Computer Network Architect Jobs in Dallas, TX (NOW HIRING)

Job description:

INTRODUCTION

A & Associates is a reputable staffing agency with a proven track record in screening and recruiting as well as job placement and career development. With more than ten (10) offices throughout the United States, A & Associates is a company that can be trusted to provide a diverse level of services with excellence, diligence and integrity. “Quality In Everything We Do” is far more than our mantra, it is our standard!!

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Summary of Functions: The Network Architect is a principal-level technical leadership role responsible for defining enterprise network architecture, technology strategy, and long-term infrastructure direction. This position provides advanced architectural expertise for the design, evolution, security, and optimization of complex network environments, including enterprise LAN/WAN, wireless, data center, SD-WAN, software-defined networking, cloud connectivity, and network security platforms.

The Network Architect establishes architectural standards, develops technology roadmaps, evaluates emerging technologies, and provides strategic recommendations that enable secure, resilient, scalable, and high-performing network services. This role serves as a key technical advisor to IT leadership, engineering teams, and business stakeholders while influencing enterprise technology decisions without direct personnel management responsibilities.

Loction- Dallas, TX - Hybrid/On-site

Work Authorization - GC/USC

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Provides enterprise-level network architecture leadership by developing technology strategies, roadmaps, and standards that align network capabilities with organizational objectives and business requirements. Evaluates emerging networking technologies, recommends strategic investments, supports modernization initiatives, and provides architectural guidance for enterprise transformation efforts. Serves as a trusted technical advisor to IT leadership and stakeholders on network strategy, risk, scalability, and future-state architecture.

Operational Excellence

• Provides advanced technical guidance and oversight for the reliability, availability, performance, and security of enterprise network services. Partners with engineering teams to resolve complex technical challenges, improve operational processes, and ensure network environments meet enterprise requirements for resiliency, security, and service delivery. Reviews operational performance, supports major incident analysis, identifies systemic issues, and recommends improvements to enhance network stability and efficiency.

Architecture and Design

• Defines enterprise network architecture principles, standards, and design patterns for LAN, WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, data center networking, cloud connectivity, network segmentation, and security infrastructure. Leads the development and review of complex network designs, evaluates architectural alternatives, ensures alignment with enterprise architecture frameworks, and provides technical direction for large-scale infrastructure implementations and transformations.

Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Establishes architecture governance, engineering standards, and continuous improvement practices that enhance network reliability, security, scalability, and operational maturity. Reviews network performance metrics, identifies optimization opportunities, promotes automation and standardization, supports lifecycle management strategies, and ensures network solutions align with industry best practices and organizational policies.

Team Development and Management:

• Provides technical leadership, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to network engineering teams without direct personnel management responsibilities. Guides engineers on architectural approaches, promotes engineering best practices, supports professional development, reviews technical solutions, and helps build organizational capabilities through collaboration, documentation, and technical enablement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Collaborates with IT leadership, Network Engineering, Systems, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Application, Enterprise Architecture, Service Desk, vendors, and business stakeholders to define technical strategies and deliver enterprise solutions. Communicates complex architectural concepts, technical recommendations, risks, and tradeoffs to technical and executive audiences. Leads cross-functional architecture discussions, supports vendor evaluations, and ensures network solutions align with organizational priorities and technology strategies.

*Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field; or an Associate degree with twelve (12) years of progressively responsible network engineering and architecture experience; or an equivalent combination of education, technical training, certifications, and related experience.

Twelve (12) or more years of experience designing, implementing, securing, and supporting complex enterprise network environments is required. Demonstrated experience developing enterprise network architectures, leading large-scale infrastructure initiatives, defining technical standards, evaluating emerging technologies, and providing architectural guidance is required. Experience supporting large-scale enterprise environments, cloud networking, software-defined networking, data center networking, and network security architectures is strongly preferred.

Knowledge of advanced enterprise network architecture and engineering principles; LAN, WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, software-defined networking, data center networking, cloud networking architectures, network virtualization, routing and switching protocols, BGP, OSPF, network segmentation, firewall technologies, secure access solutions, Zero Trust architecture, network security frameworks, disaster recovery and business continuity practices, network automation, infrastructure-as-code concepts, observability platforms, enterprise architecture methodologies, vendor management practices, and technology governance processes.

Ability to develop enterprise network architecture strategies; design highly available, secure, and scalable network solutions; evaluate emerging technologies and vendor solutions; establish technical standards and governance practices; lead complex architecture initiatives; analyze and resolve highly complex technical challenges; communicate architectural concepts and recommendations to executive leadership and technical teams; influence decisions across organizational boundaries; mentor engineers; manage multiple strategic priorities; and demonstrate exceptional technical leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills without direct supervisory authority.

Preferred certifications include Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise), AWS Advanced Networking Specialty, Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate, Aruba Certified Expert, TOGAF, ITIL, or equivalent advanced network architecture certifications.

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

Work is primarily performed in an office and data center environment and requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and occasionally lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. The position may require work in telecommunications rooms and data centers, participation in after-hours maintenance activities, support during critical incidents, disaster recovery exercises, and occasional travel between organizational facilities.

This job description shows typical requirements of a position within this classification. This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Individual positions may vary slightly in functions, job dimensions and requirements. Any percentage of time included on each function is only an estimate and may change depending on the specific departmental tasks. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet these requirements will still be considered fully qualified if they can perform the Essential Functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

EEO STATEMENT

A & Associates, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Work Location: In person