Network Solutions Architect- Team Lead

Job Description

Title- Network Solutions Architect- Team Lead

Location- Dallas, TX/ Boston, MA (Onsite)

Term: Contract

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Network Solutions Architect with deep hands-on expertise in designing, building, and supporting enterprise grade network environments from the ground up.

The ideal candidate has strong architecture experience across WAN, SD WAN, security, wireless, data center, cloud, and MSP environments. This individual will lead end to end network strategy, architecture, implementation, and operational handoff for customer environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Architecture & Build From Scratch

• Architect and deploy complete network infrastructures including WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD WAN, firewalls, VPN, cloud connectivity, and data center components.
• Develop high level and low level designs, migration strategies, and implementation roadmaps.
• Ensure resilient, scalable, and secure architectures aligned with customer requirements.
• Drive modernization initiatives across on prem, cloud, and hybrid estates.
• WAN, SD WAN, and Routing/Switching
• Design and implement WAN topologies and QoS frameworks.
• Architect SD WAN solutions including VeloCloud and related technologies.
• Configure and support Cisco switches, routers, wireless LAN controllers (WLC), and FlexConnect based architectures.
• Implement advanced routing, segmentation, and traffic engineering strategies.

Network Security Architecture

• Lead architecture and implementation of Palo Alto platforms including Panorama, GlobalProtect, and Distributed User ID.
• Design and support Cisco ISE solutions including 802.1X, TACACS+, Guest Access, IoT onboarding, and WAP integrations.
• Configure and troubleshoot F5 load balancers (LTM/GTM).
• Deploy Cisco ASA firewalls with VPN solutions (IPSec/AnyConnect).
• Integrate Zscaler cloud security into enterprise networks.
• Manage PKI infrastructure and certificate based authentication frameworks.

Wireless Architecture

• Lead design and deployment of enterprise wireless networks using Cisco WLC.
• Implement 802.1x authentication, MAB, WLAN segmentation, and RF optimization.
• Architect secure wireless for users, IoT, and guest environments.

Data Center & Cloud Networking

• Architect data center networks using Cisco Nexus, virtualization fabrics, and VMware vSphere integrations.
• Design and support cloud network architectures across AWS and Azure, including transit gateways, VPC/VNET designs, and hybrid connectivity.
• Operational Leadership & MSP Experience
• Provide Tier 4 architecture level escalation and guidance.
• Collaborate with SOC/NOC, security teams, and infrastructure teams.
• Establish network standards, documentation, and operational runbooks.
• MSP experience —ability to work across multiple customers and environments.

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in enterprise networking.
• Demonstrated ability to design, configure, deploy, and support large scale, multi site enterprise networks.
• Deep hands on experience with:
• Palo Alto (Panorama, GlobalProtect, User ID) – MUST
• Cisco ISE (802.1x, TACACS+, Guest, IoT) – MUST
• Cisco Switching, Routing, WLC – MUST
• F5 LTM/GTM configuration & troubleshooting
• VeloCloud SD WAN
• Cisco ASA (with VPN)
• PKI Infrastructure
• Zscaler
• Wireless (Cisco WLC, 802.1x, MAB, FlexConnect)
• Cisco Nexus & VMware vSphere networking
• AWS & Azure networking

Certifications

• Cisco CCNP (or equivalent expertise) highly .
• Palo Alto PCNSE, F5 CA, AWS/Azure Associate level networking certifications are a plus.

Key Competencies

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem solving abilities.
• Excellent documentation skills—HLD, LLD, SOPs, diagrams, runbooks.
• Strong communication and customer facing consulting skills.
• Ability to lead architecture discussions, produce technical roadmaps, and mentor engineering teams.