CIRRUS9 SOLUTIONS LLC
Network Architect
Company Overview – Cirrus9 Solutions
Cirrus9 Solutions is an award‑winning IT engineering firm that helps public‑sector and commercial clients modernize, secure, and automate their infrastructure. From state and local governments to nationally recognized enterprises, we deliver mission‑critical solutions across networking, cloud, and cybersecurity. Our cross‑functional engineers thrive in a culture of innovation, integrity, and radical candor—working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with customers to translate business needs into secure, high‑performance IT outcomes.
Role Summary – Why We Need You
We are seeking an accomplished Network Architect to lead the design and delivery of complex enterprise LAN, WAN, data‑center, and cloud connectivity solutions. As the functional team lead, you will own the technical vision, mentor a high‑performing engineering staff, and serve as the principal architect for strategic client engagements. If you excel at turning whiteboard concepts into production‑ready architectures—and can guide others to do the same—this role offers the autonomy, visibility, and impact you’re looking for.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Architecture & Design
Design secure, scalable network architectures—including SD‑WAN, campus, data‑center, and hybrid‑cloud topologies—leveraging Cisco SD‑WAN, Meraki, UCS, Firepower/FMC, ISE, and ThousandEyes technologies.
Produce high‑quality diagrams and documentation in Microsoft Visio, ensuring clarity for stakeholders and maintainers alike.
Define standards, reference architectures, and configuration templates using Ansible, RESTful APIs, and infrastructure‑as‑code principles.
Implementation & Operations
Lead end‑to‑end deployments: planning, staging, migration, and cutover for multi‑site environments.
Oversee advanced troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for Priority‑1 incidents, coordinating cross‑functional war rooms when required.
Drive continuous monitoring and capacity management with PRTG and ThousandEyes, translating insights into proactive improvements.
Governance, Security & Compliance
Align solutions with NIST, ISO 27001, and zero‑trust frameworks; embed segmentation, posture assessment, and logging from day one.
Define and enforce network policies, SOPs, and change‑management processes to satisfy both internal and auditor requirements.
Leadership & Enablement
Act as technical mentor for 3–6 network and systems engineers—conducting design reviews, code walkthroughs, and knowledge‑sharing sessions.
Contribute to presales by scoping efforts, producing Bill‑of‑Materials, and presenting architectures to executive stakeholders.
Innovation & Thought Leadership
Evaluate emerging technologies (5G, private LTE, AI‑driven operations, prompt‑engineering–assisted automation) and champion viable solutions within Cirrus9.
Represent Cirrus9 at industry events, webinars, or user groups as a subject‑matter expert in modern enterprise networking.
Required Qualifications & Experience
| Category | Expectations |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent experience. |
| Experience | 8 + years designing & implementing enterprise networks; 3 + years in an architect or lead‑engineer capacity. |
| Core Technologies | Hands‑on mastery of: Cisco SD‑WAN/Viptela, Cisco ISE (TACACS + /802.1X), Cisco Firepower & FMC, Cisco Meraki (MX/MS/MR), Cisco UCS fabric, PRTG, ThousandEyes, Ansible, REST/GraphQL APIs, scripting (Python/Bash/PowerShell), and Visio. |
| Methodologies | Proven track record with network automation, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure‑as‑code. |
| Soft Skills | Executive‑level presentation skills, exceptional written communication, and a mentoring mindset grounded in servant leadership. |
| Availability | Willingness to participate in a rotating on‑call schedule for Tier‑3 escalations. |
Preferred Skills & Certifications
Cisco CCNP/CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure or CCIE Security
Cisco Certified DevNet Professional or equivalent automation credential
AWS Advanced Networking or Azure Network Engineer certification
ITIL v4 Foundation or higher
Experience integrating zero‑trust solutions (e.g., ZTNA, micro‑segmentation)
Familiarity with compliance frameworks (CJIS, HIPAA, FedRAMP)
Benefits & Perks
Competitive Compensation: Target salary range $170 K – $190 K DOE, plus annual performance bonus
401(k) with Company Match – immediate vesting
Comprehensive Health Coverage – medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA options
Paid Time Off: 15 days PTO, 10 paid holidays, and 8 hours of volunteer time annually
Professional Development: Annual training budget and paid certification exams
Our Culture & Values
At Cirrus9, we live by four core values:
Client Obsession – We act as trusted advisors, not order‑takers.
Radical Candor – We share feedback openly and respectfully to help each other grow.
Innovation with Purpose – We adopt new tech only when it delivers measurable value.
Inclusive Excellence – We celebrate diversity and ensure every voice has a platform.
You will collaborate with passionate engineers, report directly to senior leadership, and see your architectural decisions power real‑world missions—from smart‑city initiatives to DoD operations.