Senior Solutions Architect (Network)

The Senior Network Solution Architect reports to the Senior Director of Network Services and is responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive network architecture that aligns with organizational strategic and business goals. The role involves working closely with stakeholders to understand business needs and create secure, modern, and scalable solutions by integrating various technologies and systems. Effective communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking skills are necessary for success in this role. Additionally, the Senior Network Solution Architect provides guidance and support to faculty, researchers, OIT staff, and technical personnel in university departments to ensure the final solution is aligned with the organization's technical infrastructure. Advanced knowledge of multiple technologies, such as network, network security, wireless and UC is required, along with expertise in enterprise architecture frameworks like TOGAF and Zachman. This role will use Six Sigma methodology to help ensure a commitment to quality and continuous improvement. 

Technical Leadership

• Strong knowledge of Enterprise Architecture (EA). 
• Lead reviews of leading practices and technical assessments of the campus network including LAN, WAN, MAN, Data Center, Wireless, 5G & VoIP infrastructures to identify and prioritize areas for improvement. 
• Work with Information Security Office colleagues to achieve security goals, such as Zero Trust Network Architecture and network design changes that support regulatory requirements for enhanced cybersecurity protections. 
• Collaborate with Office of Research Projects Administration colleagues to achieve enhanced risk controls for research projects, such as NSPM-33 and NIST 800-171. 
• Consult with the Office of the Dean for Research, vendors, and IT staff to design, plan, and deploy the next wave of network design and technologies to support the large-scale data sciences 
• Collaborate with faculty and IT staff in academic departments to identify opportunities for improving the campus network to meet research needs.  
• Lead the testing of new and emerging networking designs and solutions for supporting specialized applications. 

Advanced Network Troubleshooting

• Analyze and troubleshoot complex problems with campus networks. 
• Advise key stakeholders and IT colleagues on advanced network issues. 
• Develop and maintain accurate high-level documentation related to network architecture/design and configurations. 
• When provided access to personal, proprietary and/or otherwise confidential data, maintain such data in the strictest confidence and follow procedures to ensure the privacy, security, and proper use of data. 
• Perform regular reviews of currently implemented switch operating software and leading practices designs and configurations and make plans for upgrades to stay up to date. 
• Collaborate with OIT colleagues to establish network performance management metrics for high quality network services. 
• Identify & resolve network bugs and network performance issues by working with vendors. 
• Develop high-level resource plans for projects. 
• Participate in meetings to gather and document information regarding data, applications and user requirements. 
• Assess network and applications requirements for data and voice networks. 
• Define network design prototypes meeting specific campus needs and present recommended solutions to management. 
• Perform knowledge transfer sessions for EIS and other OIT colleagues. 
• Regular review & implementation plan for best practice recommendations in the Network.  

Professional Development

• Keep up to date with emerging technologies and implications for network designs. 
• Work with the larger higher education community, Internet2, and other research and education network organizations to share and learn use cases for specialized network designs, architectures supporting enhanced cybersecurity, and operational improvements. 

Essential Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a network engineer or equivalent work experience
• Extensive experience designing and analyzing local area and wide area networks. 
• Extensive experience with network protocols, emerging network architectures, and leading vendor implementations of network services and network security. 
• Experience overseeing and guiding large infrastructure projects. 
• Aptitude for learning and sharing knowledge with a wide range of technical and non-technical colleagues 
• Strong interest in working with students, postdocs, and faculty on experimental networking projects.  
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. 
• CCIE certification with lab. 
• Ability to respond promptly and professionally to customer requests.  
• Demonstrated successes working in a collaborative environment as well as independently. 
• Ability to learn new technologies beyond core area of knowledge. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse user base having varied levels of technical proficiencies.  
• Demonstrated expertise and a proven track record of successes as network architect 
• Ability to proactively seek information and ideas from peers, supervisors, and members of the Princeton University community.  
• Ability to handle multiple priorities. 
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ITIL asset, change, incident, and problem management processes 
• Familiar with modern project management methodologies such as Agile. 
• Experience with Palo Alto Firewalls. 
• TOGAF certification  
• Familiar with the Zachman framework  
• Proficient in conducting PEST, SWOT, and Dice analysis. 
• Familiar with Six Sigma methodology. 
• Experience with Palo Alto Global Protect VPN solution 
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to multiple operating systems and platforms such as Cisco, Aruba, and Juniper.  
• Experience with VxLAN overlay, Multicast/Anycast and BGP routing 

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS