Network Architect (SME)

Overview

AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a 100% employee-owned federal contractor, is seeking a Network Architect / Subject Matter Expert to support our U.S. Government customer and assist with the next phase of network design and planning.

This role is focused on future-state network architecture rather than day-to-day operations and the selected candidate will work with government stakeholders, mission partners, technical teams, and network providers to help define practical network roadmaps, capacity needs, connectivity options, and implementation considerations across Intelligence Communities (IC) and government environments.

Responsibilities

As a Network Architect SME with AMERICAN SYSTEMS, you will have the opportunity to:

• Support planning, analysis, and design of future network architecture.
• Meet with stakeholders to understand mission needs, connectivity requirements, growth drivers, and geographic network node requirements.
• Develop and maintain network roadmaps, design concepts, diagrams, schematics, and implementation planning documentation.
• Estimate network demand, capacity, bandwidth, and infrastructure needs to support current and future missions.
• Coordinate with IC network providers, government points of contact, and technical teams on connection options, request processes, and ordering documentation.
• Support secure network integration across IC, DoW, and federal environments.
• Assist with RMF and ICD 503 related planning, documentation, and compliance inputs.
• Prototype, test, and validate network connections, interfaces, and integration approaches as needed.
• Identify risks, constraints, dependencies, and practical courses of action for leadership consideration.
• Prepare and deliver briefings, technical summaries, decision papers, and status updates for technical and non-technical audiences.

A Day in the Life of a Network Architect SME:

• Participate in stakeholder meetings, technical exchanges, architecture reviews, and planning sessions.
• Gather and document network requirements, assumptions, dependencies, and open decisions.
• Maintain awareness of current-state architecture, known limitations, planned changes, and mission impacts.
• Create or update network diagrams, interface descriptions, capacity estimates, and related technical artifacts.
• Coordinate action items with engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and provider teams.
• Provide clear technical recommendations that balance mission needs, security requirements, schedule, and feasibility.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance w/SCI eligibility is required
• U.S. Citizenship is required for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining a security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, or a related technical field
• 11-14 years of relevant experience in network engineering, network architecture, enterprise IT, systems integration, cybersecurity architecture, or secure government network environments
• Active DoD 8140 IAT II level certification such as CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent baseline certification
• Cisco CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, or equivalent senior-level network certification.
• Experience supporting IC, DoW, or federal secure network environments.
• Working knowledge of IC RMF processes, including ICD 503.
• Experience developing network diagrams, schematics, architecture artifacts, technical documentation, or implementation plans.
• Understanding of routing, switching, transport, firewalls, boundary protection, VPNs, encryption, segmentation, and secure connectivity concepts.
• Ability to analyze requirements, estimate capacity needs, evaluate technical options, and communicate recommendations clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or additional relevant technical training
• Advanced certifications: CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Security, Juniper JNCIP / JNCIE, AWS Advanced Networking Specialty, Azure Network Engineer Associate, CISSP, CCSP, PMP, or relevant cloud/networking certification
• Experience coordinating with IC network providers or supporting network connection request/order processes.
• Hands-on experience with network tools, testing, troubleshooting, prototyping, or interface validation.
• Experience integrating systems, applications, mission environments, or services across secure enterprise architectures.
• Familiarity with compliance, connection approval, security, or technical documentation used in IC environments.

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