MINIMUM SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, or related STEM degree program.
• Senior level systems architecture work experience for an MSP is required.
• 15 years’ minimum of similar work experience in a client-facing role.
• Minimum 7 years of architecture and project experience supporting and implementing system infrastructure.
• A natural sense of urgency, initiative and a positive team player philosophy to be reflected in daily work ethics; strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Experience managing multiple technology projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and in environments dealing with ambiguity
• Expert technical knowledge in various enterprise technologies such as server administration, Azure administration, or network administration.
• Demonstrate exceptional proficiency in professional conversation with clients, adeptly reading the room and adjusting communication styles accordingly. They will possess the ability to discuss complex technical issues clearly and concisely, bringing thoughtful and effective solutions to every meeting.
• Wireless
• Wireless Access Point installation and troubleshooting
• Heat Mapping / Assessments for wireless
• Switching/Routing
• VLANs, static routing
• Vender Experience Desired:
• Fortinet – FortiGates, FortiManager
• Cisco - ASA/FTDs, Meraki
• Zscaler
• Palo Alto
• Network Access Control (NAC) – Aruba Clearpass, FortiNAC
• Virtualized Networking – VMWare NSX
• Azure Networking
• Certification or equivalent knowledge to FCP for Fortinet, and CCNP for Cisco, ACP for Aruba
• 3 - 4 years of MSP network engineering or 6–8 years of Enterprise Networking
• 3 - 4 years of hands-on experience with at least one of these networking brands: Cisco, HPE, Aruba, Meraki, or Fortinet.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to diagnose issues and develop effective solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring all aspects of the network are meticulously planned and maintained to avoid potential issues.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think long-term and strategically about the network’s role in achieving business objectives.
• Communication: Clearly articulating the design, benefits, and potential challenges of proposed solutions to stakeholders, both technical and non-technical.
• Collaboration: Working closely with other IT professionals, such as software developers, systems architects, and security experts, to integrate network solutions seamlessly into the overall IT infrastructure.
• Client-Centric Approach: Understanding the client’s or end user’s needs and ensuring that the solutions developed meet or exceed their expectations.
• Documentation: Accurately documenting the design, implementation processes, and maintenance plans for network solutions to ensure clarity and continuity.
• Strategic Vision: Understanding the long-term implications of network solutions and ensuring they align with the organization’s strategic goals.

PREFERRED SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Vendor certifications for above technologies are preferred.
  Starting Compensation: $135,000/ year
  The salary for this position is commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications. The range is intended to reflect our commitment to attracting top talent, and the final offer will be based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s previous experience, expertise in the field, relevant certifications, and the specific requirements of the role. In addition, internal equity, market trends, and geographic location may also influence the final salary.
  Along with a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings options, flexible time off (FTO), and professional development opportunities. We are open to discussing compensation and benefits further during the interview process to ensure alignment with the candidate’s expectations and experience.
  At Ascend Technologies we firmly believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only fundamental values but also powerful drivers of innovation, growth, and success. We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered.

CORE VALUES

We are seeking highly motivated individuals who have the willingness and ability to demonstrate Ascend core values:

• Committed to Client Success: Our actions and our words always align with the best interest of the client.
• One Team: We work collaboratively to overcome challenges with humility and respect and do what it takes to find innovative solutions.
• Integrity: We are unquestionably committed to doing the right thing even when it is hard.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves and each other accountable for keeping our commitments to our clients, our communities, and one another.
• Transparency: We create open lines of communication with each other and our clients, fostering relationships founded on candor and trust.

PURPOSE

The Sr. Client Network Architect owns our client’s technical environment(s) to ensure compliance with performance standards, while providing expert technical resolution and coordination of escalated and complex client issues. The architects will also directly interact with the client to help meet service expectations and identify additional revenue opportunities. The Architects help develop practice offerings while maintaining and/or improving engineering technical abilities and service coverage.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ownership of client environment by maintaining strong relationships with key client contacts; providing oversight of the technical health of the environment; client technical documentation.
• Maintain an understanding of client’s business and business applications including an understanding of technical impact on business systems.
• Lead the technical response for Major incident for high priority client outages from initial escalation through completion of the root cause analysis; change management review and approval for normal and emergency changes; problem management for recurring issue identification and potential remediation.
• Assists Service Delivery Manager with new project opportunities and scoping for assigned clients.
• Keeps up with technical trends in the marketplace to assist in solution design, process improvement sales and training engineers and support staff.
• Provide mentoring, formal and informal feedback to supervisors, engineers and analysts.
• Must be comfortable being last level of technical escalation for client issues across multiple technologies.
• Own creating process improvements, new documentation standards, new checklist and implement across teams.
• Assist with performing new client assessments to identify technical shortages.
• Assist in new proposal and RFP responses with Sales team – not a primary responsibility.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by management.