Network Architect

Artisan Field, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Artisan Field, Inc. in Chicago is seeking a senior network engineer to lead data-center routing and switching, SD-WAN integrations, and cloud connectivity initiatives. You will design, deploy, and optimize enterprise networks across on-premises, colocation, and public cloud environments.

The role requires deep expertise in BGP/OSPF, data-center fabrics, and automation tooling; strong collaboration across Architecture, Cloud, Security, and Operations teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of BGP, OSPF, Layer2/Layer3 design, resiliency, segmentation, and production change execution.
• 10+ years hands-on experience deploying, migrating, managing, and supporting complex enterprise and data center networks across on-prem and colocation.
• Deep experience with design, deployment, migrations, routing integration, policy, branch connectivity, path selection, and production troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with Terraform, Ansible, Python, GitHub, GitHub Actions, IaC, and GitOps; willing to learn automation-focused engineers.
• Strong packet analysis, telemetry, monitoring, and observability across hybrid networks.
• Excellent written and spoken communication; ability to collaborate across multiple teams and vendors.

Responsibilities

• DataCenter Routing & Switching: Implement, migrate, optimize, and troubleshoot Cisco Nexus and Catalyst environments; design for L2/L3, BGP, OSPF, redundancy, segmentation.
• DataCenter Network Management: Deploy and operate datacenter fabrics and management platforms (Cisco NDFC preferred).
• Cloud Connectivity: Implement and troubleshoot private connectivity (Azure ExpressRoute/ AWS DirectConnect) and collaborate with Cloud Engineering.
• Global Deployments: Lead hands-on deployments and migrations across private DCs, colocation, cloud, and enterprise sites.
• Tier3 Technical Support: Serve as senior escalation point for production issues in DC/WAN/SD-WAN/cloud environments.
• Network Design: Contribute to architecture discussions and validate operational readiness and risk.
• Automation: Work with IaC tooling; experience with Terraform, Ansible, Python, GitHub Actions preferred.
• Autonomy: Own complex tasks and transition solutions to stable operations with cross-team collaboration.

Skills

Azure

Cisco

Data Center

Network Automation

Routing

Switches

WAN

SD-WAN

Enterprise WAN

Cloud Connectivity

Automation Awareness

Observability & Troubleshooting

Communication

Job description

Location: Chicago, IL, (Hybrid Position)

Duration: 10 Months

Pay Rate: $70/hr. to $72/hr. on W2 (Without Benefits)

Must have Skills/Attributes: Azure, Cisco, Data Center, Network Automation, Routing, Switches, WAN

RequiredSkills

• Routing/SwitchingProtocols:StrongunderstandingofBGP,OSPF,Layer2/Layer3design,resiliency,segmentation,andproductionchangeexecution
• IndustryExperience:10+yearsofhands-onexperiencedeploying,migrating,managing,andsupportingcomplexenterpriseanddatacenternetworksacrosson premisesandcolocationenvironments.
• SD-WAN&EnterpriseWAN:Deepexperiencewithdesign,deployment,migrations,routingintegration,policy,branchconnectivity,pathselection,andproductiontroubleshooting;PrismaSD-WANstronglypreferred
• CiscoDataCenterPlatforms:Hands-onexperiencewithCiscoNexus,Catalyst,anddatacenterfabricmanagement;CiscoNDFCstronglypreferred;CatalystCenteraplus.
• CloudConnectivity:PracticalexperiencewithAzureExpressRouteand/orAWSDirectConnect,includingBGProuting,routeadvertisement,redundancy,andcollaborationwithcloudteams.
• ImplementationLeadership:Abilitytoassessenvironments,developimplementationapproaches,executeproductionwork,validateresults,andresolveissueswithminimaldirection
• ComplexMigrations:Experienceplanningandexecutinghigh-risknetworkmigrationswithdependencymanagement,testing,changecontrol,rollbackplanning,andpost-implementationvalidation
• AutomationAwareness:FamiliaritywithTerraform,Ansible,Python,GitHub,GitHubActions,IaC,andGitOps;mustbewillingtolearnandcollaboratewithautomation-focusedengineers(advancedcodingnotrequired;creatingautomationcodepreferred
• Observability&Troubleshooting:Deepunderstandingofpacketanalysis,telemetry,monitoring,andobservabilitytoolsacrosshybridnetworkenvironments
• Communication:Strongwritten,verbal,andinterpersonalskills;abilitytocollaborateacrossArchitecture,Engineering,Operations,Cloud,Security,vendors,andgloballydistributedteams.
• Seniorhands-onengineerwithdeepexpertiseindatacenterroutingandswitching,enterpriseWANandSD-WAN,andhybridcloudconnectivity

Key Responsibilities:

• DataCenterRouting&Switching:Implement,migrate,optimize,andtroubleshootCiscoNexusandCatalystenvironments,includingcomplexL2/L3designs,BGP,OSPF,redundancy,segmentation,andhigh availabilitypatterns.
• DataCenterNetworkManagement:Deployandoperatedatacenternetworkfabricsandmanagementplatforms(CiscoNDFCorcomparablestronglypreferred)
• CloudConnectivity:Implementandtroubleshootprivateconnectivitybetweenon-premisesandpubliccloud(AzureExpressRouteand/orAWSDirectConnect);collaboratewithCloudEngineeringonrouting,resiliency,andoperations.
• GlobalNetworkDeployments:Leadhands-ondeploymentsandcomplexmigrationsacrossprivatedatacenters,colocationfacilities,cloudconnectivityenvironments,andenterpriselocations,includingplanning,testing,cutover,rollback,andpost-changevalidation.
• Tier3TechnicalSupport:ServeasseniorescalationpointforNetworkEngineeringandOperations;independentlydiagnoseandresolvecomplexproductionissuesacrossdatacenter,WAN,SD-WAN,andcloud-connectedenvironments.
• NetworkDesign:Contributeimplementationexpertisetoarchitectureanddesigndiscussions;reviewsolutionsforoperationalreadiness,supportability,risk,andexecutionfeasibility.
• Automation:WorkinanengineeringenvironmentusingautomationandInfrastructureasCode;familiaritywithTerraform,Ansible,Python,GitHub,GitHubActions,IaC,orGitOpsdesired;creationofautomationcodepreferred
• PrimaryFocus:Engineeringexecution—personallyimplementing,migrating,troubleshooting,andsupportingproductioninfrastructurewhilecontributingpracticalinputtonetworkdesignsandarchitecturedecisions.
• Scope:Deliverandsupportnetworkinfrastructureacrossglobalprivatedatacenters,colocationfacilities,cloudconnectivityenvironments,andenterprisesites
• Autonomy:Takeownershipofcomplextaskswithminimaldirection;collaboratewithArchitecture,Cloud,Security,Operations,andapplicationteams;transitioncompletedsolutionsintostableoperationalsupport.