Sr. Network Architect

Sr. Network Architect

Client: Japanese IT company

Working Location: Plano, Texas

Working style: Hybrid (2 days per week in office; additional onsite time may be required based on business needs)

Employment Type: W-2, Contract No C2C: We do not accept Corp-to-Corp (C2C) arrangements for this position.

Salary: Up to 100K

Benefit: No Insurance but 401K Match

Visa Support: N/A

Working Hours: Standard business hours with flexibility to support maintenance windows and critical production issues; occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required

Language: English

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and maintain network architecture principles, design patterns, configuration standards, and implementation guidance across the enterprise.
• Evaluate current-state network technologies, identify gaps and risks, and drive modernization and technology roadmap decisions.
• Lead RFP development, evaluate supplier proposals, and present clear technology recommendations to senior leadership.
• Partner with engineering, operations, business teams, suppliers, and vendors to develop and execute network solutions.
• Provide architectural-level support for complex escalated operational issues, including root cause analysis and durable remediation strategies.
• Champion automation, AI-enabled tooling, and network analytics to improve operational efficiency and implementation quality.
• Establish and enforce architectural guardrails, design standards, and governance frameworks across a distributed, multi-technology environment.

The right candidate will possess:

• Deep enterprise network architecture expertise across LAN, WAN, wireless, security, and cloud-adjacent services.
• Strong architectural judgment and the ability to translate business requirements into scalable network designs.
• Experience with Cisco ACI, Cisco SDA, enterprise routing and switching, and MPLS.
• Experience with large-scale enterprise and manufacturing wireless deployments.
• Knowledge of Palo Alto Networks and secure access technologies such as Zscaler (SASE/ZIA/ZPA).
• Experience with private cellular, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), and two-way radio is preferred.
• Strong vendor management, RFP, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and technical levels.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive enterprise network engineering and/or architecture experience.
• Demonstrated experience across multiple networking domains, including LAN, WAN, wireless, security, and cloud-adjacent services.
• Proven experience leading or significantly contributing to RFP processes and presenting technology recommendations to senior or executive leadership.
• Experience collaborating with and managing relationships with external vendors and suppliers.
• Experience architecting networks in large-scale, distributed enterprise manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Familiarity with AI, automation frameworks, and network analytics platforms such as Ansible, Terraform, and Cisco ThousandEyes is preferred.
• Experience with enterprise network transformation programs or large-scale migration initiatives is preferred.
• CCIE, CCNP, PCNSE, or equivalent advanced certifications are preferred.