Senior Wireless Network Architect

Job Description

Position Duties:

• Design the next generation of Ford's global Wi-Fi architecture
• Test & certify infrastructure including wireless LAN controllers (WLC) and access points (AP)
• Test & certify WLC operating systems & features
• Maintain lab infrastructure and build environments for testing, pilots, and proofs-of-concept (POC)
• Develop & maintain Wi-Fi bills of material (BOM)
• Develop estimates, obtain quotes, and submit requisitions for new infrastructure
• Oversee and approve Radio Frequency (RF) designs based on predictive, passive, and active surveys for both indoor and outdoor environments
• Provide technical consultation to Network Planning & Network Operations teams
• Innovate & experiment with emerging Wi-Fi & RF features & standards
• Continually improve processes & documentation with a customer-centric mindset
• Maintain Wi-Fi configuration standards, security documentation, and deployment guides
• Provide 3 rd level support for complex operational issues
• Work with a highly technical team of engineers to develop solutions unique to different types of facilities (e.g., Manufacturing, Campus, and Warehouses)
• Evaluate & test all wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Cellular, Bluetooth) devices proposed for our Manufacturing facilities
• Drive improvements in automation and integration of Wi-Fi infrastructure with other network systems (e.g., RADIUS, monitoring)
• Monitor industry trends & work from Wi-Fi standards bodies such as the Wireless Alliance (WFA) and the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA)
• Ensure that the Global Wi-Fi architecture continually improves in Quality, Efficiency, and Excellence
• Work with vendors/suppliers on procurement of infrastructure, tools, and wireless survey process
• Develop configuration & deployment standards that can be deployed globally

Responsibilities:

Primary Skills Required:

• In-depth understanding of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) network standards (e.g., 802.3, 802.11)
• In-depth knowledge of Cisco Wi-Fi infrastructure and related systems including Catalyst 9800 wireless LAN controllers, Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6/6e access points, Catalyst Center, and Identity Services Engine (ISE)
• In-depth understanding of networking and IP protocols
• In-depth knowledge of Cisco routing & switching, IOS, NXOS, AireOS
• Experience with Quality of Service (QoS) concepts as they relate to Wi-Fi
• In-depth understanding of Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) & related authentication concepts & protocols such as Extensible Authentication Protocol over Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), Protected EAP (PEAP), and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
• Experience with Cisco Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul (CURWB) use-cases and functionality
• Experience with workgroup bridges (WGB) from Cisco, Siemens, Aruba, etc.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Visio, Excel, Sharepoint, and Teams
• Strong project management skills, organizational skills, personal discipline, interpersonal relationship skills and communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong process mindset - ability to create, improve, and follow effective & sustainable processes
• High standards for Quality, technical & professional Excellence, and driving Efficiency

Additional Skills Preferred:

• Experience with wireless technologies specific to Manufacturing, Warehouses, and auditoriums/lecture halls
• Expert knowledge of advanced Wi-Fi/RF features such as Radio Resource Management (RRM), Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA), Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), Dynamic Channel Assignment, and optimized roaming
• Experience engineering and deploying networks in the 6GHz band (Wi-Fi 6e), including related concepts such as WPA3, Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR/802.11v), Broadcast Probe Response (BPR), Fast Link Setup (FILS), and Preferred Scanning Channels (PSC)
• In-depth understanding of common Wi-Fi clients such as Windows, macOS, and Linux laptops, Apple iOS & Android mobile devices, handheld scanners (e.g., Zebra), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices
• Software development & automation experience (Python, Netconf, Yang, Ansible, Terraform, Go, Javascript, Github, etc.)
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage several projects at the same time
• Knowledge of Software Defined Network (SDN) technology - Cisco SD-Access, ACI
• Knowledge of DNS and load-balancing technologies (ex: F5 Local Traffic Manager, F5 DNS)
• Knowledge of Cisco Hyperflex, Unified Computing System (UCS) and virtualization technologies (VMWare)
• Familiarity with Agile project management tools & concepts (e.g., Rally, Jira, Scrum/Kanban)
• Experience with managing budgets and financial forecasts

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, or Cyber Security
• 5 years of relevant industry experience or comparable military service may be considered

Additional Education Preferred:

• Graduate or Doctorate degree
• Cisco Certifications - CCNP/CCIE Wireless
• Other technical certifications (CWNA, CWNP, RCDD, etc.)

What you'll receive in return:

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage

Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more

Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases

Tuition assistance

Established and active employee resource groups

Paid time off for individual and team community service

A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day

Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-.

For information on Ford's salary and benefits, please visit:

Please see our Company Profile.

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