Consulting Manager, Architect w/ ADMS experience, Utilities

Cognizant; Newark (NJ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Network Architect to provide design leadership for the ADMS Hardware Upgrade Project. You will create architecture diagrams, define secure paths, draft firewall rules, and document IPs and hostnames for reliable, real‑time operations.

You will collaborate with Grid Operations, OT teams, cybersecurity, and vendors to ensure alignment with enterprise standards and RBAC policies. This role emphasizes documentation, testing, and risk mitigation across OMS, SCADA, DMS, DERMS,

Qualifications

• Proven experience in enterprise network architecture for LAN/WAN, routing, switching, firewall design, segmentation, redundancy, security zoning.
• Experience designing networks for real-time systems or OT environments.
• Ability to document architecture clearly and identify risks proactively.

Responsibilities

• Create network & system architecture diagrams for ADMS components and integrations (OMS, SCADA, DMS, DERMS, GIS).
• Define secure communication paths and firewall rules for ADMS with real-time performance in mind.
• Document IP addressing, hostnames, LAN/VLAN segments, and routing requirements for all ADMS hardware and platforms.

Skills

Enterprise network architecture

Real-time systems

Documentation

Risk assessment

Job description

Role Summary

The Network Architect provides design leadership and technical documentation for the ADMS Hardware Upgrade Project. This role focuses on creating network architecture diagrams, defining secure communication paths, drafting firewall rules, documenting all IP addressing and hostnames, and performing network failure‑mode analysis to ensure reliability and real‑time performance.

Core Responsibilities

• Network & System Architecture Diagramming
• Develop detailed, accurate network and system architecture diagrams for ADMS components and integrations (OMS, SCADA, DMS, DERMS, GIS).
• Document system processes, network flows, and interface points aligned with enterprise architecture standards.
• Support design and optimization of ADMS capabilities within the broader enterprise architecture.
• Firewall Rule Definition & Security Design
• Draft and verify firewall rules and communication paths required for ADMS, ensuring cybersecurity and real‑time performance.
• Define architecture standards and secured interfaces for ADMS components including OMS, SCADA, DMS, DERMS, and supporting systems.
• IP Addressing, Hostnames & Network Segmentation Documentation
• Document IP schemes, hostnames, LAN/VLAN segments, and routing requirements for all ADMS hardware and integrated platforms.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation supporting ADMS hardware upgrades, data integrity, and cloud/enterprise integration.
• Network Failure‑Mode Analysis & Testing
• Identify technical risks, potential failure modes, and mitigation strategies across the ADMS network architecture.
• Support or lead testing of failover scenarios, redundancy models, segmentation behaviors, and real‑time performance validation.
• Ensure network design supports reliability, outage management, switching operations, and real‑time situational awareness.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with Grid Operations, OT teams, SCADA engineers, cybersecurity, and vendors to ensure alignment of network designs with ADMS operational needs.
• Communicate complex technical subjects clearly to technical and business stakeholders.

Required Qualifications (Network Focus)

• Proven experience in enterprise network architecture, including LAN/WAN, routing, switching, firewall design, segmentation, redundancy, and security zoning.
• Experience designing networks for real‑time systems or mission‑critical operational technologies.
• Ability to document architecture clearly and proactively identify technical risks.

Highly Desirable Experience (ADMS / SCADA / OMS)

• Familiarity with ADMS systems, including SCADA, OMS, DMS, DERMS, and GIS integration.
• Experience supporting large‑scale ADMS modernization, hardware upgrade, or OT network transformation programs.
• Knowledge of secure OT/IT boundary architectures and real‑time operational technology requirements.
• Understanding of telemetry flows, control center operations, and connectivity requirements for grid modernization initiatives.