Network Architect

SMS Data Products Group, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SMS Data Products Group, Inc. seeks a Network Architect in the DC Metro area to lead Base Area Network modernization for Air Force bases, covering NIPR and SIPR networks.

You will guide the architecture vision, standards, and security implementations, coordinating with government authorities to ensure non-proprietary, transferable designs. The role demands strong communication, 8+ years in network architecture, and willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Minimum of 8 years of related experience in network architecture and DoD environments.
• Willingness to travel as needed; ability to obtain DoD clearance or Interim Secret.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of modernized Base Area Network architectures for NIPR and SIPR networks ensuring compliance with Air Force standards.
• Provide authoritative technical leadership for network design and set standards, architecture vision, and design principles.
• Develop enterprise-level architectures covering wired/wireless, Outside Plant fiber, Inside Plant cabling, and network security implementations.
• Design network topologies for performance, redundancy, and scalability with minimal operational complexity.
• Establish routing, switching, VLANs, QoS, and traffic engineering standards; enable future interoperability and technology insertions.
• Perform capacity planning and performance modeling to meet SLAs.
• Lead design reviews and resolve complex technical challenges; create DoDAF-compliant topology diagrams.
• Coordinate with Government authorities and document non-proprietary designs transferable to Government.

Skills

Network architecture

DoD security clearance

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

SolarWinds

Cisco Prime

Juniper JSpace

NetScout

Job description

Seeking a Network Architect located in the DC Metro area to help manage the Base Infrastructure Modernization (BIM) Task Orders to modernize Air Force Bases.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead development of comprehensive modernized Base Area Network architectures for NIPR and SIPR networks ensuring compliance with all technical requirements, Service Level Agreements, and Air Force standards.
• Lead development of comprehensive modernized Base Area Network architectures for NIPR and SIPR networks ensuring compliance with all technical requirements, Service Level Agreements, and Air Force standards.
• Provide authoritative technical leadership for network design team establishing overall architecture vision, standards, and design principles.
• Develop enterprise-level network architectures addressing wired infrastructure, wireless systems, Outside Plant fiber optic infrastructure, Inside Plant structured cabling, and network security implementations.
• Design network topologies optimizing performance, redundancy, and scalability while minimizing operational complexity.
• Establish network design standards for routing protocols, switching architectures, VLAN implementations, Quality of Service, and traffic engineering.
• Design modular architectures enabling future interoperability and technology insertions including Post-Quantum Cryptography, Zero Trust implementations, and advanced network authentication controls.
• Perform network capacity planning and performance modeling validating designs meet Service Level Agreement thresholds.
• Lead technical design reviews and provides authoritative guidance resolving complex technical challenges.
• Develop high-level and detailed network topology diagrams in DoDAF format.
• Ensure designs accommodate Government metric collection tools including SolarWinds, Cisco Prime, Juniper JSpace, and NetScout.
• Coordinate with Government technical authorities and obtains design approvals.
• Ensure all design documentation is non-proprietary and transferable to Government.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum of 8 Years
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be willing to travel as needed.
• Requires a DoD Secret security clearance or the ability to successfully pass a background check and obtain an Interim Secret clearance.

SMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Req # 2026-5401