Network Architect

InstantServe LLC; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

InstantServe LLC in Austin, TX is seeking a Senior Network Architect to serve as the technical authority for statewide TxDOT network infrastructure. The role requires onsite presence 4–5 days per week and successful candidates will guide strategic planning, reference designs, and governance.

You will lead campus/WAN/SD-WAN, cloud integration, security architecture, and disaster recovery initiatives, while mentoring network engineering and project teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in enterprise network architecture and design.
• 10+ Cisco routing and switching technologies.
• 8+ years BGP, OSPF, MPLS, WAN and data center networking.
• 7+ years network security architecture and firewall design.
• 5+ years SD-WAN architecture and deployment.
• 5+ years Cisco ISE or NAC solutions.
• 5+ cloud networking and hybrid connectivity.
• 5+ years technical leadership and governance.
• 3+ years network automation and IaC concepts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise network architecture standards and roadmaps.
• Lead architecture for campus, WAN, SD-WAN, cloud, security, and data center networking.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to support long-term infrastructure strategy.
• Develop network modernization strategies and lifecycle plans.
• Provide architecture review and approval for major projects.
• Design highly available, resilient network solutions for statewide operations.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity on Zero Trust and segmentation.
• Create and maintain architecture docs, diagrams and guidance.
• Mentor network engineering, operations and project teams.

Skills

Enterprise network

Cisco routing

BGP/OSPF/MPLS

Network security

SD-WAN

Cloud networking

Network automation

Leadership

Tools

ThousandEyes

SolarWinds

Infoblox DDI

Azure

Job description

Austin, TX 78744

Description:

This role requires onsite presence 4–5 days per week. Candidates must reside in the Austin area and be authorized to work in the U.S.

The client requires the services of one (1) Senior Network Architect, hereafter referred to as Worker, who meets the general qualifications of an IT Architect IV and the specifications outlined in this document. The Worker will serve as the technical authority for enterprise network architecture, providing strategic planning, solution design, governance, and technical leadership for TxDOT's statewide network infrastructure.

The Worker will be responsible for developing and maintaining enterprise network architecture standards, roadmaps, and reference designs supporting business operations, security requirements, cloud adoption, and technology modernization initiatives. The Worker will provide architectural oversight and technical leadership for network infrastructure supporting hundreds of statewide locations, data centers, cloud environments, and mission-critical transportation systems.

Work to be Accomplished:

Develop and maintain enterprise network architecture standards, reference designs, and strategic technology roadmaps

Lead architecture and design efforts for campus, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, cloud, security, and data center networking solutions.

Evaluate emerging technologies and provide recommendations to support TxDOT's long-term infrastructure strategy.

Develop network modernization strategies and lifecycle management plans.

Provide architecture review and approval for major network projects and infrastructure initiatives.

Design highly available, resilient, and secure network solutions supporting statewide operations.

Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to develop and implement Zero Trust, network segmentation, and security architecture strategies.

Develop hybrid cloud networking architectures supporting Azure and future cloud initiatives

Lead network resiliency, business continuity, and disaster recovery planning efforts.

Create and maintain architecture documentation, technical standards, network diagrams, and implementation guidance.

Provide technical leadership and mentoring to network engineering, operations, and project teams.

Review technical proposals, vendor solutions, Statements of Work, and project deliverables.

Support network monitoring, observability, and automation initiatives through architecture and standards development.

Partner with executive leadership, business stakeholders, vendors, and project teams to align technical solutions with agency objectives.

Minimum Yrs of Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

10+ Enterprise network architecture and design

10+ Cisco routing and switching technologies

8+ BGP, OSPF, MPLS, WAN, and data center networking

7+ Network security architecture and firewall design

5+ SD-WAN architecture and deployment

5+ Cisco ISE or Network Access Control solutions

5+ Cloud networking and hybrid connectivity solutions

5+ Technical leadership and architecture governance

3+ Network automation and infrastructure-as-code concepts

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

5+ Disaster recovery and business continuity planning

5+ Public sector or large enterprise network environments

5+ ThousandEyes, SolarWinds, or enterprise monitoring platforms

3+ Vendor management and technical SOW development

2+ Infoblox DDI/IPAM

2+ Zero Trust architecture and segmentation strategies