Network Architect

NRTC is Member Driven and Technology Focused – providing solutions that help our 1,500 electric and telephone members bring all the advantages of today’s evolving technology to rural America. NRTC’s solutions are developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, and include integrated broadband, managed services, smart grid, mobile and video solutions. We are a dynamic, growing cooperative with more than 800 employees operating out of eight office locations. 

JOB SUMMARY:

This position reports to the Director of Network Architecture and Engineering and will be responsible for researching, designing and deploying access and transport network technologies across a wide variety of network vendors and applications associated with integrated Fiber to the Premise based broadband infrastructures. This position will work with various departments within Core Network, Access Network, OSP Planning & Engineering, VoIP Engineering, and other operations and support organizations in the planning, configuration, and implementation associated with our Member’s IP routing, transport/aggregation and access network(s).

The Network Architect will be responsible for providing consultative technical expertise which includes the preparation and presentation of detailed designs and configuration blueprints for complex solutions in the areas of access, transport, routing, and switching. The architect would be expected to be hands-on and would be an eventual escalation point in case of complex issues/outages.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Architecture & Design

This position builds the required collateral to represent solutions including, but not limited to, HLDs (High Level Design), LLD (Low Level Designs), BOMs (Bill of Materials), Product Quotes (with pricing), LOEs (Level of Efforts), Client Proposals and SOWs (Statement of Work).

Client Facing Sales Support – Work with sales account team, interfacing directly with clients. Builds trusted advisor relationships, understanding client’s business challenges and proposing solutions

Develop High Level Designs and Architectures – Create and document architectures that address member business objectives

Partner Relationship Management – Develop healthy and trusted relationships with key partners

Intellectual Property Development – Contribute to the development of NRTC intellectual property and industry recognition (white papers, speaking engagements, etc.)

Develop RFPs/RFIs, oversee product evaluations, coordinate product and service selections, and ensure that pricing, terms, and conditions for supplier contracts meet IT standards while achieving optimal results for the business

Participate in requirements analysis, requirements management, functional analysis, performance analysis, system design, trade studies, systems integration and test (verification) in the development and evaluation of networks and information systems

Research and evaluate new hardware, software, and virtualized products and solutions to support our Members service provider Access and Aggregation network layers focusing on cost-savings, scalability, and reliability.

Explore, investigate, test, and develop various SD-WAN methods, IoT, automation, internet network security, and other devices/products in residential, business, and enterprise customer settings

Ensure full stack integration is achievable and network design architectures support device/product needs including Cos/QoS and network traffic prioritization

Evaluate and develop new technologies, vendor products and equipment including development and execution of Proof-of-Concept testing procedures, lead Alpha and Beta testing by working with Engineering and Operations team members

Lead the charge in translating project requirements into standard or custom technical solutions for a service provider network

Develop, support, and communicate network conceptual designs, engineering policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures with service provider as well as other stakeholders

Validate any implemented designs architected meet original design specifications

Use lab environment as required to provide early proof of concepts for design

Create Method of Procedures for configuring, testing or otherwise modifying network elements, solutions or architectures

Develop documentation for testing, troubleshooting or administrating network devices or network architectures

Develop test plans for evaluating new technologies or features

Develop VLAN model and standards and policy

Develop and enforce proper network segmentation standards and policy model which incorporates separation of voice and data

Design and maintain CoSQoS and packet prioritization standards and configuration based on business requirements

Project Execution This position will also perform all aspects of technical deployment projects, including an implementation plan, methods of procedures, additional technical resource identification, and execution of work

Responsible for leading in the implementation of network designs that consistently deliver performance, reliability, and scalability within the established Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Provide assistance, as needed, to the Engineering and Operations teams for implementation, troubleshooting, and repair of network installations and customer deployments

Program and configure a full stack of network equipment including MPLS and Ethernet transport, FTTP access, and timing equipment

Configure and install software, servers, routers and other network devices

Monitor network performance and integrity: Develop improvements to network performance, capacity and scalability

Effectively manage vendor partner relationships to ensure high performance and cost appropriate service delivery for local site technology services

Spearhead first-time installations by accurately, thoroughly, and efficiently detailing requirements to stakeholders

Specify infrastructure requirements for network building and cabinet sites

Specify DC power and grounding requirements for network sites

Coordinates with Project Managers on daily responsibilities including any high priority projects maintain deadlines and high levels of communication

Visit jobsites as necessary ensure project quality and keeping up with progress with the different life cycle of the projects

Provides oversight to projects and related tasks that meet cost, schedule, and resource constraints.

