Enterprise Network Architect: Strategy & Modernization

Apt; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Apt is seeking an experienced Senior Network Architect to provide technical and strategic leadership for a large enterprise network environment in Plano, TX. You will define standards and modernization roadmaps, collaborating with engineering, leadership, and vendors.

The role combines hands-on expertise with strategic thinking, requires communication with technical and executive teams, and involves evaluating emerging technologies, governance, and RFP processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise network engineering and/or network architecture.
• Strong technical knowledge across LAN, WAN, wireless, network security, and cloud-connected networking environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design secure, scalable, highly available, and resilient network solutions.
• Experience developing enterprise network architecture standards, design principles, and technical guidelines.
• Experience participating in or leading RFP and technology evaluation processes.
• Ability to assess and compare technology solutions and provide well-supported recommendations.
• Experience presenting technical strategies and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience working with and managing relationships with technology vendors and external suppliers.
• Ability to provide architectural leadership and technical guidance to engineering and operations teams.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable, secure, resilient, and high-performing enterprise network architectures.
• Establish and maintain network architecture principles, design standards, and best practices.
• Translate business requirements into practical network solutions.
• Provide architectural guidance across LAN, WAN, wireless, network security, and cloud-connected networking.
• Develop governance and architectural frameworks for consistency across networks.
• Provide technical direction to network engineering and implementation teams.
• Evaluate existing networks to identify gaps and modernization opportunities.
• Develop network modernization roadmaps and roadmaps.
• Research and evaluate emerging networking technologies and their value.
• Support large-scale transformation, migration, and modernization initiatives.
• Lead or contribute to RFP development and evaluations for network technologies.
• Assess vendor solutions from technical, architectural, operational, and business perspectives.
• Present strategies, risks, and architectural considerations to leadership.
• Collaborate with technology vendors throughout evaluation and implementation.

Skills

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Enterprise architecture

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Cisco ACI

Cisco SDA

MPLS

Palo Alto

Zscaler

Ansible

Terraform

Cisco ThousandEyes

Job description

Apt is seeking an experienced Senior Network Architect to provide technical and strategic leadership for a large enterprise network environment in Plano, TX. You will define standards and modernization roadmaps, collaborating with engineering, leadership, and vendors.

The role combines hands-on expertise with strategic thinking, requires communication with technical and executive teams, and involves evaluating emerging technologies, governance, and RFP processes.