Chief Network Architect Herndon, VA Posted

As the Chief Network Architect, you serve as the final technical authority for the project's network infrastructure, translating mission and Service Level Agreement (SLA) objectives into coherent wired and wireless reference architectures.

• You will chair the technical portions of Preliminary and Critical Integration Reviews (PIR/CIR), adjudicating risks and providing authoritative sign‑off on integration strategies and redlines.
• Working alongside the Director of Engineering, you will design ISP/OSP pathways and rack elevations in strict accordance with TIA/BICSI standards, integrating power, grounding, and labeling requirements.
• You are responsible for verifying complex redundancy, failover, and QoS/NAC behaviors to meet established entrance and exit criteria, ensuring the interoperability and future‑proofing of all designs.
• During the implementation phase, you will translate qualified baselines into installable field configurations, adjudicate technical deviations during Systems Acceptance Testing (SAT), and lead technical adjudication during qualification.
• Your SME‑level oversight ensures the durability of design decisions, rapid resolution of defects, and the maintenance of design integrity to prevent failures during witness periods.
• Provides functional and empirical analysis related to the planning, design, installation, and implementation of the network infrastructure.
• Performs maintenance of file servers and network devices including the restoration of hardware and software. Anticipates and mitigates potential attacks through network or other connections to ensure the security of the system. Works with end users and vendors to resolve network hardware and software issues.
• May develop and administer end‑user training to achieve efficient utilization of LAN/WAN.
• Reviews progress and evaluates results. Performs work independently. Considered a high‑level specialist who regularly interacts and works with senior management. Uses advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work.

• An active DoD Secret clearance is required for consideration.
• Bachelor’s degree and 10-12 years of relevant experience; four additional years of applicable work experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Expert‑level knowledge of network architecture, including ISP/OSP pathways, rack elevations, and TIA/BICSI standards.
• Demonstrated experience in translating high‑level mission requirements into technical reference architectures with a focus on redundancy, failover, and security protocols (QoS/NAC).
• Must hold and maintain active technical certifications in accordance with DoD 8140/DCWF (e.g., Security+).
• Leadership & Authority:
  Proven experience in chairing technical reviews (PIR/CIR), adjudicating complex technical risks, and providing authoritative sign‑off on enterprise‑level engineering documents.
• Operational Oversight:
  Experience overseeing on‑site technicians in the configuration, maintenance, and vulnerability management of operational networks and communications systems.

• Prior experience supporting similar Air Force modernization programs.

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender or gender‑identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability, or have known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at  or  (information about job applications status is not available at this contact information).