Manages scope, budget and release schedule while focusing on regular and timely delivery of value

Manages the contractual commitments, scopes of work, budgets, and timelines of multiple projects simultaneously ensuring end-products meet product specifications, requirements, and align with financial and schedule baselines

Directs and monitors team identifying resource needs, performing quality review, and escalating functional, quality, and timeline issues appropriately. Facilitates issue resolution

Tracks key project milestones, adjusting project plans and/or resources as indicated

Ensures that program implementation (designs, development, testing plans, change orders, etc.) are documented

Designs, organizes, prioritizes, and schedules work assignments.

Trains and shares information with other departments to ensure cross functional transfer of knowledge company wide

Participates in job walks and surveys to help evaluate environments for optimal telecommunication operation

Provide detailed network drawings and diagrams and relation as-built documentation.

Issues change requests to service suppliers while adhering to service lifecycle and technology roadmaps.

Provides multi-tier incident support and troubleshooting during projects

Conducts configuration testing, debugging and troubleshooting

Completes timely post-installation documentation, perform inspections and recommend corrective action in a written, well-documented manner

Tier III Operational Support This position will also provide Tier III operational support to NRTC Managed Services.

Assure proper monitoring, runbooks and maintenance procedures are established including providing guidance to any managed services providers who perform these functions on behalf of our members.

Act as an escalation point, providing 3rd level incident support for customers

Analyze, evaluate, and communicate network capacity and performance data with the objective of driving improvements to customer’s network

Work with Network Planning to manage growth and capacity plans by monitoring network performance and communicating specific capacity needs, when they arise

Other duties as assigned

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Experience creating financial models, business cases, and presentations based on complex network designs

Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in many of the following protocols and technologies: Ethernet, TCP/IP, OSPF/IS-IS, BGP, MPLS (LDP/RSVP), High Availability (VRRP/HSRP/GLBP), Multicast (PIM/IGMP), QoS, HTTP, SSL, VOIP

Strong technical, analytical, and organizational skills associated with planning, design and implementation of complicated service provider architectures and applications

Strong written and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate complex topics in both written and verbal form

Strong background in Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) based Ethernet Service Architectures and technologies such as ELINE, ELAN, E-ACCESS

Experience with Optical Networking technologies such as CDA or CD/C Flex-Grid ROADM, DCI, CFP2-DCO, QSFP-DD, Coherent Optics, 16-64 QAM

Intermediate knowledge with routing technologies such BGP, MPLS, VPLS, Segment Routing, EVPN, ISIS-SR, OSPF-SR, BGP-LU, DHCP and DNS services, etc

Familiarity with YAML, Python, Perl, or other such scripting languages

Expert level knowledge with Access Networking technologies such as, GPON, XGS-PON, Active-E

Expert level knowledge with Transport Networking technologies such as Layer 2 G.8032 Ethernet rings, MPLS-TP and Layer 3 segment routing

Familiarity with SDN and NFV technologies

Knowledge of DC power engineering with some hands-on experience highly desired

Knowledge of infrastructure (buildings, cabinets, racks) engineering highly desired

Knowledge of OSP design principles highly desired

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Computer Science or equivalent experience

A minimum of 8 years industry experience at a Service Provider or similar environment

Current industry certifications: CCNA, transport and access vendor certifications preferred

PE Preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is typically performed in a remote office setting 

Occasionally travel may be required (10%)

Disclaimer:  The above job description summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills.  The order in which responsibilities, duties and skills are listed is not significant.

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