Network Systems Architect with Security Clearance

Role: Network Systems Architect
Location: Washington, DC (near the White House)
Work Setup: Hybrid (on-site for the first 30-45 days, then 3 days onsite, 2 remote) We are collaborating with a well-established federal IT contractor that has consistently been
recognized as a great place to work. They are currently supporting a major federal agency
located by the White House in Washington, DC. This long-term program (7-year contract)
focuses on building and maintaining secure and high-performing network infrastructure for
government systems. What you'll do: Lead and support the design, development, and implementation of IT and network systems architecture. Create and maintain network topology designs that meet both current needs and future growth. Install and configure core networking hardware (Cisco, Palo Alto, etc.), maintain inventories, and ensure high availability. Monitor network performance, troubleshoot issues, and proactively suggest improvements. Work on disaster recovery planning, backup strategies, and network documentation. Stay updated with industry trends and introduce new technologies when needed. Collaborate with vendors and internal stakeholders to maintain high performance and security. Ideal Background: Active Top Secret clearance (SCI eligibility strongly preferred). 7+ years of experience in systems/network architecture. Strong hands-on experience with Cisco, Palo Alto, firewalls, routing, switching, etc. Familiar with security tools, network monitoring, and disaster recovery strategies. Able to map business needs into technical solutions clearly. Excellent communication skills and the ability to support mission-critical systems. Nice-to-have Certifications:
CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, ITIL, F5, CCDP, AWS, CISSP, JNCIP