Lead Network Architect

About the position

The Lead Network Engineer plays a crucial role in designing, implementing, and maintaining Carlyle's global network infrastructure. Working closely with the VP of Infrastructure & Engineering, this position is responsible for ensuring that the network systems meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and security. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in network engineering, an eye for detail, and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving network issues. This role requires strong collaboration with various departments to support IT initiatives and ensure seamless network operations. This role is also expected to stay current with the latest industry trends, technologies, and certifications to continuously drive improvements in Carlyle's network infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage complex LAN/WAN/SDWAN/Cloud network infrastructure to support Carlyle's global operations, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security.
• Configure and maintain network hardware and software, including routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and wireless access points (WiFi).
• Monitor network performance using iPerf for synthetic traffic analysis, advanced network management tools and protocols, such as SNMP and NetFlow to identify and resolve issues proactively; and to ensure availability and operating expectations are being met.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network issues using a range of diagnostic tools and techniques, including deep protocol and packet analysis using Wireshark.
• Build and maintain network automations using infrastructure as code (Terraform) or Python libraries, such as Netmiko.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to ensure seamless network integration and operations, providing network support for new and existing IT initiatives.
• Develop and enforce network policies, procedures, and standards, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
• Conduct regular network assessments and audits to proactively identify and address potential issues and vulnerabilities, including supporting penetration testing and vulnerability scanning.
• Stay abreast of the latest networking technologies and industry trends, participating in training and professional development to drive continuous improvement.
• Drive, interact and work with network equipment, software, and circuit vendors.
• Provide guidance and direction to contract staff members.
• Provide guidance to more junior network and other IT staff, fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Prepare and present technical documentation, reports, and recommendations to management, ensuring clear communication of network performance status.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Professional certification (e.g., Cisco CCIE, CCNP, CCDP, AWS SA, etc.) is highly desirable.
• Expert at IP design and management (e.g., defining proper CIDR blocks, etc.).
• Proven hands-on network engineering experience with enterprise scale design of SDWAN, regional, and local networks.
• Extension hands-on experience configuring and supporting Cisco switches/routers (Nexus and Catalyst), Meraki WAPs, and Fortinet's FortiGate devices.
• Proven ability to deep dive and troubleshoot complex issues to resolution at the protocol analysis level.
• Deep understanding of networking protocols and policy routing configurations (e.g., IPsec, HSRP, VRRP, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, EVPN, VXLAN, STP, DMVPN, LACP, 802.11, 802.1x, QoS/DSCP, etc.).
• Expert understanding of the OSI model and TCP/IP based protocols.
• Experience with network diagnostic, monitoring, and analysis tools (e.g., ELK, PRTG, Wireshark, etc.).
• Extensive experience with network security (e.g., firewalls, IPS/IDS, VPN, ZTNA, SASE, etc.).
• Expertise in designing, building, and supporting networks on AWS and Azure Cloud infrastructures (e.g., VPCs, VNETs, Peering, Direct Connect and Transit Gateways, etc.).
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Benefits

• The anticipated base salary range for this role is $180,000 to $200,000.
• Comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement benefits, health insurance, life and disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, family planning benefits, and various wellness programs.
• Eligibility to participate in an annual discretionary incentive program, dependent on individual and organizational performance.