Senior Wireless Network Architect

Position Duties:

• Design the next generation of Ford’s global Wi-Fi architecture 
• Test & certify infrastructure including wireless LAN controllers (WLC) and access points (AP)
• Test & certify WLC operating systems & features
• Maintain lab infrastructure and build environments for testing, pilots, and proofs-of-concept (POC)
• Develop & maintain Wi-Fi bills of material (BOM)
• Develop estimates, obtain quotes, and submit requisitions for new infrastructure
• Oversee and approve Radio Frequency (RF) designs based on predictive, passive, and active surveys for both indoor and outdoor environments
• Provide technical consultation to Network Planning & Network Operations teams
• Innovate & experiment with emerging Wi-Fi & RF features & standards
• Continually improve processes & documentation with a customer-centric mindset
• Maintain Wi-Fi configuration standards, security documentation, and deployment guides
• Provide 3rd level support for complex operational issues
• Work with a highly technical team of engineers to develop solutions unique to different types of facilities (e.g., Manufacturing, Campus, and Warehouses)
• Evaluate & test all wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Cellular, Bluetooth) devices proposed for our Manufacturing facilities
• Drive improvements in automation and integration of Wi-Fi infrastructure with other network systems (e.g., RADIUS, monitoring)
• Monitor industry trends & work from Wi-Fi standards bodies such as the Wireless Alliance (WFA) and the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA)
• Ensure that the Global Wi-Fi architecture continually improves in Quality, Efficiency, and Excellence
• Work with vendors/suppliers on procurement of infrastructure, tools, and wireless survey process
• Develop configuration & deployment standards that can be deployed globally

Responsibilities:

Primary Skills Required:

• In-depth understanding of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) network standards (e.g., 802.3, 802.11)
• In-depth knowledge of Cisco Wi-Fi infrastructure and related systems including Catalyst 9800 wireless LAN controllers, Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6/6e access points, Catalyst Center, and Identity Services Engine (ISE)
• In-depth understanding of networking and IP protocols
• In-depth knowledge of Cisco routing & switching, IOS, NXOS, AireOS
• Experience with Quality of Service (QoS) concepts as they relate to Wi-Fi
• In-depth understanding of Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) & related authentication concepts & protocols such as Extensible Authentication Protocol over Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), Protected EAP (PEAP), and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
• Experience with Cisco Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul (CURWB) use-cases and functionality
• Experience with workgroup bridges (WGB) from Cisco, Siemens, Aruba, etc.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Visio, Excel, Sharepoint, and Teams
• Strong project management skills, organizational skills, personal discipline, interpersonal relationship skills and communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong process mindset – ability to create, improve, and follow effective & sustainable processes
• High standards for Quality, technical & professional Excellence, and driving Efficiency
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Additional Skills Preferred:

• Experience with wireless technologies specific to Manufacturing, Warehouses, and auditoriums/lecture halls
• Expert knowledge of advanced Wi-Fi/RF features such as Radio Resource Management (RRM), Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA), Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), Dynamic Channel Assignment, and optimized roaming
• Experience engineering and deploying networks in the 6GHz band (Wi-Fi 6e), including related concepts such as WPA3, Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR/802.11v), Broadcast Probe Response (BPR), Fast Link Setup (FILS), and Preferred Scanning Channels (PSC)
• In-depth understanding of common Wi-Fi clients such as Windows, macOS, and Linux laptops, Apple iOS & Android mobile devices, handheld scanners (e.g., Zebra), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices
• Software development & automation experience (Python, Netconf, Yang, Ansible, Terraform, Go, Javascript, Github, etc.)
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage several projects at the same time
• Knowledge of Software Defined Network (SDN) technology – Cisco SD-Access, ACI
• Knowledge of DNS and load-balancing technologies (ex:  F5 Local Traffic Manager, F5 DNS)
• Knowledge of Cisco Hyperflex, Unified Computing System (UCS) and virtualization technologies (VMWare