Network Architect

Firesoft People; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Firesoft People seeks an experienced Network Architect to lead enterprise network architecture, security and modernization for a Federal Government client in Canberra. The role is primarily onsite with up to two remote days per week after six months, and requires NV1 clearance.

You will develop architectures, oversee complex projects, and ensure governance while aligning with Commonwealth security frameworks. Strong experience with Fortinet, Cisco, F5 or Azure is expected.

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing enterprise network architectures and delivering them within large, complex ICT environments.
• Significant hands-on expertise with Fortinet technologies and enterprise network security.
• Strong experience across routing, switching, load balancing, WAN and cloud-connected environments.
• Experience applying Commonwealth security frameworks to network design and implementation.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, architecture governance and design assurance capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to communicate complex technical solutions clearly.
• Network automation, infrastructure as code and orchestration tools such as Ansible.
• Zero Trust architecture, network segmentation and contemporary security patterns.
• Relevant Fortinet, Cisco, F5 or Azure certifications.
• Experience in Federal Government or similarly regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise network architectures, standards, design patterns and roadmaps.
• Translate business, security and operational requirements into practical network solutions.
• Lead the design and implementation of complex network projects and technology refresh initiatives.
• Produce high-level and detailed network designs, along with implementation guidance.
• Provide architecture assurance, technical governance and design oversight across concurrent initiatives.
• Design and implement network security controls aligned with the ISM, PSPF and Essential Eight.
• Improve network resilience, monitoring, automation and operational supportability.
• Support capacity planning, technology lifecycle management and network modernisation.
• Work closely with business stakeholders, security teams, architects and operational support teams.

Skills

Enterprise network design

Fortinet technologies

Network security

Routing & switching

WAN & cloud

Security frameworks

Ansible IaC

Zero Trust

Certifications

Stakeholder engagement

Architecture governance

Leadership

Tools

Fortinet

Cisco

F5

Azure

Job description

Firesoft People is seeking an experienced Network Architect to support a Federal Government client. The role will provide strategic and technical leadership across enterprise network architecture, security and modernisation in a complex multi-vendor environment.

• Initial 12-month contract with up to two 12-month extensions
• Canberra location, primarily onsite
• Up to 2 days per week remote may be negotiated after 6 months, subject to approval
• NV1 security clearance
• An Organisational Suitability Assessment is required before commencement

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise network architectures, standards, design patterns and roadmaps.
• Translate business, security and operational requirements into practical network solutions.
• Lead the design and implementation of complex network projects and technology refresh initiatives.
• Produce high-level and detailed network designs, along with implementation guidance.
• Provide architecture assurance, technical governance and design oversight across concurrent initiatives.
• Design and implement network security controls aligned with the ISM, PSPF and Essential Eight.
• Improve network resilience, monitoring, automation and operational supportability.
• Support capacity planning, technology lifecycle management and network modernisation.
• Work closely with business stakeholders, security teams, architects and operational support teams.

Skills and experience

• Proven experience developing enterprise network architectures and delivering them within large, complex ICT environments.
• Significant hands-on expertise with Fortinet technologies and enterprise network security.
• Strong experience across routing, switching, load balancing, WAN and cloud-connected environments.
• Experience applying Commonwealth security frameworks to network design and implementation.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, architecture governance and design assurance capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to communicate complex technical solutions clearly.
• Network automation, infrastructure as code and orchestration tools such as Ansible.
• Zero Trust architecture, network segmentation and contemporary security patterns.
• Relevant Fortinet, Cisco, F5 or Azure certifications.
• Experience in Federal Government or similarly regulated environments.

Client submissions close Tuesday, 15 September 2026 at 10am Canberra time.

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