Senior Network Architect
Job Type
Immediate (within 1 week)
Experience
10+ Years
Location
SUGARLAND, TX
Job Description
Senior Network Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, setting standards, building
designs and maintaining complex network infrastructures for an organization. The role involves
ensuring the optimal performance, security, and scalability of network systems, including LAN,
WAN, cloud environments, and wireless solutions. The Senior Network Architect will lead a
team of network engineers, work closely with other IT leaders, Solutions / Enterprise Architects,
Infrastructure Project Managers and support the business’s strategic goals with the best network
solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Provide oversight and governance for all network technology and domains, ensuring solutions architecture assurance and compliance
Design and architect scalable, secure, and high-performance network solutions based on business needs and technical requirements.
Develop network strategies, standards, and methodologies for network infrastructure projects.
Lead the design and implementation of network systems (LAN, WAN, data centers, and cloud networks).
Oversee the deployment and configuration of network hardware, software, and systems.
Ensure networks are optimized for maximum performance, scalability, and reliability.
Implement and manage automation tools for network provisioning and management.
Develop and enforce network security policies to protect data and infrastructure from cyber threats.
Perform network security audits, vulnerability assessments, and risk management.
Stay up to date with the latest security protocols and industry standards to ensure compliance.
Lead and mentor a team of network engineers and technicians.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., DevOps, cloud, and system administration) to ensure seamless integration of network systems.
Provide guidance on network troubleshooting and performance tuning.
Establish, document, and communicate all infrastructure architecture designs and standards, ensuring the adherence to these measures across the environment and participating in process reviews like IT Vendor Assessments & IT Risk Assessments
Perform within the Plan/Build/Operate model as 80% Planning & 20% Build/Operate
Manage and develop the architecture for projects working closely with application leaders to ensure the project is aligned with the overall enterprise architecture
Monitor the current state solutions portfolio to identify deficiencies through aging of technologies and infrastructure
Define the principles, guidelines, and standards to ensure solution decisions are aligned with the enterprise’s future-state architecture vision
Ensure the stable operation of the corporate enterprise network including planning, developing, installing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all network hardware,software, and data connectivity links with the assistance of Network Services team members
Conduct research and make recommendations on network infrastructure, services, protocols, and standards in anticipation and in advance of the business need
Provide guidance and support to more junior team members, conducting and overseeing training & mentoring sessions, standards, and best practices overviews
Provide technical leadership of the Network Services team, participating in roadmap and planning sessions and ensuring a culture of accountability to the best practices and standards the Network Architect will be responsible for establishing
Escalation point for advanced network & systems troubleshooting
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Create and maintain detailed network documentation, including network topology diagrams, configurations, and manuals.
Provide regular reports on network performance, incidents, and updates to leadership.
Qualifications
Any combination of requirements, which provide knowledge and abilities necessary to perform
essential duties and responsibilities, will be considered.
Undergraduate degree in computer science, systems analysis, related study or equivalent combination of education and work experience that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work
10+ years of experience designing and implementing enterprise network and technology solutions, developing, and supporting infrastructure, analyzing and documenting technology solutions and mapping them to business TCO and ROI Analysis
10+ years of experience building and supporting data center environments (Cisco Data Center, Nexus, VXLAN, ASR/ISR Routers)
Ability to research and identify solutions and leading the proof of concepts (PoCs) for software and hardware solutions that address business/technical needs and opportunities
Ability to apply multiple technical solutions to business problems
Ability to translate future-state business capabilities and requirements into solution architecture requirements
Ability to propose and estimate the financial impact of solution architecture alternatives
Ability to research, identify and recommend industry best practices (using existing, new, and emerging technologies) for solving business problems
Ability to maintain knowledge of IT network architecture, standards and practices and consistently apply these standards
Ability to identify and document technical debt and establish a lifecycle management strategy
Adept at communicating complex technical solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences
Develop documentation from a high level (documentation strategy) as well as hands on (network diagrams, standards documents, SOPs, etc).
Implement security best practices to protect cloud networks from cyber threats and vulnerabilities. This includes configuring firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), encryption, access control, and implementing security policies and compliance standards.
Preferred Qualification:
CCIE / CISSP Route & Switch or Datacenter level certifications or equivalent experience 5+ years of design & support experience with Cloud computing (Azure, AWS, or GCP)
5+ years of experience with Networking, Load Balancers, WAN Optimizers, SDWAN,Wireless LAN Controllers, Network Access Control (NAC) & Zero Trust
3+ years of experience with Cisco ACI or other versions of Network SDN
2 + years of experience with Zscaler products and technologies, including ZIA, ZPA,Zscaler Cloud Firewall, and Zscaler Private Access.
Security Infrastructure experience (Cisco ASA & Meraki, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Zscaler)
Enterprise Network Monitoring & SIEM experience (SolarWinds Orion, Splunk, Sentinel,etc)
Experience developing strategies for implementation of QoS, and Multicast
Significant experiencing with packet capture and analysis tools, NetFlow, IP SLA, etc
Active Directory, SAN & VMware experience
Experience with Cisco Call Manager and Unified Communications Technologies
UCaas & CCaaS Cloud based services
Additional Qualifications:
Must have the ability to provide documentation verifying legal work status.
Ability to read and speak the English language proficiently to communicate with others,understand and interpret safety instructions, and to respond to inquiries.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Ability to understand and comply with ABM guidelines and expectations, to include Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest guidelines.