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Director Network Architecture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Network Architect SME

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$73.25 - $98.25/hr

Direct federal, government, or large distributed enterprise network experience. * Relevant Cisco, Juniper, cloud networking, SD-WAN, wireless, security, or architecture certifications. * Experience ...

Network Architect SME

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$73.25 - $98.25/hr

Direct federal, government, or large distributed enterprise network experience. * Relevant Cisco, Juniper, cloud networking, SD-WAN, wireless, security, or architecture certifications. * Experience ...

$175K - $190K/yr

Network Architecture & Technology Strategy * Own the enterprise network architecture and long-term technology roadmap for broadband, transport, backbone, and supporting network infrastructure.

Network Architect SME

Washington, DC ยท Hybrid

$73.25 - $98.25/hr

Direct federal, government, or large distributed enterprise network experience. * Relevant Cisco, Juniper, cloud networking, SD-WAN, wireless, security, or architecture certifications. * Experience ...

$47.75 - $64/hr

Direct federal, government, or large distributed enterprise network experience. * Relevant Cisco, Juniper, cloud networking, SD-WAN, wireless, security, or architecture certifications. * Experience ...

Defines multi-quarter architecture roadmap for DC fabrics, routing policy, IPv6 strategy, failure ... Cloud Networking Implementation and Operations: Standardizes VPC/VCN topologies, transit/peering ...

Defines multi-quarter architecture roadmap for DC fabrics, routing policy, IPv6 strategy, failure ... Cloud Networking Implementation and Operations: Standardizes VPC/VCN topologies, transit/peering ...

This role may have formal direct reports, and serves as the technical leader for network ... Key Responsibilities Network Architecture & Strategy * Assess current network infrastructure ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Network Architecture information

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$48.5K

$130.2K

$269K

How much do director network architecture jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for director network architecture in the United States is $130,243.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $148,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of network architecture do?

A Director of Network Architecture is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the overall structure of an organization's computer networks. This leadership role involves creating long-term strategies for network technology, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity, and managing teams of network engineers and architects. They collaborate with other IT leaders to align network infrastructure with business goals and keep up with emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of network architecture?

To thrive as a Director of Network Architecture, you need expertise in network design, infrastructure planning, and a deep understanding of protocols and security, typically backed by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with technologies like SDN, cloud networking, and certifications such as CCIE or AWS Certified Advanced Networking are highly valued. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the delivery of robust, scalable, and secure network solutions that support organizational goals and evolving business needs.

What are some common challenges a director of network architecture faces when leading large-scale network transformation projects?

A Director of Network Architecture often encounters challenges such as balancing the need for cutting-edge technology with existing infrastructure constraints, managing cross-functional teams with varying levels of technical expertise, and ensuring alignment between business goals and technical solutions. Additionally, they must navigate tight project timelines, budget limitations, and evolving security threats. Effective communication and stakeholder management are key, as the role frequently requires translating complex technical concepts for executive leadership and collaborating across IT, operations, and security teams.

What cities are hiring for Director Network Architecture jobs?

Cities with the most Director Network Architecture job openings:

What states have the most Director Network Architecture jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Network Architecture jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Director Network Architecture jobs?

For Director Network Architecture jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Director Network Architecture job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,243 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Network Architect SME

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

Ignite IT
11 - 50 employees

$73.25 - $98.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop, review, and implement secure, resilient enterprise network architectures supporting mission systems and shared services.

  • Support technical reviews, architecture compliance reviews, and evaluate proposed deviations to ensure alignment with standards and risk management.

  • Coordinate with cross-domain teams and external providers to resolve complex design conflicts and support implementation, testing, and stabilization activities.


Job description

We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Network Architect to join our team supporting a large-scale federal modernization program. This role owns enterprise and solution-level network architecture, designing secure, resilient network environments that support mission-critical systems and shared services across both cloud and on-premises boundaries, and driving the standards, target-state direction, and modernization roadmap that keep the network ready to scale.

This is a hands-on architecture role. You'll be expected to produce real technical designs and see them through implementation, not just set direction from a distance.

This is a hybrid role based out of Washington, DC. Candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Key Responsibilities

1.     Network Architecture & Design 

  • Develop, review, and implement secure, resilient enterprise network architectures supporting mission systems and shared services.
  • Produce and assess physical/logical diagrams, routing/segmentation, interfaces, connectivity, capacity, availability, and monitoring requirements.
  • Design hybrid connectivity architecture spanning on-premises and cloud environments.

2.     Standards & Target-State Direction 

  • Define and maintain network architecture standards, reference patterns, and technical decisions.
  • Set target-state network direction and modernization roadmap, balancing scale, security, resilience, and performance.
  • Align network architecture with enterprise architecture governance and repository requirements.

3.     Technical Reviews & Governance 

  • Support technical reviews, architecture compliance reviews, phase gates, and implementation-readiness reviews.
  • Evaluate proposed deviations and provide recommendations grounded in risk and architectural impact.

4.     Gap Analysis & Modernization 

  • Analyze current-state network gaps, technical debt, lifecycle risk, single points of failure, and performance bottlenecks.
  • Provide recommendations for modernization, standardization, and optimization, including cost/performance tradeoffs.

5.     Cross-Domain Coordination 

  • Coordinate with cloud/platform, cybersecurity, identity, endpoint/mobility, applications, data, and ITSM teams, as well as external carriers and providers.
  • Resolve complex cross-domain design conflicts under fixed milestones.

6.     Documentation & Operational Handoff 

  • Maintain standards, reference patterns, technical decisions, configurations, risks, and dependencies in approved repositories.
  • Support implementation, testing, migration, and stabilization, and troubleshoot complex cross-domain problems, communicating root cause, options, and corrective actions.

Requirements

  • 12+ years of experience in network engineering, including significant architecture responsibility at enterprise scale.
  • Strong fundamentals in TCP/IP, routing, switching, segmentation, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, load balancing, resiliency, performance, monitoring, and security.
  • Demonstrated experience producing technical network designs and supporting implementation, testing, troubleshooting, and operational transition.
  • Ability to work across cloud and on-premises boundaries and through formal security/architecture review processes.
  • Strong documentation and communication skills, with experience presenting designs and tradeoffs to both engineers and leadership.
  • U.S. Citizenship Required.

Nice to Have

  • Direct federal, government, or large distributed enterprise network experience.
  • Relevant Cisco, Juniper, cloud networking, SD-WAN, wireless, security, or architecture certifications.
  • Experience with network automation, infrastructure as code, software-defined networking, zero trust, SASE/SSE, and observability.
  • Experience with enterprise architecture repositories and technology standards/roadmaps.

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development assistance
  • Referral program
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance