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Senior Network Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a Principal Network Architect to serve as a senior technical authority responsible for shaping enterprise network architecture, technology strategy, and major transformation ...

Senior Network Architect

Arlington, VA · On-site

$190K - $304K/yr

The Senior Network Architect is responsible for but not limited to: * Design, implement, and maintain scalable and secure network architectures. * Provide architectural guidance for the development ...

The Senior Network Architect is responsible for but not limited to: * Design, implement, and maintain scalable and secure network architectures. * Provide architectural guidance for the development ...

The Senior Network Architect is responsible for but not limited to: * Design, implement, and maintain scalable and secure network architectures. * Provide architectural guidance for the development ...

The Senior Network Architect is responsible for but not limited to: * Design, implement, and maintain scalable and secure network architectures. * Provide architectural guidance for the development ...

The Senior Network Architect will conceptualize, design, and develop total system or product solutions for enterprise-wide information technology or engineering/manufacturing processes. They will be ...

Senior Network Architect

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$175K - $195K/yr

Overview Senior Network Architect Chantilly, VA TS/SCI with Poly At Bcore, our strength comes from how we deliver impact to the mission. Whether it's architecting critical IT solutions, producing ...

We're looking for a mission-driven Senior Network Architect who thrives in high-security environments and brings deep experience designing complex, large-scale network topologies. This role will ...

We're looking for a mission-driven Senior Network Architect who thrives in high-security environments and brings deep experience designing complex, large-scale network topologies. This role will ...

We're looking for a mission-driven Senior Network Architect who thrives in high-security environments and brings deep experience designing complex, large-scale network topologies. This role will ...

Senior Network Architect Job Category: Information Technology Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: Secret Employee Type: Regular Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 25% Type of ...

In addition, the Senior Network Architect will provide technical leadership across the organization, from strategic decision making down to the project planning level. Responsibilities ESSENTIAL ...

In addition, the Senior Network Architect will provide technical leadership across the organization, from strategic decision making down to the project planning level. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Oversee ...

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Senior Network Architect information

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How much do senior network architect jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior network architect in the United States is $167,533.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,000.00 and $192,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior network architect?

A Senior Network Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex network infrastructures to support an organization's IT needs. They evaluate business requirements, develop scalable network solutions, and ensure security, performance, and reliability. This role requires expertise in network protocols, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity best practices. Senior Network Architects also collaborate with IT teams, vendors, and stakeholders to align network strategies with business goals. Their work plays a critical role in optimizing connectivity, minimizing downtime, and enhancing overall IT efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior network architect?

A Senior Network Architect requires deep expertise in network design, protocol configuration, security principles, and typically holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Working knowledge of advanced networking hardware, virtualization platforms, and certifications like Cisco CCNP/CCIE, Juniper JNCIP/JNCIE, or similar are highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and leadership abilities are essential soft skills for coordinating projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies enable the architect to build secure, reliable, and scalable networks that meet organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by senior network architects in large organizations?

Senior Network Architects in large organizations often deal with the complexity of integrating legacy systems with modern technologies, ensuring overall network security, and maintaining high availability across multiple locations. They may need to collaborate frequently with various IT teams, stakeholders, and vendors to design solutions that fit business requirements while staying within budget constraints. Keeping up with rapid advancements in networking technologies and meeting compliance standards are also key challenges. The ability to navigate these obstacles is critical for implementing scalable and sustainable network architectures.

