decisions, configurations, risks, and dependencies in approved repositories.
• Support implementation, testing, migration, and stabilization, and troubleshoot complex cross-domain problems, communicating root cause, options, and corrective actions.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in network engineering, including significant architecture responsibility at enterprise scale.
• Strong fundamentals in TCP/IP, routing, switching, segmentation, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, load balancing, resiliency, performance, monitoring, and security.
• Demonstrated experience producing technical network designs and supporting implementation, testing, troubleshooting, and operational transition.
• Ability to work across cloud and on-premises boundaries and through formal security/architecture review processes.
• Strong documentation and communication skills, with experience presenting designs and tradeoffs to both engineers and leadership.
• U.S. Citizenship Required.

Preferred Certifications

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) - Enterprise Infrastructure or equivalent
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) - Enterprise
• Juniper Networks Certified Professional (JNCIP) or equivalent
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate
• CompTIA Security+ or equivalent security certification
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - preferred for candidates with significant network security responsibilities
• TOGAF - preferred for candidates with enterprise architecture/governance experience

Core Capabilities:

• Advanced and Managed IT Services
• Agile Software Development
• DevSecOps
• Cybersecurity
• Health IT
• C4ISR & SIGINT
• Data Center Engineering & Operations
• Engineering & Installation

Why ActioNet?

At ActioNet, our Passion for Quality is at the heart of everything we do:

• Commitment to Employees: We are committed to making ActioNet a great place to work and continue to invest in our ActioNeters.
• Commitment to Customers: We are committed to our customers by driving and sustaining Service Delivery Excellence.
• Commitment to Community: We are committed to giving back to our community, helping others, and making the world a better place for our next generation.

ActioNet is proud to be named a Top Workplacefor the twelfth year in a row (2014 - 2025). We have a 98% customer retention rate. We are passionate about the inspirational missions of our customers, and we entrust our employees and teams to deliver exceptional performance to enable the safety, security, health, and well-being of our nation.

What's in It ForYou?

As an ActioNeter, you get to be part of an exceptional team and a corporate culture that nurtures mutual success for our customers, employees, and communities. We give you the tools to be successful; all you need to do is bring your best ideas, your energy, and a desire to develop your skills, experience, and career. Are you ready to make a difference?

ActioNet is an equal-opportunity employer and values inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Full-Time Employees are eligible to participate in our ActioNet’sBenefits Program:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Education and Professional Training
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Referral and Merit Recognition Programs
• Employee Assistance and Identity Theft Protection
• Paid Holidays: 11 per year
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Disability Insurance

ActioNet is an equal opportunity employer and value inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis ofrace, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

********Direct Applicants, only.No Agencies, No third-party recruiters, please********