> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2118984-network-architect-sme](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2118984-network-architect-sme). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Network Architect SME - **Company:** Ignite, LLC - **Location:** Washington, DC, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $135,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Cloud Computing, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, Domain Name System (DNS), Network Architecture, Network Planning and Design, Routing, Zero Trust Network Access, TCP/IP, Wide Area Networks, Load Balancing, Cloud Platform System, Technical Debt, Juniper, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, SDN Network, Open Network Automation Platform, Cisco - **Published:** August 19, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/jobad/usa3b9c79f74422f33615f0f4bdb10eb80 ## About the Role * 12+ years of experience in network engineering, including significant architecture responsibility at enterprise scale. * Strong fundamentals in TCP/IP, routing, switching, segmentation, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, load balancing, resiliency, performance, monitoring, and security. * Demonstrated experience producing technical network designs and supporting implementation, testing, troubleshooting, and operational transition. * Ability to work across cloud and on-premises boundaries and through formal security/architecture review processes. * Strong documentation and communication skills, with experience presenting designs and tradeoffs to both engineers and leadership. * U.S. Citizenship Required. Nice to Have * Direct federal, government, or large distributed enterprise network experience. * Relevant Cisco, Juniper, cloud networking, SD-WAN, wireless, security, or architecture certifications. * Experience with network automation, infrastructure as code, software-defined networking, zero trust, SASE/SSE, and observability. * Experience with enterprise architecture repositories and technology standards/roadmaps. ## Description We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Network Architect to join our team supporting a large-scale federal modernization program. This role owns enterprise and solution-level network architecture, designing secure, resilient network environments that support mission-critical systems and shared services across both cloud and on-premises boundaries, and driving the standards, target-state direction, and modernization roadmap that keep the network ready to scale. This is a hands-on architecture role. You'll be expected to produce real technical designs and see them through implementation, not just set direction from a distance. This is a hybrid role based out of Washington, DC. Candidates must be U.S. citizens., 1.Network Architecture & Design * Develop, review, and implement secure, resilient enterprise network architectures supporting mission systems and shared services. * Produce and assess physical/logical diagrams, routing/segmentation, interfaces, connectivity, capacity, availability, and monitoring requirements. * Design hybrid connectivity architecture spanning on-premises and cloud environments. 2.Standards & Target-State Direction * Define and maintain network architecture standards, reference patterns, and technical decisions. * Set target-state network direction and modernization roadmap, balancing scale, security, resilience, and performance. * Align network architecture with enterprise architecture governance and repository requirements. 3.Technical Reviews & Governance * Support technical reviews, architecture compliance reviews, phase gates, and implementation-readiness reviews. * Evaluate proposed deviations and provide recommendations grounded in risk and architectural impact. 4.Gap Analysis & Modernization * Analyze current-state network gaps, technical debt, lifecycle risk, single points of failure, and performance bottlenecks. * Provide recommendations for modernization, standardization, and optimization, including cost/performance tradeoffs. 5.Cross-Domain Coordination * Coordinate with cloud/platform, cybersecurity, identity, endpoint/mobility, applications, data, and ITSM teams, as well as external carriers and providers. * Resolve complex cross-domain design conflicts under fixed milestones. 6.Documentation & Operational Handoff * Maintain standards, reference patterns, technical decisions, configurations, risks, and dependencies in approved repositories. * Support implementation, testing, migration, and stabilization, and troubleshoot complex cross-domain problems, communicating root cause, options, and corrective actions., MANTECH seeks a motivated, career-driven, and customer-focused Senior Network Engineer to join our team in Laurel, MD. You will play a critical role in supporting the enterprise … + 3 days ago, MANTECH is seeking a motivated, career-driven, and customer-focused Network Architect to join our team in Laurel, MD. You will play a critical role in supporting the enterprise i… + 1 month ago ## Related Videos - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [Small, Secure, Interconnected: The next Internet Protocol](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100062-small-secure-interconnected-the-next-internet-protocol) - [An Applied Introduction to eBPF with Go](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1075-an-applied-introduction-to-ebpf-with-go) - [Your Infrastructure Is Not a Playground: AI Agents for Infra Done Right](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2084-your-infrastructure-is-not-a-playground-ai-agents-for-infra-done-right) - [Turning Container security up to 11 with Capabilities](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/718-turning-container-security-up-to-11-with-capabilities) - [Computer Vision from the Edge to the Cloud done easy](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/263-computer-vision-from-the-edge-to-the-cloud-done-easy) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [Why Attend a Developer Event in 2026?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/688-why-attend-a-developer-event-in-2026) - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [What Makes WeAreDevelopers World Congress Different From Every Other Tech Event?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/701-what-makes-wearedevelopers-world-congress-different-from-every-other-tech-event) - [Top Must-Visit Developer Conferences in the US in 2026](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/679-top-must-visit-developer-conferences-in-the-us-in-2026)