cFocus Software is seeking an experienced
Computer Network Architect to design, implement, and maintain secure and efficient networks for critical national security operations. With over 8 years of experience, the ideal candidate will play a key role in designing and managing LANs, WANs, intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. The Computer Network Architect will also perform network modeling, analysis, and planning while developing and recommending network security measures. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of DHS's network infrastructure to ensure secure, reliable, and high-performance systems that support the Department’s mission.
Key Responsibilities:
- Network Design and Implementation:
- Design, develop, and implement robust computer and information networks for DHS, including LANs, WANs, intranets, and extranets.
- Architect secure, scalable, and high-performance networks that meet the department’s operational, security, and performance requirements.
- Ensure the seamless integration of new network technologies and solutions, including hybrid cloud environments and advanced data communication systems.
- Network Modeling, Analysis, and Planning:
- Conduct in-depth network modeling and analysis to understand current network performance, identify areas for improvement, and plan for future network growth.
- Perform capacity planning and traffic analysis to ensure the network infrastructure can accommodate current and future demands.
- Develop and maintain network blueprints and roadmaps to guide network design and evolution for the department.
- Network and Computer Security Design:
- Design and implement network security measures to protect sensitive data and systems, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and virtual private networks (VPNs).
- Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure that networks are resistant to internal and external security threats.
- Develop and recommend security policies and procedures to safeguard network infrastructure against potential vulnerabilities and attacks.
- Hardware and Software Recommendations:
- Research, evaluate, and recommend network hardware and software solutions to meet the needs of DHS’s IT infrastructure.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in network technologies and recommend new tools or systems to enhance network performance, security, and reliability.
- Work with vendors and service providers to select and integrate appropriate network hardware, software, and services.
- Network Optimization and Troubleshooting:
- Continuously monitor and optimize network performance to ensure efficiency, availability, and reliability.
- Troubleshoot network issues, providing timely and effective solutions to minimize downtime and service disruptions.
- Implement improvements to ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Collaboration and Documentation:
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, security experts, and IT operations teams, to ensure network architecture aligns with organizational needs.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers and team members.
- Maintain detailed documentation for network architectures, configurations, designs, and troubleshooting processes to ensure compliance and operational continuity.
- Compliance and Standards Adherence:
- Ensure network designs comply with federal regulations and industry best practices, including NIST, FISMA, and other relevant standards.
- Contribute to DHS’s efforts to maintain secure and compliant network infrastructures.
Qualifications:
- Education:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience:
- 8+ years of experience in computer network design, implementation, and management, with a focus on large-scale, complex, secure networks.
- Proven expertise in designing and deploying LANs, WANs, intranets, extranets, and data communications networks.
- Experience performing network modeling, analysis, and planning to support long-term network growth and optimization.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement network security measures, including firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
- Hands-on experience researching and recommending network hardware and software solutions for enterprise environments.
- Skills and Competencies:
- Advanced knowledge of network protocols, such as TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, and routing protocols like BGP and OSPF.
- Strong understanding of network architecture, including network design, topology, and security.
- Experience with network monitoring and diagnostic tools, as well as performance optimization and troubleshooting techniques.
- Expertise in network security protocols and technologies, including encryption, firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Certifications (Preferred):
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).
- CompTIA Network+ or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) or similar certifications related to cloud networking and security.
- ITIL Foundation or other relevant IT service management certifications.
Security Clearance:
Due to the sensitive nature of this role, candidates must possess or be able to obtain the required security clearance.
