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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Network Architect Intern

💰 $25/hr - $45/hr

InternshipInformation TechnologyNetworkingCloud Infrastructure

🎯 Role Definition

As a Network Architect Intern, you will be an integral part of our Global Infrastructure team, learning from and contributing to the master plan for our company's network. You will be immersed in real-world projects, assisting Senior Network Architects in designing, modeling, and building the next generation of our network infrastructure. This role is designed for a motivated and curious individual who wants to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment. You will gain invaluable exposure to enterprise-level LAN/WAN, data center networking, cloud networking (AWS/Azure), and network automation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • University Student (Computer Science, IT, or Engineering)
  • Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician
  • IT Help Desk or Support Specialist with a networking focus

Advancement To:

  • Junior Network Architect
  • Network Engineer
  • Cloud Network Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Systems Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist Senior Architects in the design and documentation of scalable, secure, and resilient enterprise network solutions, including LAN, WAN, and data center environments.
  • Create and maintain detailed network diagrams, logical and physical topology maps, and configuration documentation using tools like Visio, Lucidchart, or NetBox.
  • Participate in the evaluation and proof-of-concept (PoC) testing of new networking hardware, software, and emerging technologies like SD-WAN and SASE.
  • Support the development and implementation of network automation scripts using Python, Ansible, or other relevant languages to streamline network provisioning and management.
  • Collaborate with the network operations team to analyze and troubleshoot complex network issues, performing root cause analysis to prevent future occurrences.
  • Gain hands-on experience configuring and deploying network devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls from vendors like Cisco, Juniper, or Arista in a lab environment.
  • Contribute to the design and strategy for our cloud networking infrastructure, including AWS VPCs, Azure VNets, transit gateways, and interconnects.
  • Help develop and enforce network security policies and standards in collaboration with the cybersecurity team, including firewall rule management and network access control.
    rules.
  • Monitor network performance, traffic patterns, and bandwidth utilization to identify potential bottlenecks and opportunities for optimization.
  • Assist in capacity planning and forecasting to ensure the network can support future business growth and technology initiatives.
  • Prepare and present technical findings, design proposals, and project status updates to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Research industry best practices and evolving standards in networking and security to contribute fresh ideas to the team.
  • Support the lifecycle management of network hardware and software, including patching, upgrades, and decommissioning.
  • Participate in design review sessions, providing input and learning from the architectural decision-making process.
  • Develop test plans and execute them in a lab environment to validate new designs, features, or configurations before they are deployed to production.
  • Work with application and system owners to understand their connectivity and performance requirements and translate them into network designs.
  • Shadow senior engineers during incident response and network outage triage to understand high-pressure troubleshooting methodologies.
  • Assist in managing IP address allocation (IPAM) and DNS records for new services and environments.
  • Document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for routine network tasks to improve operational efficiency.
  • Analyze network packet captures using tools like Wireshark or tcpdump to diagnose intricate connectivity and performance problems.
  • Contribute to the development of our Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices for networking using tools like Terraform.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc network analysis requests and exploratory troubleshooting.
  • Contribute to the organization's network technology and automation roadmap.
  • Collaborate with other IT and engineering teams to translate application and system needs into network requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the infrastructure team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Foundational understanding of the OSI model, TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP.
  • Basic knowledge of routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF) and switching concepts (e.g., VLANs, Spanning Tree).
  • Familiarity with a scripting or programming language, preferably Python or Ansible, for automation.
  • Exposure to cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their core networking services.
  • Basic understanding of network security principles, including firewalls, VPNs, and Network Access Control (NAC).
  • Hands-on experience with command-line interfaces (CLI) for network devices (e.g., Cisco IOS, Junos).
  • Knowledge of network monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump, SolarWinds).
  • Ability to create technical diagrams and documentation using tools like Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart.
  • Familiarity with Linux/Unix operating systems and basic command-line usage.
  • An understanding of wireless networking (WLAN) fundamentals and standards.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with a methodical approach to problem-solving.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
  • A profound curiosity and a strong desire to learn new technologies.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, global team.
  • Detail-oriented with a commitment to producing high-quality work and documentation.
  • Proactive mindset with the ability to take initiative and manage time effectively.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • Currently pursuing a Master's degree or has recently completed relevant networking certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Network Engineering
  • Telecommunications
  • Cybersecurity
  • Electrical or Computer Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-2 years of academic, personal project, or hands-on experience in IT or networking.

Preferred:

  • Prior internship experience in an IT infrastructure, cloud, or networking role.
  • Active participation in networking-related university clubs, hackathons, or capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions.
  • Experience with a home lab environment for testing and learning.
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