Network Security Architect

Patriot Talent Solutions; Knoxville (TN); Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Patriot Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced Network Security Architect to lead the design, assessment, and implementation of enterprise network security across on-premises, cloud, hybrid, and SaaS environments. The role emphasizes Zero Trust, secure architecture governance, and mentorship of engineers.

You will collaborate with IT, security, and business teams to translate requirements into scalable, resilient solutions while steering architecture standards and implementation guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in CS/IT/Cybersecurity or related field.
• 10+ years of hands-on network architecture experience.
• Experience with enterprise networking technologies: routers, switches, SD-WAN, SASE, wireless, NAC.
• Experience with network security technologies: firewalls, WAF, load balancers, DDoS protection, segmentation.
• Cloud design experience: Azure, AWS, GCP, Office 365/M365, SaaS/PaaS/IaaS.
• Strong knowledge of Zero Trust, Defense-in-Depth, SASE/SSE, Micro-Segmentation, IAM concepts.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation, configuration management, scripting, containers and orchestration.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement secure, scalable network architectures for LAN, WAN, cloud, and hybrid environments.
• Perform network and security assessments for existing environments, applications, and new technology initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance on network security architecture, design patterns, and best practices.
• Develop architecture standards, policies, procedures, and implementation guidelines.
• Translate business requirements into secure and effective network solutions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure security and networking requirements are incorporated into technology initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for network and network security solutions across the enterprise.
• Review designs for security and architectural compliance.
• Mentor engineers on network design, security practices, and operational excellence.
• Develop roadmaps for networking, cloud infrastructure, and security platforms.
• Support Zero Trust, cloud transformation, and infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements for security, performance, and efficiency.
• Configure, manage, and optimize security technologies including firewalls, WAFs, load balancers, DDoS protection, and segmentation.
• Design and manage cloud networking solutions including VNETs, VPNs, load balancing, micro-segmentation, and hybrid connectivity.
• Monitor and test network and security solutions for performance and resilience.
• Create and maintain network diagrams, architecture documents, and governance procedures.
• Establish governance and configuration standards for network and security platforms.
• Develop metrics and reporting to support security, operations, and business objectives.
• Partner with IT, cybersecurity, cloud, and business teams to ensure successful implementation and operation of networking solutions.
• Provide Level 3 escalation support and participate in on-call as required.

Skills

10+ years network architecture

Routers

Switches

SD-WAN

SASE

Wireless networking

NAC

Firewalls

WAF

Load Balancers

DDoS Protection

Network Segmentation

Azure

AWS

GCP

Zero Trust

Defense-in-Depth

SASE/SSE

Micro-Segmentation

Routing Protocols

Network Security Frameworks

IAM Concepts

CI/CD pipelines

Infrastructure automation

Configuration management

Scripting languages

Containers and orchestration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field

CISSP

CCIE

Azure Certifications

AWS Certifications

CCDP

Job description

• Network Segmentation Technologies
• Micro-Segmentation

Network Security Architect (Remote)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Network Security Architect to lead the design, assessment, implementation, and continuous improvement of enterprise network and network security solutions. This role will provide technical leadership for networking, cloud, and security initiatives across the organization, ensuring solutions are scalable, resilient, and aligned with industry best practices and Zero Trust principles.

The Network Security Architect will collaborate with engineering, infrastructure, cloud, security, and business teams to develop secure architectures for on-premises, cloud, hybrid, and SaaS environments. This individual will also mentor engineers, establish standards and governance, and serve as a trusted advisor on strategic technology initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

• Design and implement secure, scalable, and highly available network architectures for LAN, WAN, cloud, and hybrid environments.


• Perform network and security assessments for existing environments, applications, and new technology initiatives.


• Provide technical guidance on network security architecture, design patterns, and best practices.


• Develop architecture standards, policies, procedures, and implementation guidelines.

Business & Technical Alignment

• Translate business requirements into secure and effective network solutions.


• Evaluate business and application requirements and recommend architecture improvements and optimizations.


• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure security and networking requirements are incorporated into technology initiatives.

Technical Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for network and network security solutions across the enterprise.


• Review technical designs to ensure compliance with security standards and architectural principles.


• Develop functional, non-functional, and business requirements for new network security initiatives.


• Mentor junior and senior engineers on network design, security practices, troubleshooting, and operational excellence.

Roadmap & Strategy

• Develop and maintain technology roadmaps for networking, cloud infrastructure, and security platforms.


• Support organizational initiatives related to Zero Trust, cloud transformation, and infrastructure modernization.


• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that enhance security, performance, and operational efficiency.

Network Security Operations

• Configure, manage, and optimize security technologies, including firewalls, web application firewalls (WAF), load balancers, DDoS protection solutions, and other network security platforms.


• Design and manage cloud networking solutions, including virtual networks, VPNs, load balancing, micro-segmentation, and hybrid connectivity.


• Monitor and test network and security solutions to ensure optimal performance, scalability, and resilience.

Documentation & Governance

• Create and maintain detailed network diagrams, architecture documents, standards, and operational procedures.


• Establish governance processes and configuration standards for network and network security platforms.


• Develop metrics and reporting to support security, operational, and business objectives.

Collaboration & Support

• Partner with IT, cybersecurity, cloud, infrastructure, application teams, vendors, and business stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and operation of networking solutions.


• Provide advanced troubleshooting and Level 3 escalation support for complex networking and security issues.


• Participate in on-call escalation support as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.


• 10+ years of hands‑on experience in network architecture, engineering, and design.


• Strong expertise in enterprise networking technologies, including:




• Routers


• Switches


• SD-WAN


• SASE


• Wireless networking


• Network Access Control (NAC)




• Extensive experience with network security technologies, including:




• Firewalls


• Web Application Firewalls (WAF)


• Load Balancers


• DDoS Protection Solutions


• Network Segmentation Technologies




• Experience designing and supporting cloud environments, including:




• Microsoft Azure


• Amazon Web Services (AWS)


• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)


• Office 365/Microsoft 365


• SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS platforms




• Strong knowledge of:




• Zero Trust Architecture


• Defense-in-Depth Strategies


• SASE/SSE


• Micro-Segmentation


• Routing Protocols


• Network Security Frameworks


• Identity and Access Management Concepts




• Familiarity with:




• CI/CD pipelines


• Infrastructure automation


• Configuration management


• Scripting languages


• Containers and orchestration platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry certifications such as:




• CISSP


• CCIE


• CCDP


• Azure Certifications


• AWS Certifications


• Other relevant networking and security certifications




• Experience developing security and operational metrics.


• Strong understanding of risk management and cybersecurity governance.


• Knowledge of emerging technologies and industry trends.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to communicate technical concepts and security risks to technical and non-technical audiences.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.


• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.


• Proven leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder management abilities.


• Strong vendor and partner relationship management experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled