Systems Solutions Architect

Why do you need to choose between doing important work and having a fulfilling life? At Ardent, we have both. Ardent employees are committed to solving our customers’ most difficult problems—and we are committed to the well-being, personal goals, and professional development of our employee. We are “All In.” We put forth our strongest effort possible to get the mission accomplished and we do it together. We respect the skills and experience you bring to the Ardent team. And we provide a rewarding environment to help you succeed. 

We offer highly competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and an exceptional culture that embraces flexibility, innovation, collaboration, and career growth. A collective service mindset underpins our work, and a shared camaraderie to serve clients, colleagues and our communities set us apart. Our full commitment to being "All In" for our employees and our clients is not just our approach, it is our standard. If this sounds like the perfect fit for you, choose Ardent and make a difference with us. 

Ardent’s parent company, Mission1st is seeking a Systems Solutions Architect to join our team.  

This role is located in the Tyson’s Corner area of Virginia or San Juan, Puerto Rico and will require a hybrid/on-site presence and the availability and willingness to travel internationally.

Position Description:

We are currently seeking an experienced Systems Solutions Architect to join our IT professional services team, dedicated to offering exceptional support and innovative solutions supporting our parent company, Mission1st, subsidiaries, and Federal government programs. This role demands profound knowledge and expertise in network design and security, compliance with federal IT standards, and adherence to certification protocols such as ISO and CMMI. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking individual who is not only skilled in network maintenance but also continually seeks innovative approaches to enhance system efficiency and security. This position also includes support to the innovation group working in AI/ML and other extensions of support to IT and network related projects such as IT audits and due diligence reviews of acquisition targets.

Responsibilities:

Network Development and Maintenance:

• Design, implement, and manage on-premise and virtualized networks within the federal infrastructure following best practices and operational requirements.
• Configure, install, and support network equipment including routers, proxy servers, switches, WAN accelerators, DNS and DHCP, etc.
• Proactively update network infrastructure, as well as diagnose and repair issues.

Network Security:

• Develop and implement robust security protocols and procedures to ensure the highest network security to safeguard information against unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure.
• Conduct regular system audits and vulnerability assessments, including intrusion detection/prevention and virus protection.
• Manage firewall administration and rule changes, VPN gateway, and end-point security access.

Compliance and Documentation:

• Ensure all network systems are compliant with industry standards of quality management and process improvement (like ISO and CMMI) and adhere to federal IT regulations.
• Maintain meticulous documentation regarding network configurations, networked equipment, and security measures.
• Prepare and maintain necessary compliance reports and respond to audit findings while making recommendations for correcting non-compliant conditions.

Innovation and Research:

• Keep current with the latest technology; understand where the government can utilize new technologies to improve services.
• Conduct research and propose innovative and cost-effective network solutions to enhance operational efficiency.
• Encourage an organizational mindset towards continuous improvement and cutting-edge network solutions.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with different teams, including cybersecurity, development, and operations, to ensure network reliability, redundancy, and scalability.
• Communicate across IT teams to understand their requirements, explaining complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Provide technical support and guidance to stakeholders and end-users.

Qualifications:

• Availability and willingness to travel internationally.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• SECRET or TOP SECRET Security Clearance preferred but not required.
• 5+ years of experience in network administration or a similar role.
• Certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or other related credentials.
• Solid experience in network architecture, including network optimization, performance tuning, and network design specifics for federal entities.
• Comprehensive understanding of ISO, CMMI, NIST, FISMA, and other Federal regulatory standards.
• Proven track record of managing and executing IT projects within the stipulated time frame and budget.
• Experience with secure network architectures, data loss prevention, identity and access management principles, and application security principles.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear technical documentation.
• On-call availability for emergencies and scheduled maintenance.

Due to the nature of the work, we support, all candidates in consideration for this role must be U.S. Citizens willing to undergo the government issued background investigation process.

Ardent is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.