Data Center Network Architect

We Are Hiring:

• Network Architect with extensive experience in transforming Data Center, Campus and Remote office Networks
• Must have Design and Deployment experience
• Develop Network solution working with Enterprise Architects, CTO and Business Process owners to define Network/Systems requirements
• Experience leading Network operations optimization, Automation projects
• Experience leading multi-tiered Data Center transformation to SDN/Leaf-spine network Architectures

• Develop and assess the strategies of the enterprise architecture and roadmaps; have a key focus on redundancy, flexibility, and stability.
• Define and execute a Global Network Strategy that enables our associates to be productive 7x24 regardless of geography to deliver services with minimal downtime.
• Understand, and design, for the full platform product life cycle.
• Perform research on new network technologies and prototype solutions that can be leveraged to decrease costs and increase performance; make recommendations, gain approval, and develop implementation strategies for new technologies.
• Evaluate and recommend product selection to ensure that organizational goals for security, reliability and performance are achieved.
• Participates in service reviews.
• Develop and maintain network standards.
• Drive the adoption of Software Defined Networking and Infrastructure as Code.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate tools and target state connectivity solutions, service management and service catalog integrations.
• Partner with Architecture community, End User Computing, Enterprise Compute and Security to architect, and design solutions that align to standards and best practices.
• Experience successfully leading complex cross-functional network domain initiatives, providing direction, establishing consistency, and communicating a unified network vision.
• Direct experience facilitating discussions with senior leadership regarding technical / architectural trade-offs, best practices, and risk mitigation. Presenting business cases with financial justifications for business investments.
• Successful track record developing architectural standards within global technology domains and sub-domains, defining and implementing global quality and consistency
• Successful track record selecting and evaluating new network technology that will adhere to innovative industry trends and practices
• Acts as a network technology evangelist, driving adoption of innovative solutions and consulting on complex issues to future-proof operations infrastructure strategies

• Leverage knowledge to support design innovations and development. This includes software-defined networking, cloud, data center, network automation, virtualization, NetCONF (and comparable protocols), and open-source technologies as wells as traditional network technologies.
• Research and evaluate new hardware, software, and virtualized products and solutions to support Core, Edge, and Aggregation network layers. Focus on cost-savings, scalability, and reliability.
• Work collaboratively with other network engineers, operations engineers, Product Management team, vendors, technicians, and various levels of management.
• Explore, investigate, test, and develop various SD-WAN methods, IoT, automation, internet network security, and other devices/products in residential, business, and enterprise settings. Ensure full stack integration is achievable and network design architectures support device/product needs - including QoS and network traffic prioritization.
• Collectively develop roadmap and structure for future network orchestration, automation, and device provisioning systems.
• Create and maintain Best Practice documentation and other reference materials needed to document technology policies, procedures, and methods.
• Spearhead first-time installations by accurately, thoroughly, and efficiently detailing requirements to stakeholders. Collaborative approach with a strong focus on details and accuracy is a must.
• Evaluate and develop new technologies, vendor products and equipment - including development and execution of Proof of Concept testing procedures with no predetermined bias. Lead Alpha and Beta testing by working with Engineering and Operations team members.
• Participate in network planning and network deployment strategies development.
• Engineer network methods that are repeatable, scalable, and easily deployable across Ascension's network, avoiding one-off solutions.
• Be a continuous subject matter expert. Expected to be a go-to resource.
• Create detailed planning documentation of Ascension's network systems and topologies - new and pending.
• Provide assistance as needed to the Engineering and Operations teams for implementation, troubleshooting, and repair of network installations and deployments.
• Participate in vendor selection and maintain strong relationships with Ascension's vendors.
• Act as an ambassador and promoter of Ascension's products and must pursue a "life made easy" approach for our external and internal customers.
• Other related tasks as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree
• 7 years' experience in the design, development, configuring and implementation of enterprise networks with diverse solutions from multiple vendors on a large enterprise and global scale.
• Professional certifications desired, detailed examples of successful execution and experience preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of network and data center architecture, including cloud architectures in design, implementation, and operations such as Google, Web services, Amazon, and Azure.
• Knowledge of networking infrastructure suppliers and service offerings including or similar to Cisco,Extreme, Viptela, Riverbed, Zscaler, AT&T, Lumen (CentruyLink), etc.
• Knowledge of security design principles ensuring secure, scalable, and supportable network design architectures.

• High school diploma/GED with 2 years of experience, or Associate's degree, or Bachelor's degree required.