Senior Network Architect

Employment Type: Full Time, Onsite in a corporate office environment Department: Information Systems & Technology – Transformation Reports To: Sr. Director, Infrastructure & Operations Benefits: Medical Dental Vision Paid Vacation Sick & Holidays Company paid Life and Disability Insurance 401k savings plan with employer matching Voluntary Benefits: Supplemental Life Insurance Critical Illness Accident Coverage Pet Insurance Position Summary Avfuel is seeking a Senior Network Architect to own and modernize our enterprise network environment while providing technical leadership across infrastructure initiatives. This role is responsible for defining network architecture, driving infrastructure strategy, and leading execution across our headquarters and approximately 30 remote locations nationwide. This is a highly impactful, hands‑on leadership role. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong initiative and ownership. This person will assess our current environment, establish standards, and lead the design and delivery of a modern, scalable, and secure network infrastructure. This role may have formal direct reports, and serves as the technical leader for network engineering, setting direction, guiding resources (including contractors), and ensuring successful execution of key initiatives. This position has clear growth potential into broader Infrastructure & Operations leadership. Key Responsibilities Network Architecture & Strategy Assess current network infrastructure, identify gaps, and define a forward-looking architecture and roadmap Lead standardization efforts, with a focus on Fortinet technologies across all locations Own product selection, lifecycle management, and technology standards for network infrastructure Design scalable, secure, and resilient network solutions to support business growth Engineering & Project Leadership Lead the execution of network refresh and modernization initiatives across HQ and remote sites Define project scope, technical designs, and implementation plans Serve as the technical lead on all network-related projects Provide direction, mentorship, and technical oversight to engineers and contractors Ensure projects are delivered on time, with high quality and strong operational outcomes People Leadership (Current & Future) May directly manage network architects and engineers, including performance, development, and coaching Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement Identify and develop team capabilities, including mentoring junior engineers Position has potential to expand into leadership of the broader Infrastructure & Operations team (network, systems, and related functions Operations & Reliability Own day‑to‑day network performance, availability, and reliability Establish and enforce best practices for monitoring, alerting, and incident response Lead change management processes related to network infrastructure Ensure proper documentation, configuration management, and operational standards Vendor & ISP Management Manage relationships with ISPs, hardware vendors, and service providers Oversee circuit provisioning, performance, and cost optimization Evaluate and negotiate solutions that align with business and technical objectives Security & Compliance Partner with security leadership to ensure network security best practices are implemented Support firewall strategy, segmentation, and secure connectivity across all sites Align network architecture with compliance and risk management requirements Organizational Scope The Senior Network Architect / Technical Lead directly or indirectly manages 1 – 3 network architects and engineers and is a member of the Avfuel IT leadership team. Qualifications Required Qualifications 8+ years of progressive experience in network engineering and architecture roles Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise network infrastructure Strong hands‑on expertise with Fortinet (FortiGate, FortiSwitch, FortiManager, etc.) Experience with Cisco switching technologies Deep understanding of: Routing & switching (BGP, OSPF, VLANs, STP, etc.) Firewall architecture and network security principles WAN technologies, VPNs, and multi-site connectivity Experience with network monitoring and management tools Understanding of enterprise architecture and systems integration Strong experience with ISP management, vendor management, and change management Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives with minimal oversight Preferred Qualifications Experience in aviation, fuel distribution, logistics, or similar industries Experience operating in regulated or compliance‑driven environment Experience leading cross‑functional, matrixed transformation initiative Financial management experience overseeing significant capital programs Experience with: Windows Server administration Linux systems administration Active Directory and identity infrastructure Storage and backup technologies Experience in multi‑site or distributed enterprise environments Exposure to cloud networking (Azure, AWS, or hybrid environments) Familiarity with modern ERP/CRM platforms (Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.) MBA or advanced technical/business degree Success Metrics (First 90 days, 1 year) 90 Days Develop network services assessment, prioritized risks and gaps, and plans to address Stabilize and instill operational control, including monitoring Build relationships within IT, across Avfuel and with external partners 1 Year Drive network modernization program for Avfuel and Avflight Achieve measurable improvements, utilizing a standard operating model Lead in improving change management for network and broader IT within Avfuel Optimize partner relationships and network finances Develop team members through technical coaching and training EEO/ADA #J-18808-Ljbffr