Role:- CCIE-Certified Network Architect
Location: Boston, MA
Work Arrangement: Onsite, no local OK but they will have to relocate on own and work 100% onsite
Estimated Contract Hours: 4 months+
Key Skills: active CCIE Certification, Cisco
Position Overview
Seeking a CCIE-certified Network Architect to deliver advanced network architecture, engineering, and operational support across enterprise Cisco networking environments. This role requires strategic-level network design expertise combined with hands-on troubleshooting, infrastructure optimization, lifecycle management, and production operations support.
The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of Layer 1–4 networking, Cisco routing and switching technologies, network protocols, high-availability design, and data center networking concepts.
Key Responsibilities
- Support daily network operations to maintain availability, performance, and operational continuity across production environments.
- Perform Layer 2 and Layer 3 troubleshooting across Cisco routing and switching platforms, including IOS, IOS-XE, and IOS-XR.
- Assist with routing protocol redistribution, configuration changes, and formal network change management.
- Support network patching, software upgrades, infrastructure migrations, and technology lifecycle activities.
- Conduct root cause analysis (RCA), identify recurring issues, and recommend network performance and reliability improvements.
- Contribute to network security hardening and support incident response activities.
- Maintain accurate network documentation, including topology diagrams, SAN mappings, and configuration records.
- Provide knowledge transfer and technical guidance to strengthen internal network operations capabilities.
- Apply network architecture best practices to support scalability, resiliency, and operational efficiency.
Required Qualifications
- Active CCIE certification required.
- Strong Cisco networking expertise across enterprise routing and switching environments.
- Deep understanding of OSI model Layers 1–4, including physical connectivity, Ethernet, IP addressing, routing, and transport protocols.
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex Layer 2 and Layer 3 network issues.
- Experience with Cisco IOS, IOS-XE, and IOS-XR.
- Strong understanding of routing protocols, protocol redistribution, link aggregation, spanning tree, and network change management.
- Ability to operate at both the network architecture and hands-on engineering levels.
- Strong documentation, root cause analysis, and technical communication skills.
Technical Knowledge Areas
Candidates should be prepared to explain and defend technical design decisions in the following areas:
Cisco Networking and Physical Connectivity
- OSI model Layers 1–4 and their application to enterprise networking.
- Functional differences between SFP, SFP+, and QSFP transceivers, including supported speeds and use cases.
Layer 2 Switching and High Availability
- Common spanning tree protocols and the factors that drive protocol selection in different environments.
- Static port-channeling as an alternative to LACP or PAgP, including configuration requirements, benefits, and operational risks.
- Common iSCSI-related switch configuration considerations, including VLANs, MTU, flow control where applicable, and network isolation.
Layer 3 Routing and Data Center Architecture
- Routing protocol redistribution, associated risks, and loop-prevention considerations.
- Use of /31 point-to-point subnets versus unnumbered interfaces in dynamic routing designs.
- Application of /31 addressing and unnumbered interfaces within leaf-spine data center network architectures.
Engagement Details
- Onsite engagement in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Estimated total contract duration: 680 hours.
- CCIE certification is a mandatory requirement.
