Network Architect for Critical Infrastructure

What You Will Do

Play a critical role in advancing the Laboratory's mission by designing and securing the networks that power essential infrastructure. You will lead the architecture of high-availability, resilient network systems supporting SCADA operations across wastewater, steam, electrical, gas, and water utilities.

In this role, you will bridge operational technology (OT) and enterprise IT, integrating systems across fiber, copper, and ultra-private cellular (UPCN) networks to ensure seamless, secure connectivity for mission-critical operations. You will define network architecture and standards, and partner with cross-functional teams to enable secure remote access to vital infrastructure systems. Working closely with cybersecurity and firewall teams, you will help safeguard critical assets by ensuring compliant, reliable, and optimized data flow from field devices to enterprise platforms. This position resides within the Infrastructure Services Division (ISD), Network Services Group.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience supporting or designing networks for SCADA, ICS, or other operational technology (OT) environments.
• Proficiency in requirements definition and design experience in enterprise TCP/IP networks
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals. TCP/IP, routing, & switching protocols, inlcuding VLANs, STP, OSPF, BGP, DNS, DHCP)
• Experience developing and maintaining network diagrams, architecture documentation, and configuration standards.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, enabling clear and concise articulation of technical concepts, solutions, and recommendations.
  
  

Education/Experience:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

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Desired Qualifications:

• Administrative proficiency with network automation and orchestration tools, including but not limited to Ansible, SolarWinds, Arista's CloudVision, and Cisco's DNA Center, to streamline
• Knowledge of cellular/private LTE/5G networking technologies (e.g., UPCN or similar private wireless systems).
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP, JNCIA, JNCDA, or equivalent) or experience working in regulated or critical infrastructure environments.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment and provide mentorship and guidance to junior staff members, fostering their professional growth.
• Active DOE "Q" clearance
  
  

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Must be able to climb ladders, lift objects weighing 30+ lbs, drive a vehicle.

Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 Year.

Note to Applicants:

• Along with your resume, a detailed cover letter is required explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and applicable desired qualifications.
• While the posted salary range for each position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time.

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• This is a hybrid position with a minimum requirement to be on-site 50% of the time in Los Alamos
  
  

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

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• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
  
  

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
  
  

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.