Senior Network Architect - Dublin

Location: Dublin, Ireland
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 12 months
Contract Start Date: January 2025
Work Arrangement: Onsite and Hybrid (3 days onsite, 2 days offsite per week)

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Network Architect to join our team on a fixed-term contract. This role requires extensive professional experience in network architecture and the ability to lead complex projects. 

This job falls under the Network Architecture and Network Security category, specifically within IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity. As a Senior Network Architect, the role is highly technical and strategic, focusing on designing, implementing, and securing complex network environments with a specific emphasis on Zero Trust security models, network virtualization, and network segmentation in hybrid or cloud environments.

Additionally, the role involves elements of Project Management and Team Leadership in IT, as it requires overseeing deployments, collaborating across teams, and managing compliance with security standards.

Mandatory Requirements:
To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of extensive professional experience in network architecture, with a focus on Zero Trust models.
• Qualification: Relevant industry certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, JNCIE-ENT, or equivalent. (Certified copies of certifications may be required prior to contract award)
• Driving Licence: A valid full Irish driving licence.
• English Proficiency: Certification under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at C2 Mastery or equivalent.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze the current LAN/WAN infrastructure and create a high-level design (HLD) for deploying a ‘Zero Trust’ network across office locations.
• Document specifications and low-level requirements and develop a roadmap to guide the transition to the new network model.
• Design a spine-leaf network architecture to support on-premises computing, storage, and hyper-converged environments.
• Revise access controls, including ACLs and VLANs, to support a flexible work environment and optimize costs.
• Lead the planning, testing, and rollout phases for LAN/WAN upgrades, ensuring smooth implementation.
• Collaborate with the security team to deploy 802.1x authentication and align the network architecture with cybersecurity standards.
• Participate in weekly Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings and provide progress updates to management and stakeholders.
• Contribute to developing technical standards and templates and assist in prioritizing project tasks in coordination with project managers.
• Incorporate energy-efficient technologies in network design to support sustainable networking practices.
• Provide expertise on LAN, WAN, VoIP, hybrid data centers, and cloud integration strategies.

Key Experience / Skillsets:
Candidates should have experience in the following areas:
 

1. Network Software Development
 

• Proven Experience in Large-Scale Network Deployments: Demonstrated success in deploying and managing large-scale network solutions, ensuring seamless integration, security, and performance.
• Compliance and Security Standards: Strong knowledge of compliance standards and regulations that impact network security, with a proven ability to implement compliant solutions.
• Network Virtualization Expertise: Advanced skills in network virtualization, particularly VXLAN, to support scalable and segmented network designs.
• 802.1x Authentication: Proficiency in configuring and troubleshooting 802.1x authentication for secure network access, ensuring a robust and compliant security posture.
• ‘Zero Trust’ and Micro-Segmentation: Deep understanding of Zero Trust security principles and micro-segmentation strategies, essential for building a secure, access-controlled network environment.
• Cloud and Hybrid Network Segmentation: Extensive experience in implementing network segmentation strategies for both cloud and hybrid environments, maximizing security and performance across diverse infrastructures.
• Documentation and Network Design: Ability to create comprehensive network design documents and detailed diagrams that guide deployment and operational processes.
• Problem Solving Under Pressure: Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the resilience to manage and resolve issues in high-stakes environments.
• Leadership and Team Management: Strong leadership experience, including the ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate efforts among multiple stakeholders.
• Effective Communication: Skilled in communicating complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences, facilitating clear understanding and alignment.

• Network Security Concepts and Technologies: In-depth knowledge of key network security technologies, with practical experience implementing solutions.
• Access Management Strategies: Familiarity with Just-In-Time (JIT) and Just-Enough-Access (JEA) models, as well as risk-based adaptive policies and data protection techniques, to ensure secure, on-demand access controls.
• Micro-Segmentation and Micro-Perimeters: Expertise in micro-segmentation and micro-perimeters to support a granular security model, enabling tight control over network traffic within and between different segments of the network.