Network Architect

Cypress Consulting; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cypress Consulting is seeking a Network Architect to provide independent technical leadership for large-scale, multivendor network modernization in the United States. The role emphasizes deep production expertise across Cisco and Juniper, with responsibility for designing resilient campus, WAN, data center, and security architectures.

The position requires extensive hands-on experience, expert vendor certifications, and the ability to evaluate designs, migrate plans, and deliver evidence-based

Qualifications

• Twelve or more years of network architecture, technical delivery, or consulting in large enterprise or government environments.
• Expert-level Cisco certification such as CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCDE, CCIE Security, or CCIE Data Center.
• Professional-level or higher Juniper certification such as JNCIE-ENT, JNCIE-DC, JNCIE-SP, JNCIP-ENT, or JNCIP-DC.
• Hands-on production experience with both Cisco and Juniper platforms, including real deployments, migrations, and failure scenarios.
• U.S. Person status and the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or higher background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent architecture guidance across complex Cisco and Juniper network environments.
• Evaluate target-state campus and WAN designs, including EVPN-VXLAN, SD-WAN, SD-Routing, segmentation, encryption, and controller options.
• Review migration, interoperability, coexistence, and rollback plans across multivendor environments.
• Assess routing, switching, multicast, QoS, IPv6, observability, telemetry, and day-two operational readiness.
• Translate architecture, performance, security, operations, and migration requirements into evidence-based recommendations.
• Produce architecture assessments, risk findings, traceability documentation, and proof-of-concept test plans.

Skills

Network Architecture

Technical Delivery

Consulting

Education

CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure

CCDE

CCIE Security

CCIE Data Center

JNCIE-ENT

JNCIE-DC

JNCIP-ENT

JNCIP-DC

Tools

Cisco Systems

Juniper Networks

Job description

Remote, United States Travel as required Full-time · $100/hour

Role overview

The Network Architect provides independent technical leadership for large-scale, multivendor network modernization. This role requires deep production expertise across both Cisco and Juniper platforms.

The architect evaluates design decisions on technical merit, identifies migration and operational risk, and develops clear recommendations for resilient campus, WAN, data center, and security architectures.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent architecture guidance across complex Cisco and Juniper network environments.
• Evaluate target-state campus and WAN designs, including EVPN-VXLAN, SD-WAN, SD-Routing, segmentation, encryption, and controller options.
• Review migration, interoperability, coexistence, and rollback plans across multivendor environments.
• Assess routing, switching, multicast, QoS, IPv6, observability, telemetry, and day-two operational readiness.
• Translate architecture, performance, security, operations, and migration requirements into evidence-based recommendations.
• Produce architecture assessments, risk findings, traceability documentation, and proof-of-concept test plans.

Required qualifications

• Twelve or more years of network architecture, technical delivery, or consulting experience in large enterprise or government environments.
• Expert-level Cisco certification such as CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCDE, CCIE Security, or CCIE Data Center.
• Professional-level or higher Juniper certification such as JNCIE-ENT, JNCIE-DC, JNCIE-SP, JNCIP-ENT, or JNCIP-DC.
• Hands-on production experience with both Cisco and Juniper platforms, including real deployments, migrations, and failure scenarios.
• U.S. Person status and the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or higher background investigation.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with Juniper Apstra, Mist AI, Junos, and QFX, EX, MX, or SRX platforms.
• Experience with Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst Center, SD-WAN, SD-Routing, ThousandEyes, GET VPN, DMVPN, or MPLS L3VPN.
• Vendor-neutral technical assessment, architecture review, bake-off, or independent verification experience.
• Knowledge of zero-trust segmentation, flow telemetry, automation, post-quantum readiness, and network observability.
• Experience applying FISMA, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53 requirements to network architecture.

Work conditions

• Remote position for candidates based in the United States.
• The initial engagement includes a guaranteed six-month contract term.
• Travel to project sites may be required.