3609 Sr. Network Architect, Security & Operations

Our client is powering the movement of products around the world as a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of freight rail transportation equipment and services. They are looking for a Sr. Network Architect (Security & Operations) who will serve as a key technical leader, defining the strategic direction and future state of our network and security infrastructure. This role requires a visionary who can architect and govern the design of our network platforms while serving as the primary technical authority for their managed service provider (MSP). This is a hands-on role for a seasoned expert who can lead a complex, legacy environment through a complete security and modernization transformation. Does this sound like you? Then please apply! We value diversity in the workplace and encourage women, minorities, and veterans to apply. Thank you! Location: Hybrid-Portland, OR area Type: Perm Duties and Responsibilities Network Architecture & Security Leadership

• Define and govern the architecture, design standards, and lifecycle management for all network and security platforms, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Serve as the principal authority for all network security postures, designing and implementing enterprise-wide security frameworks.
• Pioneer the configuration and hardening of all deployed firewalls, including Cisco Meraki and Fortinet, setting a benchmark for secure network configurations.
• Establish the strategic roadmap for high-throughput WAN links and lead the technical direction of vendor relationships for transport services and dark fiber.
• Architect and oversee the implementation of organization-wide traffic isolation measures and cloud interconnects, setting a standard for multi-tenant security.
• Define the long-term strategy for modernizing our aging wireless infrastructure.

Strategic Planning & Technical Governance

• Lead the assessment and modernization of data centers, establishing the gold standard for resilience, high-availability (HA), and disaster recovery (DR) preparedness aligned with Uptime Tier, NIST, and ITIL standards.
• Act as the primary technical liaison for the network MSP, providing governance and ensuring all operational activities align with our architectural vision and security policies.
• Pioneer the cloud suitability analysis using a modified 6-R framework, providing a definitive technical and financial justification for each workload's migration path.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives and provide the technical expertise required for executive-level decision-making.

Technical Execution & Mentorship

• Serve as the ultimate escalation point for complex networking issues, ensuring rapid resolution and establishing new procedures to prevent recurrence.
• Champion the adoption of infrastructure-as-code tools and network automation, setting the direction for technical best practices.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineering teams across the organization, fostering a culture of operational excellence and security awareness.
• Lead the creation of all infrastructure documentation and SOPs, ensuring they meet the highest standards for operational handoff and knowledge transfer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Principal Architect or equivalent, with a track record of defining and implementing enterprise-wide network and security strategies.
• Deep and demonstrable expertise in Cisco Meraki and Fortinet, with the ability to design complex, large-scale network and security solutions.
• Expert-level knowledge of network routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), WAN technologies, and network performance optimization.
• Extensive experience with cloud networking in Azure, including the design and governance of virtual firewalls and cloud-native network security.
• A strong understanding of cybersecurity frameworks and the ability to translate them into actionable network designs.
• Experience managing and governing large-scale MSP relationships.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence C-level executives and cross-functional teams.
• Relevant industry certifications such as Fortinet NSE 7/8, CCNP Security, or CISSP.

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