Job Description
Senior Network Architect
📍 Orange County, CA | 🏢 100% Onsite | ⏱ Full-Time
Key Highlights
🌐 Architect and lead a secure, high-availability enterprise network supporting mission-critical systems
🔐 Drive modernization initiatives including SD-WAN, wireless upgrades, and zero-trust networking
🤝 Serve as the senior networking SME and mentor within a public-sector IT environment
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Network Architect to provide on-site leadership and hands-on expertise supporting a complex, enterprise-scale network within a public-sector organization. This role is responsible for network architecture, modernization strategy, and operational excellence across data centers, remote sites, mobile units, and public safety systems.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience with Cisco-based enterprise networks, excels in highly available and secure environments, and thrives in hands-on leadership roles requiring both strategic design and day-to-day technical execution.
This is a full-time, 100% onsite role in Orange County, California.
Key Responsibilities
Network Architecture & Design
- Design, implement, and maintain a secure, scalable, and highly available enterprise network leveraging Cisco technologies
- Develop network segmentation, VLAN strategies, and routing topologies including OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP
- Architect connectivity solutions for remote sites, mobile units, data centers, and public safety systems
- Lead network modernization initiatives including SD-WAN, wireless infrastructure upgrades, and zero-trust network access
Implementation, Operations & Support
- Serve as the hands-on lead engineer for network deployments, upgrades, and incident response
- Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco switches, routers, firewalls, wireless LAN controllers (WLCs), and wireless endpoints
- Design and manage:
- VPNs
- Quality of Service (QoS)
- Access Control Lists (ACLs)
- Network monitoring and logging using tools such as SolarWinds, NetFlow, and SNMP
- Act as the Level 4 escalation point for complex network issues and performance optimization
SME Leadership & Staff Development
- Serve as the organization’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for enterprise networking, advising IT leadership and operational teams
- Train, coach, and mentor junior and mid-level network technicians
- Lead structured knowledge transfer sessions, hands-on training, and real-time coaching during implementations and support activities
- Develop and maintain SOPs, how-to guides, and operational documentation for ongoing internal use
- Support staff interested in pursuing networking certifications such as CCNA and CCNP
Additional Duties
- Perform other activities reasonably related to the role as assigned to support operational and organizational objectives
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in enterprise networking, including architecture and design
- Deep hands-on experience with Cisco enterprise networking technologies
- Strong expertise in routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, and network security
- Experience supporting high-availability, mission-critical environments
- Prior experience in public-sector, law-enforcement, or regulated environments preferred
- Ability to work full-time onsite in Orange County, CA
Why This Role
This position offers the opportunity to lead and modernize enterprise networking systems that directly support public safety and essential community services. You’ll play a critical role in shaping secure, resilient infrastructure while mentoring the next generation of network professionals.