We are looking for an innovative Network Architect with a strong background in routing, switching, and optical transport, driven to deliver exceptional results. As a Network Architect, you lead the way in staying up to date with emerging technologies and industry best practices to continuously improve overall network architecture.

What You’ll Do

As a Core Network Architect, you will be responsible for technical vision, design, and overseeing implementation of complex networks. This includes setting budgets and schedules. Your role will involve working closely with cross-functional teams to understand business requirements and translate them into scalable, secure, and efficient network solutions.

Responsibilities include:

• Leadership: Leads engineering and network operations teams with network design and implementation; 
• Network Design: Develops comprehensive network architecture designs that meet current and future business needs. This includes designing IP addressing schemes, routing protocols, ELAN/ELAN services, Quality of Service policies, security policies, and network segmentation strategies; 
• Vendor Management: Evaluates and selects network hardware and software vendors. Manage vendor relationships and coordinate with vendors for product evaluations, upgrades, and support; 
• Documentation: Creates and maintains comprehensive network documentation, including network configurations, diagrams, and procedures. Ensure that documentation is up-to-date and accessible to relevant stakeholders; 
• Training and Mentoring: Provides guidance and mentorship to network engineers. Conducts training sessions to transfer knowledge about network technologies, best practices, standard service offers, and troubleshooting techniques; 
• Collaboration: Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including Network Operations, Product Management, Engineering departments, and other operation groups, to integrate network solutions and communicate activities related to the successful completion of projects; 
• Compliance: Ensures compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards related to network security and data privacy; 
• Troubleshooting: Provides advanced troubleshooting support for network-related issues. Diagnose and resolve complex network problems in a timely manner to minimize downtime and service disruptions; 
• Service Trials: Performs testing on new services; 
• Travels to customer sites, project areas, business related events, and other Ritter Communications locations as required.

What You’ll Bring to The Table

• Demonstrated and in knowledge of modern service provider data networks, technologies, and protocols such as IS-IS, OSPF, BGP4, MPLS, MPLS-TP, Segment Routing; 
• Demonstrates knowledge and the ability to design all layers of the OSI model; 
• Proven experience as a network architect or senior network engineer, with a strong focus on IP networking technologies; 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex network issues and propose effective solutions; 
• Create and maintain a technical vision leveraging industry standards and emerging technologies; 
• In depth knowledge of Service providing routing hardware, software, protocols and configurations, such Nokia(ALU), Cisco, or Juniper; 
• Proficiency in network monitoring and troubleshooting tools (e.g., Wireshark, SNMP monitoring, packet analysis); 
• Experience in designing and supporting IP networks for voice, data and video in a Service Provider environment using SIP, MGCP, RTP, Multicasting, and Unicasting; 
• Proficient experience with QOS technology involving Queuing and Policing; 
• Experience with DWDM transport technologies; 
• Architects must have excellent oral and written interpersonal skills to communicate effectively to with customers, internal groups, and various business contacts in a professional and courteous manner; 
• Skill in reading and interpreting technical documents such as vendor deployment guidelines, white papers, and configuration manuals; 
• Ability to both work independently as well as in a team environment; 
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple work assignments; 
• Ability to pay close attention to detail; 
• Ability to make sound decisions using information at hand; 
• Ability to travel for business requirements; must possess a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record; 
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. Advanced degrees or certifications are preferred(CCNP, CCIE, NRS II). Five years of telecommunications technical experience is essential, with an increasing responsibility in network design and architecture. 

What You’ll Love About Working with Us

Meaningful Benefits

As a member of the Ritter Communications family, you will have access to competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, cancer, accident, and life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability coverage. On top of our already strong 401(k) match program, you will receive additional company funded 401(k) contributions to help accelerate your retirement planning goals. We also invest in the wellness of team members through paid time off, company-funded health savings accounts, and free gym memberships.

Room to Grow 

We understand that career development is important to you. It is important to us, too. In the ever-evolving world of technology, continuous learning is vital. From tuition reimbursement to certifications to paid training opportunities, we provide our team with the tools and resources they need to keep skillsets sharp and career paths thriving.

Who We Are

Ritter Communications is the Mid-South’s premier bandwidth infrastructure platform, providing broadband fiber, telecom, video, and cloud services. Ritter Communications invests heavily in the communities served by deploying best-in-class technology while coupling it with a world-class customer-focused experience and is a leader among regional independent communications and broadband providers, serving residential, business and wholesale customers. 

Ritter Communications is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strive to maintain a drug-free workplace.