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 IP technologies across a wide variety of network vendors and applications associated with integrated Fiber to the Premise and Wireless 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 routing, switching, wireless and security. The architect would be expected to be hands-on and would be an eventual escalation point in case of complex issues/outages. 

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.) 

• Participate in RFPs/RFI development, product evaluations, coordinate product and service selections, and ensure that pricing, terms, and conditions for supplier contracts meet industry 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 

• Participate in the evaluation of new hardware, software, and virtualized products and solutions to support our member's service provider Core, Edge, and Aggregation network layers focusing on cost-savings, scalability, and reliability. 

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

• Work with team leaders to develop new technologies, vendor products and equipment including development and execution of Proof-of-Concept testing procedures, perform Alpha and Beta testing by working with Engineering and Operations team members 

• Work with team leaders in translating project requirements into standard or custom technical solutions for a service provider wide area network and cloud environments 

• Design, build and test of Cloud Networking and Security services such as edge and core firewalls, proxies and load balancers, direct network connections with public cloud providers such as express route, direct connect, etc 

• 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 

• Participate in VLAN model and standards and policy development  

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

• Implement and maintain CoSQoS and packet prioritization standards and configuration based on business requirements  

• Other duties as assigned 

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 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 routers, switches, firewall, load balancers, MPLS and Ethernet transport, 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 

• 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 

• Identify resource needs, perform quality review, and escalate 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.  

• Shares information with other departments to ensure cross functional transfer of knowledge company wide 

• Provide detailed network drawings and diagrams and related 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 

• Other duties as assigned 

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 

  Qualifications 

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• 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 

• Proficient in Cisco and Juniper CLI commands 

• 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 

• Knowledge of Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) based Ethernet Service Architectures and technologies such as ELINE, ELAN, E-ACCESS 

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

• Advanced 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 

• Familiarity with SD-WAN and NFV technologies 

• Strong network troubleshooting skills desired 

• Current industry certifications: CCNP or equivalent certification highly preferred, CCDP, CISSP, ITILv3, etc. 

  Minimum Education and Experience  

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

• A minimum of 5 years industry experience at a Service Provider or similar environment focused in IP routing and core network technologies 

  Physical Demands 

• Work is typically performed in a remote office setting with some onsite installation work 

• Ability to lift network gear (70 lbs.) for installation purposes 

• Occasionally travel may be required 

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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