Network Architect/Solution Architect and Cognizant

Position: Network Architect/Solution Architect

Location: South Plainfield, NJ (Hybrid, 3 days/week)

Duration: 8 Months

EX COGNIZANT EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Top Skills:

• Enterprise Network Architecture & Design
• Firewall Rules & Security Design for OT/IT Environments
• Network Documentation & Failure-Mode Analysis

Job Description:

The Network Architect provides design leadership and technical documentation for the ADMS Hardware Upgrade Project. This role focuses on creating network architecture diagrams, defining secure communication paths, drafting firewall rules, documenting all IP addressing and hostnames, and performing network failuremode analysis to ensure reliability and realtime performance.

Responsibilities:

Network & System Architecture Diagramming

• Develop detailed, accurate network and system architecture diagrams for ADMS components and integrations (OMS, SCADA, DMS, DERMS, GIS).
• Document system processes, network flows, and interface points aligned with enterprise architecture standards.
• Support design and optimization of ADMS capabilities within the broader enterprise architecture.

Firewall Rule Definition & Security Design

• Draft and verify firewall rules and communication paths required for ADMS, ensuring cybersecurity and realtime performance.
• Define architecture standards and secured interfaces for ADMS components including OMS, SCADA, DMS, DERMS, and supporting systems.

IP Addressing, Hostnames & Network Segmentation Documentation

• Document IP schemes, hostnames, LAN/VLAN segments, and routing requirements for all ADMS hardware and integrated platforms.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation supporting ADMS hardware upgrades, data integrity, and cloud/enterprise integration.

Network FailureMode Analysis & Testing

• Identify technical risks, potential failure modes, and mitigation strategies across the ADMS network architecture.
• Support or lead testing of failover scenarios, redundancy models, segmentation behaviors, and realtime performance validation.
• Ensure network design supports reliability, outage management, switching operations, and realtime situational awareness.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with Grid Operations, OT teams, SCADA engineers, cybersecurity, and vendors to ensure alignment of network designs with ADMS operational needs.
• Communicate complex technical subjects clearly to technical and business stakeholders.

Required:

• Proven experience in enterprise network architecture, including LAN/WAN, routing, switching, firewall design, segmentation, redundancy, and security zoning.
• Experience designing networks for realtime systems or missioncritical operational technologies.
• Ability to document architecture clearly and proactively identify technical risks.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with ADMS systems, including SCADA, OMS, DMS, DERMS, and GIS integration.
• Experience supporting largescale ADMS modernization, hardware upgrade, or OT network transformation programs.
• Knowledge of secure OT/IT boundary architectures and realtime operational technology requirements.
• Understanding of telemetry flows, control center operations, and connectivity requirements for grid modernization initiatives.

Years of Experience: 14 Years of Experience