Fortune 500 Senior Infrastructure Architect

Our Fortune 500 Company client is seeking to DIRECTLY HIRE a talented Senior Infrastructure Architect.

CANDIDATE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: (Please read carefully before applying)  

In order to receive consideration for an interview referral submission to our client's Hiring Manager for this role, each candidate must be reasonably qualified and comply with the following requirements: 

1) Our client doesn't provide any sponsorships, so you must PRESENTLY be permanently authorized to work in the U.S. WITHOUT requiring any current or future sponsorship (i.e., U.S. citizen or permanent resident cardholder).

2) You must be within commutable distance to either Atlanta, GA or Birmingham, AL.   

3) You must apply with both your current resume AND also your full responses to the Hiring Manager's Screening Questions shown BELOW.

• Your resume must clearly show your personal email address and direct phone number.
• You must fully and accurately respond to ALL of the screening questions.
• Your resume and your responses to the screening questions should preferably be included in a SINGLE (Word or PDF) document, if possible.
• Send the requested information to MPN Diversity Recruiters by either clicking on the APPLY button or via email to support@mpndiversityrecruiters.com.  

JOB SUMMARY: 

This position is responsible for:

• Strategy, planning, roadmaps, and working with Network Services and Infrastructure Solutions on lifecycle planning
• Strategic relationships with key infrastructure vendors, primarily Cisco 
• Research industry guidance, frameworks, and best practices
• Lead efforts in conjunction with Network Services around:
  • Setting and revising standards
  • Creating reference architectures, engineering templates, and pre-engineered solutions
  • Design/engineering of extremely complex infrastructure using Cisco technologies
• Partner with Network Engineers & Infrastructure Consultants on the design/engineering of new infrastructure for which standards do not yet exist
• Lead infrastructure design teams relevant to Network Services technologies
• Contribute to best practices sharing such as capacity planning and Cisco network technology design
• Participate in the Cloud Center of Excellence developing standards and best practices for cloud network connectivity in Azure and Oracle Cloud infrastructure
• Collaborate with architects in other TO organizations (e.g., Application Services, TO Security, Infrastructure Solutions, Telecom Engineering)
• Serve in on-call rotation as Escalation Manager for Critical Situation Process
• Communications, awareness, and high-level education about technology strategy to Network Services

The technology areas in scope for this position include all technologies owned by Network Services. 

Network Services owns all data network technologies, which includes network routing protocols, quality of service, MPLS network transport, SD-WAN, Cisco Nexus data center and wide area data network routing and switching, integration of our network with an internet service provider, cloud network service, establishment of VPNs (virtual private networks), voice call management, VOIP (voice over IP), voice contact center, video infrastructure technology, remote wireless routers, wireless LAN, and firewalls.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills) 

Job Requirements

• Extremely strong technical knowledge and hands-on experience with all technologies owned by Network Services, and basic understanding of the technologies owned by other infrastructure services groups
• Understanding of rules and regulations that govern the use of technology, such as NERC CIP, Sarbanes-Oxley and FCC licensing, as well as internal policies
• Ability to define and articulate the “big picture” long-term vision for the infrastructure, and develop short term plans to achieve it.
• Ability to analyze information from multiple sources for complex problem resolution.
• Ability to design / engineer infrastructure solutions to maximize availability while minimizing cost. 
• Ability to create and evaluate reference technical architectures and ensure enterprise-wide buy-in, adoption, adherence and implementation
• Ability to organize tasks and coordinate various employees, vendor / contractors, and customers / partners to meet project goals. 
• Ability to work independently, prioritizing major tasks by overall impact to the company.
• Ability to communicate and work with all levels of management, vendors, and other internal and external groups.
• Ability to effectively to lead committees and teams, train personnel, and make presentations.

Education/Experience 

• Bachelors in Computer Science or an Engineering field strongly preferred
• CCIE certification or equivalent experience preferred
• A minimum of eight (8) years of service (depending on job level), providing architect, engineering, and support for infrastructure technologies. When relevant technical experience is substituted for a degree, the minimum experience requirement increases by four (4) years.

Competencies 

• Comprehensive leadership skills recognizable by others inside and outside the team

1. Strategic thinker that can embrace, influence, and lead change.
2. Effectively organize tasks, manage multiple priorities, meet schedules, and deliver on commitments
3. Ability to negotiate with and influence others – internally as well as vendors

• Ability to establish and nurture relationships at all levels of the organization
• Takes ownership of work assignments and personal development
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) as well as technical writing
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to relate and connect with a variety of audiences
• Ability to articulate business drivers and how information technology can be applied to meet the requirements in business terms.
• Ability to simplify complex subjects in a way that can be easily understood by less technical audiences
• High degree of focus on quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness
• Recognition of cyber security threats and risks, and importance of protecting the infrastructure 
• Capacity to learn and apply new technologies and concepts 
• Superb diagnostic, troubleshooting, analysis and problem-solving skills
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, is proactive, and habitually removes obstacles for success
• Curious and creative, always questioning, and never satisfied by the status quo
• Assess impact and quantify risk to ensure appropriate business decisions are made
• Demonstrate Fortune 500 Company values reflected in how we lead, engage, collaborate and perform as One team. Safety first, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity and Superior Performance.

__________________________________________________________________

HIRING MANAGER'S SCREENING QUESTIONS:  

Please answer ALL of the questions BELOW as accurately as possible.  If you're determined to be reasonably qualified, you will be submitted to our client for a potential interview and direct hiring consideration for this great opportunity.

1. Do you have 8 or more years of Cisco route/switch architecture, engineering and support experience?
2. Describe in detail, your experience working with Cisco Networking technologies?
3. Describe your most complex networking project or implementation?
4. We provide a competitive compensation package to include a base salary, incentive pay (bonus), and comprehensive benefits. What are your base salary requirements? (Do not state negotiable or N/A; if necessary, list a range)
5. Are you permanently authorized to work in the U.S. WITHOUT requiring any current or future sponsorship (e.g., U.S. citizen, permanent resident)?  Please reply with one of the following options: 

              (a) I am a U.S. citizen, or

              (b) I am a permanent resident card (i.e., green card) holder, or

              (c) None of the above.