Network & Security Architect

About Us:

VT-ARC a technical services and applied research company has built an organizational culture marked by four primary values: Teamwork Integrity Excellence and Service. Integral to our success is our staffs enthusiasm for solving tough problems by working together in teams to get the job done. We foster a culture where every employees contribution is valued and performed with integrity while maintaining a fun work environment. VT-ARC strives for excellence in all that is done for our clients and such achievement is recognized through service/merit awards. Moreover we promote a sense of community larger than VT-ARC alone where staff and institutional resources can be applied in service to our country.

We are proud to be the recipient of the Best Workplace in Defense Award by Emergent Magazine an honor that recognizes companies with positive cultures that not only impact their people but also make a meaningful difference in the community.

About You:

You are a Network & Security Expert who enjoys solving complex challenges and designing secure reliable and high-performing enterprise networks. You bring strong experience in network architecture cybersecurity and systems integration with the ability to evaluate existing environments and recommend improvements that enhance performance resiliency and security.

As a trusted technical advisor you work effectively across engineering cybersecurity and mission teams to deliver solutions that support critical operations. You are driven by innovation collaboration and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a mission-focused environment.

Position Overview:

The Network & Security Architect serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting the design integration analysis and security of enterprise network infrastructures supporting mission-critical operations. The Architect provides technical leadership for network architecture data transport systems interoperability and cybersecurity initiatives across complex government environments.

This position supports the modernization assessment and optimization of network infrastructure while ensuring compliance with security standards and best practices. The successful candidate will leverage expertise in network protocols transport technologies security architecture and infrastructure analysis to support operational and strategic mission objectives within classified environments.

This position is contingent upon contract award with performance anticipated to begin on or about September 15^th 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a technical SME for network architecture data transport infrastructure analysis and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Design evaluate and optimize enterprise network infrastructures supporting mission operations and organizational objectives.
• Analyze network architectures and transport systems to improve performance availability scalability and security.
• Develop network designs and recommendations for secure and reliable communications across enterprise environments.
• Evaluate network protocols routing methodologies and interoperability requirements to ensure effective system integration.
• Assess existing network infrastructures and recommend improvements to enhance resiliency and operational effectiveness.
• Support the development and implementation of network security architectures standards policies and procedures.
• Perform infrastructure and interoperability assessments to identify risks gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with engineering cybersecurity operations and mission stakeholders to develop and implement technical solutions.
• Develop and maintain network architecture documentation diagrams technical assessments and engineering recommendations.
• Provide guidance regarding cybersecurity best practices defense-in-depth strategies and secure network design.
• Support incident response vulnerability mitigation and network security improvement efforts as required.
• Prepare technical briefings reports and recommendations for government leadership and stakeholder organizations.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that support mission needs and long-term technical objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science Information Technology Engineering Cybersecurity or a related field.
• Minimum of 9 years of experience in network engineering network architecture cybersecurity systems engineering or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience designing analyzing and supporting enterprise network infrastructures.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Network architecture and design
  • Data transport technologies
  • Routing and switching protocols
  • TCP/IP networking
  • Systems interoperability
  • Infrastructure assessment and analysis
• Experience implementing and supporting network security controls and architectures.
• Knowledge of network security principles standards frameworks and industry best practices.
• Experience supporting secure network operations in government or highly regulated environments.
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and technical communication skills.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting U.S. Space Force U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) Department of Defense or Intelligence Community organizations.
• Knowledge of federal government classified networks and systems.
• Experience supporting mission systems command and control environments or space operations networks.
• Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles.
• Experience supporting network modernization systems integration or enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity requirements RMF NIST and related security frameworks.

Primary Work Location: Work is expected to be fully onsite in Colorado Springs CO. The selected candidate must be able to support in-person program customer and technical coordination activities as required.

Special Work Conditions: Travel will be required up to 25%.

Security:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required.

Competitive Salary: VT-ARC offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to attract and retain senior technical talent supporting mission-critical programs.

Salary Range: $160000 - $200000 annually

Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation: VT-ARC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit R&D organization affiliated with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech or VT). Our mission is to provide superior analytic and technology solutions across multiple domains by leveraging Virginia Techs multidisciplinary research and innovation ecosystem. With unique access to the broad and rich research enterprise found at Virginia Tech VT-ARC forms multi-disciplinary teams to apply innovative solutions to the real-world problems that strain our social political industrial and economic foundations.

To learn more about VT-ARCs Benefits Perks Culture & more visit our Careers page: Tech Applied Research Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability veteran status or any other status protected by law. As a federal contractor we are committed to providing equal employment opportunity and affirmative action for qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process please contact Human Resources at

Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities please visit .