Lead Network Engineer/ Architect

Role: Lead Network Engineer/Architect

Location: Philadelphia, PA (Onsite)

Duration: 6+ Months

Position overview / Statement of Work

Lead Network Engineer/Architect is a key leadership role responsible for the design, implementation, and advanced support of the organization's mission-critical global network infrastructure. This position requires deep, hands-on expertise with juniper and Palo Alto Networks, specializing in complex service provider and large enterprise network technologies, including BGP, MPLS, Quality of Service (QoS), and ensuring seamless transport for services like VoIP and high-volume IP Video Surveillance (IPVS). The ideal candidate is a technical leader who bridges architectural vision with operational execution.

Work activities:

Architect, plan, and deploy highly available, scalable, and secure WAN, LAN, and Data center networks using Juniper (e.g., MX Routers, EX/QFX Switches) and Palo Alto Networks firewalls

Develop and maintain the MPLS core network architecture, including L2/L3 VPNs, Traffic Engineering (TE), and Label Distribution Protocol (LDP)/Resource Reservation Protocol (ESVP)

Design and implement complex BGP routing policies for multi-homed internet connectivity, inter-AS communication, and global route optimization

Lead the network aspects of strategic projects, ensuring solutions align with business objectives, security standards, and best practices

Design, implement, and fine-tune Quality of Service (QoS) policies (e.g., queuing, policing, shaping, classification) across the network to guarantee optimal performance for critical services

Ensure reliable delivery and transport of VoIP services, including configuration and management of related infrastructure (e.g., Session Border Controllers, gateways) and their seamless integration

Architect, plan, and support the network infrastructure specifically for IP Video Surveillance (IPVS) systems, including camera-to-VMS communication and storage networking

Conduct network capacity planning and traffic analysis to accurately forecast bandwidth requirements for high-resolution, continuous recording IP cameras (e.g., H.264/H.265 streams)

Design and manage the secure VLAN segmentation and network zoning strategy for all IPVS infrastructure, including ensuring proper PoE/PoE+ power budgets on supporting switches

Configure and manage all features on Juniper SRX Series Firewalls and Palo Alto Networks NextGeneration Firewalls (NGFWs), including Security Policies, NAT, VPNs, User-ID, and Application-ID

Enforce robust network security policies for all segmented networks, including implementing 802.1x authentication for camera and other endpoint access where required

Provide Tier 3/4 escalation support for complex network incidents and performance issues, ensuring rapid resolution and root cause analysis

Utilize network monitoring tools and packet capture analysis (Wireshark) to diagnose and resolve high-level network, voice, and video stream issues

Required Skills:

10+ years of progressive experience in network engineering, with at least 3 years in a Network Architect or Lead Senior role

Deep hands-on expertise with Juniper Junos OS across routers (e.g., MX Series), switches (e.g., EX/QFX Series), and SRX firewalls

Expert-level knowledge of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), including path manipulation, route filtering, and peering

Extensive experience designing and operating Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPPLS) networks, including LDP, RSVP-TE, and L2/L3 VPNs

Proven expertise with Palo Alto Networks firewalls, including Panorama management, App-ID, Content-ID, and WildFire integration

Strong, verifiable experience in designing and troubleshooting networks that support high-volume, real-time traffic, including QoS for VoIP and IP Video