Senior Network Architect

For more than a decade, Karthik Consulting has been a reliable and trusted advisor to our Government customers, providing independent and unbiased recommendations and solutions to mitigate risk and help solve IT issues. We bring the innovation, passion, and agility of the commercial sector to meet the unique challenges of this competitive space.

Karthik Consulting is seeking a Senior Network Architect with the below skillset.

Senior Network Architect
Fulltime with Karthik Consulting
Location: NCR - onsite
Clearance: Top Secret clearance with SCI


Position Description

The Senior Strategic Network Architect designs and guides the AF Intelligence Enterprise transition from net-centric SCI networks to a common data-centric, cloud-native, zero trust information domain. The role supports HAF A2/6 and AF IC mission partners by developing enterprise network strategies, roadmaps, standards, and implementation guidance that align network modernization, digital infrastructure, cloud-native services, and zero trust outcomes with operational mission needs.

Program Scope
The program scope includes enterprise network architecture, network modernization, cloud-native and hybrid infrastructure alignment, zero trust network architecture, network governance, policy and standards development, performance and reliability analysis, lifecycle planning, tool assessment, business continuity, risk management, and stakeholder coordination across the AF IC Information Environment

Key responsibilities

Enterprise Network Architecture and Roadmap Development
• Develop and execute comprehensive network architecture strategies for HAF A2/6 that support scalability, security, performance, and AF IC mission outcomes.
• Design and guide the transition from net-centric SCI networks to a common data-centric, cloud-native, zero trust information domain supporting joint, combined, and mission partner operations.
• Develop and maintain the enterprise network roadmap and ensure alignment with digital infrastructure, on-prem/private cloud, hybrid and multi-cloud, and zero trust roadmaps.
• Design scalable, resilient, efficient, and secure enterprise network infrastructures that enable reliable connectivity and optimal resource utilization for enterprise applications and services.

Zero Trust Network Architecture and Security
• Guide implementation of the Zero Trust Network Architecture pillar and ensure network governance activities align with Zero Trust principles, requirements, and reference architectures.
• Apply NIST standards, CNSS instructions, IC Directives, Joint Intelligence Standards, and DoD cybersecurity requirements to network architecture planning and security recommendations.
• Develop and maintain network security policies and procedures that safeguard sensitive data and promote accurate, consistent, and accessible information for secure network operations.
• Support implementation and assessment of network security concepts and technologies, including SD-WAN, SASE, VDI, IDAM, DLP, and Infrastructure as Code where applicable.

Network Modernization, Performance, and Reliability
• Analyze and evaluate network architecture for modernization, performance, security, reliability, scalability, and alignment with operational efficiency and strategic goals.
• Evaluate network designs, services, and solutions to improve high availability, reduce downtime, and strengthen resilience during outages or cyber incidents.
• Support monitoring and diagnostic approaches using tools such as SolarWinds, Wireshark, Splunk, or comparable enterprise capabilities.
• Develop or support disaster recovery and business continuity planning to enable rapid restoration of network services and mission operations.

Policy, Governance, Standards, and Compliance
• Define and recommend enterprise-wide network policies and standards that promote consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency across network environments.
• Align technical activities with Air Force, DoD, IC, and AF IC governance structures, policies, standards, and decision-making processes.
• Conduct or support network audits, compliance assessments, risk assessments, and mitigation planning using applicable NIST, RMF, DISA STIG, and DoD 8500-series requirements.
• Create and maintain comprehensive network documentation, technical strategies, policies, charters, proposals, and decision support materials for technical and non-technical audiences.

Project, Lifecycle, and Technology Assessment Support
• Manage multiple concurrent network projects from design through implementation, ensuring solutions are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to network initiatives and IC priorities.
• Develop project plans, milestones, risk mitigation strategies, status updates, and implementation guidance for network modernization and digital transformation initiatives.
• Evaluate and recommend networking hardware, software, and services to support strategic procurement decisions that improve functionality, security, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Assess networking equipment and vendor technologies, including Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, and comparable enterprise solutions, as appropriate for the operating environment.

Stakeholder Engagement, Facilitation, and Technical Communication
• Lead productive meetings, facilitate stakeholder collaboration, document decisions and action items, and coordinate follow-up across multiple organizations and teams.
• Translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and actionable language for technical leaders, non-technical stakeholders, and senior decision-makers.
• Conduct research, analysis, and policy development to inform recommendations, solve complex problems, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Prepare official-style documentation, tasker responses, strategies, briefings, policies, and proposals tailored to Air Force, DoD, IC, and customer expectations.

Qualifications

Education
• Minimum Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Education Substitution: A bachelor’s degree in a non-STEM field or a lack of a formal degree may be offset by providing an additional four (4) years of direct network architecture or systems engineering experience beyond the minimum requirement.
• Minimum Experience: 6–12+ years of relevant experience in enterprise network design, digital infrastructure, or technical advisory.

Professional Certifications
• Required Baseline: Active CompTIA Security+ CE (or equivalent DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II foundational certification).
• Advanced Preferred: Strong preference for candidates holding DoD 8140/8570 IAM or IAT Level III certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, or CASP+).
• Technical Preferred: Relevant professional-level networking certifications such as CCNP/CCIE (Enterprise or Security), JNCIP/JNCIE, or AWS/Azure Advanced Networking.

Minimum Qualifications
• 6-12+ years of relevant network architecture, enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, systems engineering, or technical advisory experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• This is an on-site position based in the NCR.
• Experience designing scalable, resilient, and secure enterprise network infrastructures in hybrid, multi-cloud, private cloud, or DoD cloud environments.
• Knowledge of modern enterprise networking models and technologies, including Infrastructure as Code, SD-WAN, SASE, VDI, IDAM, DLP, and Zero Trust Network Architecture principles.
• Experience with standard enterprise network protocols, routing/switching, core services, and load balancing.
• Ability to conduct network architecture assessments, compliance reviews, risk assessments, performance analysis, reliability analysis, and modernization planning.
• Strong technical writing, meeting facilitation, analytical thinking, problem-solving, project management, presentation, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, and task management skills.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in a STEM-related field.
• Familiarity with HAF A2/6, the Air Force Intelligence Community, DoD, IC, joint intelligence, or comparable national security mission environments.
• Experience supporting enterprise network roadmaps, digital infrastructure roadmaps, cloud-native on-prem/private cloud environments, and zero trust roadmaps.
• Experience using or assessing monitoring and diagnostic tools such as SolarWinds, Wireshark, Splunk, or comparable enterprise platforms.
• Familiarity with Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, or comparable networking hardware, software, and security technologies.
• Experience writing in official Air Force style, preparing TMT taskers, drafting policy documents, and translating complex technical data for senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, developing project plans and milestones, tracking risks, and supporting strategic procurement or technology evaluation decisions.