NETWORK ARCHITECT

Milwaukee County Transit System; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 83,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Milwaukee County Transit System is seeking a Network Architect to design, modernize, and maintain network and infrastructure across four sites and 300 buses and stations. You will lead projects from initiation to completion, coordinate with vendors, and align solutions with IT objectives.

The role requires hands-on technical capabilities, including voice, video, and data services, with on-call responsibilities and collaboration with the IT department to meet present and future business needs.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in IT or 10+ years in IT.
• Five years of direct experience designing network architecture.
• Six years of experience configuring network infrastructure and system architecture.
• Project management knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven track record migrating systems and technology.
• Some supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide Project Management for IT upgrades and improvements.
• Coordinate and supervise vendor personnel for IT infrastructure.
• Conduct routine hardware and software audits of network infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain network communications between existing and new IT infrastructure.
• Configure, test, and maintain security protocols on all IT infrastructure.
• Design, installation, maintenance and enhancements of wired and wireless network delivering voice/video/data services.
• Execute perimeter network security including firewalls.
• Maintain DHCP and DNS services.
• Ensure data integrity and security of network infrastructure.
• Collaborate with service providers to obtain and maintain connectivity.
• Assist Director of IT with budgeting and standards development.
• Document processes and solutions for technical staff.
• Provide rotational on-call support.

Skills

Layer 3 routing experience

Network architecture design

Project management

Excellent communication

On-call / off-hours support

Vendor coordination

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Advanced IT degree or 10+ years IT experience

Tools

Cisco IOS advanced configuration

SIP/VoIP knowledge

Firewalls/DMZ programming

SolarWinds

Ninja

PowerShell / Linux scripting

Cradlepoint routers

Job description

Posted Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Job Title: Network Architect

Department: Information Technology

FLSA Status: Exempt - Non-Represented

Reports To: Chief Information Officer

Salary Range: $82,500- $97,000

Employment eligibility to work for Milwaukee County Transit System is required as the company is not currently able to pursue visa sponsorship for this position.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Network Architect is responsible for the design, modernization, maintenance, monitoring, patching, update and documentation of the network and infrastructure across 4 sites as well as over 300 buses and stations. This position assists with strategic planning and innovative solutions and applies advanced technical knowledge to implement and support enterprise voice, video and data services that align with the Company’s business and IT objectives. The Network Architect provides hands‑on technical capabilities and manages simple and enterprise‑wide projects from initiation to completion for the voice, video and data infrastructure. This position partners with stakeholders, vendors and the IT Department team to define requirements and to develop architecture for scalable and reliable network infrastructure to meet present and future business needs.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE:

The Network Architect reports to the Director of Information Technology.

NATURE OF WORK AND JOB SCALE:

The Network Architect reviews all design plans prior to implementation of network changes; and reviews all post implementation documentation. This position is responsible for managing the performance and production of Cyber security analysts, network contractors, and ensures the established expectations are met. This position also monitors, maintains and updates network infrastructure, phones, bus technology and collaborates with the Network operations manager on server, SAN, phone and VM health. The Network Architect has access to all administrative passwords, combinations to safes, and direct access to highly sensitive information. This position is a level 2 support position and will handle calls escalated from the help desk. The Network Architect also provides support to the other Senior Systems Administrators.

The Network Architect carries the on-call phone during off hours as part of the operations staff rotation. The on-call responsibilities require this position to be available at all times during their on-call rotation. While on-call, this position must address all issues that are deemed to be business‑critical as soon as possible by either coming on‑site or addressing the issues remotely. Any calls that come in during the on-call period that are not business‑critical must be documented and sent to the appropriate IT representative to be addressed during the next business day. During non‑work hours, and during periods when this position is not on‑call, if the Network Architect is available, it is expected that this position will help or provide assistance to the network engineers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide Project Management for Information Technology upgrades and improvements.
• Coordinate and supervise vendor personnel in the development, installation, operation and maintenance of computer and IT infrastructure systems.
• Conduct routine hardware and software audits of the network infrastructure to ensure compliance with established standards, policies, best practices and configuration guidelines.
• Develop and maintain network communications between existing and new IT infrastructure.
• Configure, test, and maintain security protocols on all IT infrastructure, including intrusion detection systems and network access.
• Recommend purchases and upgrades of hardware and software, including maintenance and support.
• Design, installation, maintenance and enhancements of a wired and wireless network that delivers voice, video and data services on corporate production and guest networks.
• Execute perimeter network security including firewalls.
• Maintenance of private DHCP services and both public and private DNS services
• Ensure data integrity and security by evaluating, implementing, and managing appropriate network infrastructure hardware and software solutions utilizing industry standards and best practices.
• Work with voice and data service providers to obtain new service and troubleshoot/maintain existing service.
• Work with Cellular providers and engineers to establish connectivity including APN and PCI requirements.
• Provide assistance to the Director of IT with budgeting, planning, and developing standards, policies, and administrative needs.
• Document and share all processes and solutions in a manor to which any technical staff would be able to follow.
• Provide rotational support of on‑call phone.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced Degree in IT field or 10+ year in IT.
• Layer 3 routing experience.
• Five years of direct experience designing network architecture.
• Six years of experience with configuration of network infrastructure and system architecting
• Must have project management knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of migrating systems and technology.
• Some Supervisory experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Direct experience working with SIP and VoIP protocols
• Comprehensive knowledge of Cisco IOS advanced configuration (includes EIGRP, OSPF, RIP, BGP routing protocols).
• Comprehensive knowledge of VLAN configuration and troubleshooting, DNS, Spanning Tree, NTP and Fiber Optic.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Firewall and DMZ programming and administration
• Considerable knowledge of Active Directory – advanced (create OU’s, Group Policy, Forests etc.)
• Considerable knowledge of Solar winds, Extreme Wireless networks, Microsoft SCCM, Ninja and Microsoft Exchange.
• Working knowledge of Windows PowerShell and Linux scripting.
• CISCO Certified is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Desire and ability to absorb/seek/teach new technologies.
• Ability to use good judgment and experience to resolve complex issues and challenges.
• Ability to take ownership for work and initiative for requests, incidents and problems.
• Knowledge of PCI requirements.
• Experience with Cellular technology and routing as a network extension.
• Experience with Cradlepoint routers.
• Cyber security systems knowledge (E.g. Darktrace, rapid7, Forescout).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Firewall DMZ programming and administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Cisco IOS advanced configuration (includes EIGRP, OSPF, RIP, BGP routing protocols) and Cisco VTP (VLAN database).
• Comprehensive knowledge of PCI requirements.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Desire and ability to absorb/seek/teach new technologies.
• Ability to use good judgment and experience to resolve complex issues and challenges.
• Ability to take ownership for work and initiative for requests, incidents and problems.

MENTAL/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to effectively provide both oral and written communications requiring good verbal expression, satisfactory hearing and eyesight clarity sufficient to read.
• Ability for lifting, carrying, climbing, crouching, reaching, handling, kneeling, sufficient manual dexterity, and eye-hand-foot coordination.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The above are general requirements that must be met for consideration. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of job qualifications or job duties.

Milwaukee Transport Services Inc. (Milwaukee County Transit System) 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, age; military status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.