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Infographic showing various Senior Network Architect 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 $167,533 per year, or $80.5 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Position Summary:
We are seeking a Principal Network Architect to serve as a senior technical authority responsible for shaping enterprise network architecture, technology strategy, and major transformation initiatives across a large and complex environment.
This role operates at the intersection of enterprise architecture, advanced engineering, and technology strategy. The Principal Network Architect will define architectural direction, establish technical standards and guardrails, evaluate emerging technologies, lead complex technology decisions, and provide technical leadership across critical network initiatives.
The successful candidate will bring deep technical expertise, exceptional architectural judgment, and the credibility to engage at an expert level with senior engineers, architects, technology vendors, and executive stakeholders. This individual must be equally comfortable defining long-term architecture strategy and engaging deeply in complex technical and implementation decisions.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture & Technology Strategy
  • Define and evolve enterprise network architecture principles, reference architectures, design patterns, technical standards, and implementation guidelines.
  • Assess current-state architectures, identify technical debt, risks, and opportunities, and establish pragmatic modernization roadmaps aligned with business and technology strategy.
  • Provide architectural direction for complex, multi-domain network initiatives and ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, secure, and operationally sustainable.
  • Evaluate emerging networking technologies and determine their applicability to the enterprise environment.

Technical Leadership & Decision Making
  • Serve as a senior technical authority for complex architecture and engineering decisions.
  • Lead architecture reviews and technical design discussions, challenging assumptions and driving decisions based on sound engineering principles and business objectives.
  • Provide architectural leadership for major implementations, migrations, and transformation initiatives.
  • Provide architecture-level guidance on highly complex or escalated network issues, ensuring root causes are understood and durable remediation strategies are implemented.

RFP, Vendor & Partner Leadership
  • Lead or significantly influence complex RFPs, technology evaluations, and supplier selections.
  • Define technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and architectural principles used to assess proposed solutions.
  • Critically evaluate vendor architectures and recommendations, challenge assumptions where appropriate, and ensure proposed solutions align with enterprise requirements.
  • Establish and maintain strong technical relationships with strategic technology vendors and service providers.

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner with engineering, operations, cybersecurity, infrastructure, application, and business teams to develop and execute enterprise network solutions.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts and architectural trade-offs with clarity and credibility to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Build consensus across diverse stakeholders while maintaining architectural integrity and technical standards.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and other architects.

Requirements
  • 8+ years of network architecture and design experience and 15+ years of overall enterprise networking experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, or a related field preferred or equivalent experience
  • Hands-on architecture and implementation experience with Cisco IOS, Cisco ACI, enterprise wireless, Cisco Catalyst Center/DNAC, and Cisco SDA.
  • Deep and broad expertise across enterprise networking domains, including LAN, WAN, data center, wireless, network security, and cloud connectivity, with the ability to architect integrated end-to-end solutions.
  • Exceptional architectural judgment and the ability to translate complex business and technical requirements into scalable, resilient, secure, and operationally sustainable architectures.
  • Proven ability to lead complex RFPs and technology evaluations, establish technical requirements and evaluation criteria, and present well-founded recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead high-level technical discussions, challenge established approaches, and influence architecture decisions through strong technical reasoning and credibility.
  • Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build consensus across senior engineers, architects, business leaders, vendors, and other stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to establish and manage strategic technical relationships with major technology vendors and service providers, including the ability to independently assess and challenge vendor recommendations.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at both the strategic architecture level and the hands-on technical level.

Preferred Qualifications
    • Proven experience architecting and evolving highly complex, large-scale, distributed enterprise networks within manufacturing or other mission-critical environments where availability, security, and operational continuity are critical.
    • Track record of architecting and leading large-scale network transformation and modernization programs, including enterprise-wide migrations, segmentation, and adoption of software-defined networking architectures.
    • Demonstrated ability to leverage network automation, infrastructure-as-code, AI-enabled operations, and advanced network analytics to improve network scalability, consistency, observability, and operational efficiency.
    • Recognized industry credentials demonstrating advanced technical expertise, such as CCIE or equivalent. Equivalent depth of hands-on expertise and industry recognition may be considered in lieu of formal certification.
    • Experience with manufacturing/OT networking, network security and firewalls, Cisco ISE, enterprise WAN, IPAM/DNS/DHCP platforms, private 5G, ServiceNow, and network monitoring/observability.