A well-established organisation based in Bellville is seeking a highly experienced Network Architect to design, secure, maintain and enhance its enterprise network and infrastructure environment.

The successful candidate will combine strong infrastructure architecture capabilities with advanced network security expertise. This role requires someone who can operate effectively under pressure, troubleshoot complex network incidents and make sound technical decisions within tight timeframes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design infrastructure and network architecture solutions aligned with business requirements and existing systems.
• Develop and implement multi-site network and security strategies.
• Establish network specifications by assessing operational, user and security requirements.
• Install, configure, test and maintain network equipment, firewalls, switches, access points and connectivity.
• Monitor network availability, latency, utilisation, throughput and overall performance.
• Diagnose complex network and security problems and coordinate escalations with vendors where required.
• Implement and monitor secure network access protocols, policies and procedures.
• Manage Fortinet physical and virtual firewall environments.
• Plan, test and implement network and security upgrades in accordance with change-control procedures.
• Maintain accurate network diagrams, technical documentation, asset registers and licensing records.
• Provide guidance and training to users on safe and effective network usage.
• Manage major infrastructure projects and support the organisation’s broader IT strategy.

Minimum Requirements

• At least 10 years’ experience in network and security environments within a large organisation.
• At least 10 years’ experience operating in an infrastructure architecture role.
• Fortinet NSE 5 or NSE 6 certification.
• Cisco CCNA or CCNP certification.
• Microsoft MCSA or MCSE certification.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity and ITIL principles and processes.
• Valid driver’s licence.

Technical Expertise

The successful candidate should have strong practical experience in the following areas:

• FortiGate physical and virtual appliances.
• FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer and Fortinet Security Fabric.
• FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiMail, FortiWeb and FortiAuthenticator.
• SD-WAN, SSL VPN, high availability, load balancing, NAT and virtual IP configurations.
• BGP, static routing and VRF routing tables.
• VLANs, MCLAG, STP and network segregation.
• LDAP, RADIUS, FSSO, SAML and Microsoft MFA.
• Enterprise Wi-Fi and multi-site network security environments.
• Microsoft Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, NPS and PowerShell.
• Hyper-V and VMware ESXi virtualisation.
• Traffic shaping, application prioritisation and Fortinet security profiles.
• VoIP and AudioCodes Unified Communications.
• Microsoft Teams Direct Routing and Skype for Business.
• Network monitoring, diagnostics, debugging and advanced troubleshooting.

Personal Attributes

• Calm and decisive when working under pressure.
• Strong analytical, deductive and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and sense of urgency.
• Highly organised and diligent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to translate business requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Excellent documentation and network-diagram drafting abilities.
• Committed to remaining current with emerging networking and cybersecurity technologies.