Network Architect

Direct hire No C2C

Hybrid in Dallas, Texas

The Network Architect will serve as the technical authority for enterprise networking, leading a team of engineers in designing, implementing, and optimizing network infrastructure. This role includes developing proposals and solution designs, maintaining technology roadmaps and documentation, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring networks meet performance, security, and cost objectives. The Network Architect will also collaborate with internal stakeholders to define detailed requirements, oversee compliance, and drive automation and continuous improvement across all network environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the subject matter expert for all network-related aspects of Industries IT operations covering both internally managed and vendor-provided services.
• Partner with leadership to continually optimize network performance, resilience, and cost-efficiency.
• Architect, implement, and maintain enterprise network infrastructure, ensuring scalability, security, and high availability.
• Lead network installations, troubleshoot complex issues, and resolve service outages across multiple environments.
• Protect network boundaries by configuring and managing firewalls (Firepower, Fortigate), IDS/IPS systems, and related security controls.
• Create and maintain comprehensive network documentation, including topology maps, hardware/software inventories, and remote connectivity diagrams.
• Develop and monitor system performance metrics and perform regular capacity planning and tuning.
• Design, test, and maintain network-centric disaster recovery and incident response plans.
• Establish and enforce standards and best practices for all aspects of network infrastructure.
• Drive automation initiatives using scripting (Python preferred) to streamline configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting processes.
• Foster collaboration and provide technical guidance across vendor, customer, and peer groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline required.
• 12+ years of combined experience in network engineering and technical leadership roles.
• Professional certifications preferred: Cisco Certified (CCNP or higher) or Fortinet Certified (FCSS or higher).
• Proven hands-on automation experience using scripting languages (Python strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to develop detailed proposals and solutions based on formalized network requirements.
• Deep expertise in:
• • Routing: SDWAN, BGP, OSPF
  • Switching: VLAN, VXLAN
  • Firewalls: Firepower, Fortigate
  • Load Balancing: Netscaler
  • Data & Voice Convergence: Cisco UC
  • Video Services & Network Protocols
  • Datacenter Networking: VXLAN
  • Cloud Integration: Azure Networking
  • Wireless Technologies: Cisco WLC
  • Supplier & Carrier Management
• Extensive experience troubleshooting multi-tier internet applications and cloud network interfaces.
• Strong understanding of network protocols, their behaviors, and practical applications.
• Proven experience conducting security assessments, implementing controls, and addressing audit or regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with application and network-layer cryptography, virtualization, and secure design principles.
• Competency with tools that enhance network engineering, automation, monitoring, and troubleshooting.