Network Architect / Modernization Engineer (One-Year Strategic Network Initiative)

The Washington Athletic Club is seeking an experienced Network Architect / Network Engineer to lead a strategic one-year initiative focused on documenting, modernizing, and improving the Club's network infrastructure.

This role is designed as a dedicated project position with an initial duration of one year. At the conclusion of the term, the position and future organizational needs will be reassessed based on project progress, infrastructure maturity, and long-term technology objectives.

The successful candidate will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current network environment, establish accurate and maintainable documentation, identify risks and deficiencies, and develop and execute a roadmap to bring the network infrastructure in line with modern enterprise networking standards, security practices, and operational requirements.

Position Summary

The Network Architect / Modernization Engineer will serve as the technical lead for network transformation initiatives across the organization. This individual will be responsible for evaluating existing wired and wireless infrastructure, designing improvements, implementing upgrades, improving resiliency and security, and creating comprehensive documentation to support ongoing operations.

The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on engineering skills with architecture, planning, and documentation expertise and can work effectively with internal IT staff, external vendors, and leadership stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Network Assessment & Documentation

• Perform a comprehensive assessment of the existing network environment.
• Create and maintain detailed network diagrams, topology maps, and architecture documentation.
• Document network circuits, VLANs, routing, firewall policies, wireless infrastructure, and dependencies.
• Establish documentation standards and operational runbooks.
• Develop asset inventories and lifecycle management documentation.

Network Architecture & Design

• Design modern enterprise network architectures aligned with business objectives.
• Develop a strategic roadmap for network modernization and future growth.
• Recommend improvements for resiliency, redundancy, scalability, and performance.
• Evaluate network technologies, platforms, and vendor solutions.
• Establish network design standards and best practices.

Infrastructure Modernization

• Lead implementation of approved network improvements and upgrades.
• Improve switching, wireless, routing, and internet connectivity infrastructure.
• Assist with network segmentation and security initiatives.
• Support cloud connectivity, remote access, and hybrid infrastructure requirements.
• Plan and execute infrastructure migrations with minimal operational disruption.

Security & Compliance

• Assess current network security posture and identify risks.
• Implement modern network security best practices.
• Improve monitoring, alerting, and logging capabilities.
• Support compliance, cyber insurance, and business continuity objectives.
• Work closely with IT leadership to prioritize remediation efforts.

Operational Excellence

• Develop monitoring and performance management standards.
• Assist with troubleshooting complex network issues.
• Create operational procedures and knowledge transfer materials.
• Mentor internal IT staff on network design and management practices.
• Coordinate with third-party vendors and service providers.

Project Leadership

• Establish project milestones, priorities, and modernization objectives.
• Provide regular status updates to leadership.
• Develop budgets and implementation recommendations for future infrastructure investments.
• Identify quick-win improvements while maintaining alignment with long-term strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of enterprise network engineering experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing and supporting complex wired and wireless networks.
• Strong knowledge of:

o TCP/IP

o Routing and switching

o DNS and DHCP

o VLANs and network segmentation

o Wireless networking technologies

o Firewalls and network security principles

o VPN technologies

• Experience creating technical documentation and network diagrams.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Cisco, Meraki, Aruba, Juniper, Fortinet, Palo Alto, or similar enterprise platforms.
• Network architecture or modernization project experience.
• Experience in hospitality, private club, healthcare, education, or multi-facility environments.
• Experience with cloud networking and hybrid infrastructure.
• Professional certifications such as:

o CCNP

o CCIE

o CWNP

o JNCIP/JNCIE

o Network+

o Other relevant industry certifications

Success Measures

At the conclusion of the initial one-year engagement, successful outcomes may include:

• Comprehensive and accurate network documentation.
• Current-state and future-state network architecture standards.
• Improved network reliability and performance.
• Reduced technical debt and infrastructure risk.
• Improved security posture and network segmentation.
• Established monitoring, management, and operational procedures.
• Documented roadmap for continued network evolution.

Benefits

• Benefit package for full-time team members: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – accrues at a rate of .0519 hours per hours worked to a maximum of 108 hours per year
• 9 paid holidays per year
• 401(K) with employer match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• ORCA Passport Program
• Pet insurance available
• Free daily meal (soup/salad bar)
• Discount on spa services and products

Position Duration

This position is established as a one-year strategic initiative focused on network assessment, documentation, and modernization. At the conclusion of the one-year term, organizational needs, project outcomes, and future infrastructure priorities will be reviewed to determine whether the position should be extended, modified, converted to a permanent role, or concluded.