Network Architect

Job Category: Information Technology Full-Time Locations Showing 1 location Houston, TX 77042, USA Description The Network Architect is the senior technical resource on the Telco Service Delivery team, responsible for the low-level designs and implementation planning behind every Meriplex Telco and SDWAN deployment. The Architect functions in a delivery capacity — turning sold solutions into implementable designs — with core competencies in SDWAN, advanced routing, and telecommunications services. The role also supports pre-sales solution validation, owns product engineering and the development of implementation standards, and mentors network engineers across the team. This is a customer-facing role, working directly with customers and other Meriplex resources on designs and implementations. Position Objectives Own the low-level design (LLD) and implementation plan for every assigned Telco and SDWAN project, from design through activation. Quickly review existing customer network environments and design how Meriplex Telco and SDWAN products integrate into them. Act as the technical lead on projects and implementations, working alongside Project Managers and Provisioning Coordinators. Serve as the senior technical escalation point for delivery, support, and activations. Assist pre-sales with solution validation and design input so what is sold can be delivered. Own product engineering and develop the implementation standards the Telco delivery organization runs on. Mentor network engineers — raising the technical bar of the team through design reviews and knowledge transfer. Produce low-level designs and implementation plans for Telco and SDWAN deployments, including IP addressing, routing, failover, and cutover planning. Rapidly assess existing customer networks — topology, routing, carrier services, and equipment — and design the integration path for Meriplex Telco and SDWAN products. Provide pre-sales support: validate proposed solutions, contribute design input to quotes and proposals, and join customer technical conversations as needed. Support activations, working with the Provisioning and Support & Activations teams to execute designs cleanly. Act as the escalation point for complex issues raised by Support and the NOC. Plan and execute Telco upgrades and maintenance for existing customer environments. Drive product engineering: operational readiness for new products and develop and maintain the implementation standards and reusable templates used across Telco delivery. Mentor network engineers and junior architects through design reviews, implementation coaching, and knowledge transfer. Work directly with customers — presenting designs, walking through implementations, and representing Meriplex as the technical face of Telco delivery. Produce and maintain customer network documentation and drawings as part of proactive customer value. Work with Project Managers and Provisioning Coordinators as the technical lead for projects and implementations — owning the technical decisions from kickoff through closeout. Collaborate across the Telco organization — Network Support & Activations, the NOC, Provisioning & Carrier Services, and the PMO. Required Skills 7+ years of network engineering or network architecture experience. Extensive SDWAN experience — design, deployment, and troubleshooting. Expert-level knowledge of high-level routing protocols (BGP, OSPF) and complex routing designs, including failover and traffic engineering. Demonstrated ability to quickly understand an unfamiliar customer network and produce an accurate, implementable design. Working knowledge of carrier and telco services — dedicated internet, broadband, LTE, and voice circuits. Strong documentation skills, including network diagrams (Visio or equivalent) and low-level design documents. Exceptional verbal and written communication; comfortable in a customer-facing role, presenting designs and implementations to customers and internal teams. Experience mentoring or technically leading network engineers. Strong independent analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to work in a team as well as self-directed. Desired Skills Experience with UCaaS and CCaaS services (e.g., Zoom) is a plus. Experience with ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) products is a plus. Certification(s) in areas of expertise: CCNP or higher, vendor SDWAN certifications, or equivalent. Prior experience in an MSP, carrier, or telecommunications service delivery environment. Desired Education or Equivalent Experience A Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline is preferred, accompanied by relevant certifications. Equivalent hands‑on experience will be considered. Candidates should have a desire to continue building technical depth through advanced certifications or similar achievements. Work Schedule/Travel Standard Meriplex business hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for scheduled activation and maintenance windows, which may occur after hours. This role participates in an on-call rotation. Ability to travel up to 15% may be required based on project requirements; mostly within the Houston metro area as well as nationally. Physical Demands Medium Work - Exerts up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects. Disclaimer The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Meriplex Communications and Meriplex Solutions are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr