Network Architect

Location: Columbia, SC

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days onsite per week)

Employment Type: Contract

Interview Mode: Virtual (1 round, video required)

Shift: EST (includes 24/7 on-call responsibilities shared with the group)

Key Responsibilities

Technical Engineering

• Manage internal enterprise backups for agency and branch offices.
• Administer Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) storage systems and Microsoft Hyper-V host/guest VM environments.
• Oversee Veeam backup software and Dell ML3 tape backup devices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex configuration and recovery issues, developing workarounds where necessary.
• Monitor backup infrastructure and security, assisting in disaster recovery and failover scenarios.

Strategic & Operational Support

• Install, configure, test, and maintain backup system hardware and applications.
• Provide expert guidance on strategic direction initiatives and hardware/software enhancements.
• Collaborate with the virtualization backup and storage group to define requirements.
• Adhere to corporate information security guidelines and promote security best practices.

Professional Collaboration

• Effectively communicate with stakeholders ranging from peer engineers to Director-level IT professionals.
• Manage multiple tasks concurrently, providing periodic status updates and documentation in the Helpdesk system.
• Mentor team members and contribute to a growing knowledge network.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Technical Requirements (Minimum 3 years experience in each):

• Networking Protocols: TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, MLLP, NDMP, and NTP.
• Storage: Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) Hardware and Software Administration.
• Backup Software: Veeam Software.
• Virtualization: Microsoft Hyper-V host and VM administration; VMware configuration and troubleshooting.
• Compliance: Experience with projects involving PCI/NIST regulations, implementations, or audits.
• Processes: Change Management and Disaster Recovery expertise.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in IT/Computer Science + 2 years of IT experience; OR
• Associate's degree in IT/Computer Science + 4 years of IT experience; OR
• High School Diploma + 6 years of relevant IT experience.

Preferred Skills

• STIG Hardening and Pub1075 regulatory experience.
• Knowledge of Hybrid Cloud Architecture and Hyperconverged Infrastructure.
• Shell Scripting proficiency.
• Industry Certifications: MCP, MCSE, VMware, or Veeam.