Senior Network Architect ITS

The University of Southern California (USC) Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) is seeking a Senior Network Architect with an exceptional commitment to service excellence to join our team. 

As the Senior Network Architect, you will be an integral member of the Infrastructure Services department while reporting to the Director of Network Infrastructure.  This is a full-time, nonexempt position, eligible all USC Benefits + Perks available to its tenure such as comprehensive medical coverage, generous retirement matching, and free tuition.

This Senior Network Architect will design, develop, and maintain a secure network for the university. As the Senior Network Architect, you are responsible for conceptualizing network architecture, identifying business requirements, creating designs and prototypes, and executing testing and training activities. The Senior Network Architect establishes overall network standards, guidelines, leading-edge practices, and approved network techniques and approaches. Additionally, the Senior Network Architect acts as a thought leader for the organization's network vision and goals and demonstrates ITS values in action.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the position of Senior Network Architect must meet the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years in in network engineering, network architecture, or related fields.
• A bachelor’s degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Proven knowledge of LAN/WAN/MAN/wireless/VoIP/cloud networking protocols.
• Proven experience with backbone and campus design, wireless network design, on-premises load balancing, security architecture, and/or cloud architecture in large, complex user environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in network design optimization and spine/leaf architecture, with experience building scalable, diverse and complex networks. Demonstrated experience in server architecture, system administration, and security, and ability to explain advanced concepts to engineers, peers and leadership.
• Demonstrated experience with voice technologies in a VoIP environment, and with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Perl).
• Proven multicast and QoS skills. Experience working with software development life cycle (SDLC) models.
• Proven experience monitoring systems and security appliances.  Experience with risk analysis framework.
• Experience working in project-based environments, reporting on project status, evaluating project risks, and escalating project issues. Ability to generate reports, create presentation, and present to appropriate stakeholders, including leadership. Ability to effectively communicate, negotiate, and collaborate with others in a large, diverse organization.
• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional candidates for the position of Senior Network Architect will also bring the following qualifications or more:

• A master’s degree or advanced education and training.
• 12 or more years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience with virtualization and high-density containers networking Docker and Kubernetes.
• Proven experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Perl).
• One or more enterprise, service provider, security, data center, wireless, or voice certifications such as:
  • CCIE - Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert
  • ACE:L6  - Arista Design and Architecture
  • CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
  • OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional
  • CCDE - Cisco Certified Design Expert
  • CWDP - Certified Wireless Design Professional
  • AWS – Solutions Architect

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

The Senior Network Architect will:

• Conceptualizes network architecture by identifying business requirements, designs, prototypes, and conducting testing, activities, and training. Develops overall network standards, guidelines, leading-edge practices, and approved network techniques and approaches. Performs network modeling and planning, and maximizes network efficiencies. Leverages the latest industry knowledge and takes the initiative to experiment with new ideas and technologies.
• Reviews and analyzes existing network infrastructure and its ability to support strategic organizational objectives and goals. Develops testing and implementation strategies, and assists in the development of network technology roadmaps. Troubleshoots and diagnoses network problems, and implements solutions while meeting business objectives. Participates in disaster recovery planning, development, exercises, testing, and actual disaster or emergency events, working in collaboration with security and other teams to create and maintain a secure infrastructure.             
• Identifies operational and business value opportunities, for customers, partners, and key stakeholders in administrative and academic units. Gains insight and anticipates customer pain points, challenges, and needs. Advises on risk assumptions for any variances granted, and provides alternatives to achieve desired end results.
• Supports the network engineering team’s vision and goals, acting as a thought leader for the organization. Maintains currency with technology, standards, and best practices, and works closely with management and team members to implement and support integration solutions and process improvement efforts across ITS. Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with diverse team members, peers, and leaders. Contributes to a culture of trust and transparency, sharing information broadly, openly, and deliberately. Actively embodies ITS values and behaviors, e.g., accountability, strong ethics, and best-in-class customer service.
• This role maintains on-call duties as well.

THE TEAM

The ITS vision aligns strategy, business, and services; affirms ITS cultural values; empowers cross-functional teamwork; embraces world-class best practices; and promotes innovation, excellence, agility, and efficiency. To achieve this vision, ITS is committed to providing a resilient modern technology infrastructure that delivers the performance necessary to meet the demands of a growing customer base. By training in the latest technologies for its highly productive and motivated workforce and providing outstanding customer experience and technology services, ITS aligns with the university’s mission to provide exceptional learning opportunities for students. ITS is creating a workplace where employees can develop cutting-edge skills, take pride in the services they provide, and have access to the roles and career paths that align with their abilities and potential. We are looking for top talent to join us on our journey.

ITS CULTURE

USC’s ITS organization represents a diverse and talented team committed to supporting a collaborative culture and delivering secure and innovative IT services, core to the mission of USC. ITS values accountability, excellence, and commitment to exceptional customer experience. ITS strives for a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages employees to do their best work every day and where individuals are recognized and celebrated for their contributions.

ABOUT USC

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology, and international business. With more than 49,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles and various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

Join the USC ITS team and work as a trusted partner in shaping an environment of innovation and excellence.

The annual base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $230,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The candidate for the position of Senior Network Architect must meet the following qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as computer science, computer information systems, etc., or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. • Eight years of experience in one of the following fields: network engineering or network architecture. • Strong working knowledge of LAN, WAN, MAN, wireless, VoIP, and cloud networking protocols. • Strong working knowledge of spine-and-leaf architecture. • Experience architecting scalable, diverse, and complex networks. • Expert understanding of server architecture, system administration, and security. • Ability to create presentation materials, generate reports, and present to appropriate stakeholders, including leadership. Ability to explain advanced concepts to engineers, peers, and leadership. • Ability to collaborate across a large, diverse organization and effectively communicate or negotiate with others. • Experience working in a project-based environment, including the ability to report on project status, evaluate project risks, and escalate project issues. • Experience working with a software development life cycle (SDLC) model. • Experience with risk analysis frameworks.