Architect & Lead SME

Architect & Lead SME

$95/hr C2C

Extreme Network Engineer position . Travel will be no more that 4 weeks total .

Travel + Expenses covered by client.

Client: Trace 3

P roject/duration: 6-12 months

FT - 40hrs/week expectation commitment

starting as contract - multi year

Remote- CST time zone

Top three skills needed: Very Strong Extreme skills. Client is in process of a $135 million migration from Cisco to Extreme for network equipment. Need someone who has lead that effort for a large organization, and can get in the weeds

-Need someone with senior Extreme R&S skills (Wireless and wired)

-Some Automation/scripting background to make migration easier

-some Palo BG

-6 months worth of staff aug support

May need to travel 1-2 times to Iowa at some point

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled Extreme Architect & Lead SME to drive the migration of an enterprise-grade Extreme Networks environment to a Cisco-based infrastructure for a leading medical customer. This role requires deep expertise in Extreme Networks , Cisco networking , and Layer 2 extensions , along with the ability to design, architect, and lead the migration process.

The ideal candidate will act as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) , ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining network integrity, security, and performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the migration from Extreme Networks to Cisco , ensuring minimal disruption to mission-critical healthcare operations.

Architect and design Layer 2 extensions across data centers and remote locations.

Assess the existing Extreme Networks infrastructure and develop a migration strategy to Cisco.

Work closely with network engineering teams to design, test, and implement migration plans.

Provide deep technical expertise and serve as the lead SME for Extreme and Cisco networking solutions.

Develop technical documentation , including HLDs, LLDs, migration runbooks, and network diagrams .

Ensure compliance with healthcare industry regulations (HIPAA, HITRUST, etc.) and network security best practices.

Collaborate with stakeholders, vendors, and cross-functional teams to execute the migration strategy effectively.

Troubleshoot and resolve complex Layer 2 networking issues during and after migration.

Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance on Extreme and Cisco best practices .

Required Skills & Experience:

15+ years of experience in network architecture, design, and engineering.

Deep expertise in Extreme Networks (Fabric Connect, VSP, XOS, etc.) and Cisco (Catalyst, Nexus, ACI, etc.) .

Proven experience leading Extreme-to-Cisco migrations in large-scale enterprise environments.

Strong knowledge of Layer 2 technologies , including VLANs, VXLAN, STP, EVPN, and MPLS.

Experience designing and implementing data center interconnects and Layer 2 extensions .

Hands-on experience with network automation and scripting (Python, Ansible, etc.) is a plus.

Healthcare industry experience is highly preferred.

Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in complex network environments.

Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills.

Certifications (Preferred):

Extreme Certified Specialist (ECS) or Extreme Certified Expert (ECE)

Cisco CCNP/CCIE Enterprise or Data Center

ITIL, CISSP, or other relevant certifications