Sr. Network Architect

Sr. Network Architect

Plano Texas United States

Position Summary:

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Network Architect with over 10 years of experience to join our dynamic System Solution team to provide strategic architectural leadership across a large complex enterprise network environment. This role sits at the intersection of technology strategy and engineering execution - driving assessments defining standards shaping modernization roadmaps and guiding critical network decisions across a broad and diverse technology landscape.
The ideal candidate brings deep architectural judgment cross-domain networking expertise and the ability to operate effectively at both the strategic and technical levels - engaging executive stakeholders leading vendor evaluations and guiding engineering teams through transformation initiatives.

Description / Essential Functions:

• Architecture Leadership - Define and maintain network architecture principles design patterns configuration standards and implementation guidance across the enterprise
• Technology Assessment & Roadmap - Evaluate current-state network technologies identify gaps and risks and drive forward-looking modernization and technology roadmap decisions
• RFP & Vendor Engagement - Lead RFP development critically evaluate supplier proposals and deliver clear well-supported recommendations to senior leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner with internal engineering operations and business teams as well as external suppliers and vendors to develop and execute network solutions
• Complex Problem Resolution - Provide architectural-level support for escalated operational issues driving structured root cause analysis and durable remediation strategies
• Innovation & Automation - Champion the adoption of automation AI-enabled tooling and network analytics to improve operational efficiency and implementation quality
• Standards & Governance - Establish and enforce architectural guardrails design standards and governance frameworks across a distributed multi-technology environment

Minimum qualification:

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelors degree in computer science information technology electrical engineering or a related field
• 10 years of progressive enterprise network engineering and/or architecture experience
• Demonstrated breadth across multiple networking domains - LAN WAN wireless security and cloud-adjacent services
• Strong architectural judgment with the ability to translate business requirements into sound scalable network designs
• Proven experience leading or significantly contributing to RFP processes and presenting technology recommendations to senior or executive leadership
• Effective communicator with the ability to engage both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders with clarity and credibility
• Experience collaborating with and managing relationships with external vendors and suppliers

Technology Scope

Experience with the following technologies is preferred; equivalent expertise with comparable enterprise platforms is acceptable:

• Domain
• Technology / Platform
• LAN
• Cisco ACI Cisco SDA traditional enterprise routing & switching
• WAN
• MPLS with redundancy diversity and resiliency design
• Wireless (Wi-Fi)
• Large-scale enterprise & manufacturing wireless deployments
• Firewalls
• Palo Alto Networks
• Network Security & Secure Access
• Zscaler (SASE/ZIA/ZPA)
• Private Cellular
• Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
• Two-Way Radio

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience architecting networks in large-scale distributed enterprise manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with AI automation frameworks and network analytics platforms (e.g. Ansible Terraform Cisco ThousandEyes or equivalent)
• Hands-on involvement in enterprise network transformation programs or large-scale migration initiatives
• Active industry certifications such as CCIE CCNP PCNSE or equivalent advanced credentials

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Hybrid contract: Standard business hours with flexibility required to support maintenance windows and critical production issues. (2 days a week but subject to more time in office based on business needs)
• Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required based on business needs.