Sr. Network Architect

Role- Sr Network Architect

Location- Plano, TX

Duration: Long Term Contract

Independent Visas on our W2

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.

Requirements

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:

•             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