Lead Network Architect

AMERICAN SYSTEMS; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 267,000; Full time

Job summary

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is seeking a Lead Network Architect to serve as a subject-matter expert for enterprise network architecture and engineering across a large, geographically distributed federal network.

The role will lead architecture and design efforts, develop business cases, advise government stakeholders on network strategy, and recommend solutions to complex challenges in architecture, performance, resiliency, security, cloud, and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field.
• Experience with large federal agencies or mission-critical networks.
• Hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud; TIC 3.0 and FedRAMP familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise network architecture across the full lifecycle: requirements analysis to implementation, operations, modernization, and tech refresh.
• Establish and maintain network architecture standards; create diagrams, topology diagrams, and architecture artifacts.
• Analyze requirements and evaluate performance, availability, resiliency, security, and total cost of ownership; ensure policy compliance.
• Develop business cases and ROI analyses for new network technologies and services, including lifecycle, risk, and mission value.
• Research emerging technologies and recommend solutions for enterprise networking, SDN/SD-WAN, cloud connectivity, colocation, automation, monitoring.
• Guide engineering and deployment of SDN and SD-WAN solutions, including policy-based routing and centralized troubleshooting.
• Support testing, patching, release management, change control, field-site work, and root-cause analysis for incidents.
• Architect secure connectivity to cloud environments; align with FedRAMP, security requirements, and TIC 3.0 capabilities.
• Integrate Zero Trust principles; collaborate with ISSOs/ISSMs and stakeholders on vulnerabilities, RMF, and ATO/ATT documentation.

Skills

Network architecture leadership

Enterprise network engineering

Security policy compliance

Cloud networking design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field

Tools

SDN

SD-WAN

Cisco equipment

Cloud networking

Job description

Overview

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority programs through our strategic solutions in the areas of Information Technology, Test & Evaluation, Program Mission Support, Engineering & Analysis, and Training. We are seeking a Lead Network Architect to serve as the subject-matter expert for enterprise network architecture and engineering supporting a large, geographically distributed federal network. The successful candidate will lead architecture and design efforts; develop business cases and analyses of alternatives; advise government stakeholders on network strategy; and recommend solutions to complex architecture, performance, resiliency, security, cloud, and operational challenges. This role will help design and evolve secure, scalable, high-performing network services across field sites, data centers, colocations, cloud and hybrid-cloud environments, while ensuring alignment with agency’s enterprise architecture, technical standards, security policies, and mission requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise network architecture and engineering activities across the full lifecycle, from requirements analysis and conceptual design through implementation, operations, modernization, and technology refresh.
• Establish and maintain network architecture standards; develop, review, and maintain System Design Documents, topology diagrams, logical designs, network taxonomies, and other architecture artifacts for new and existing network solutions.
• Conduct requirements analysis and analyses of alternatives; evaluate performance, availability, resiliency, interoperability, security, operational efficiency, total cost of ownership, and compliance with agency’s policies.
• Develop business cases and return-on-investment analyses for new network technologies and services, including lifecycle, sustainment, supply‑chain, cost, risk, and mission‑value considerations.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies; recommend solutions for enterprise networking, SDN, SD‑WAN, cloud connectivity, colocation, network management, automation, monitoring, and technology refresh.
• Guide engineering and implementation of SDN and SD‑WAN solutions, including policy-based routing, multiple network transports, standardized configurations, automation, and centralized troubleshooting.
• Support testing, patching, release management, change control, field‑site implementation, as‑built documentation, and Tier 3 escalation activities; perform or direct root‑cause analysis for complex network incidents.
• Architect secure and resilient connectivity to commercial, private, and hybrid cloud environments; support cloud migration and ensure alignment with FedRAMP, agency’s security requirements, and applicable TIC 3.0 capabilities.
• Integrate security controls and Zero Trust principles into architecture and engineering decisions; collaborate with ISSOs, ISSMs, cybersecurity personnel, and stakeholders to address vulnerabilities, audit findings, RMF requirements, and ATO/ATT documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Networking, Telecommunications, or a related technical field.
• Experience supporting large federal agencies or other mission‑critical enterprise networks, including geographically distributed field sites and 24x7 operations.
• Experience with cloud service providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and/or Google Cloud Platform; TIC 3.0, FedRAMP, and cloud network migration experience.

Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain Public Trust, Preferred Secret/Top Secret Clearance

Certifications

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification

Pay Transparency Statement

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $159,600.00/Yr. - USD $266,500.00/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance.

EEO Statement

EEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status