Network Architect

Prequel Solutions; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Prequel Solutions is seeking a network architect to lead design, security, modernization, and automation of a complex enterprise network spanning on‑premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. You will develop scalable, resilient architectures that support critical business operations.

The role focuses on secure connectivity, Zero Trust adoption, and network automation while collaborating with security teams. Mentorship of engineers and strategic leadership are key aspects of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network environments.
• 3+ years in a senior technical leadership role.
• Strong experience with enterprise routing, switching, WAN, wireless, and network security technologies.
• Deep understanding of network architecture principles and design methodologies.
• Experience designing and supporting cloud and hybrid networking environments.
• Strong knowledge of routing and network protocols including OSPF, BGP, and related technologies.
• Experience implementing network security solutions and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and architecture initiatives.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain enterprise network architectures with a focus on security, performance, scalability, resiliency, and automation.
• Develop strategic technology roadmaps supporting long‑term infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement new networking technologies and solutions.
• Ensure network architecture aligns with business objectives, security requirements, and operational needs.
• Lead complex network design efforts and provide architectural guidance across multiple technology domains.
• Design and implement secure network solutions leveraging industry best practices.
• Develop network segmentation and micro‑segmentation strategies to strengthen security posture.
• Architect secure connectivity solutions including VPNs, encryption technologies, and secure communications.
• Partner with security teams to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Drive adoption of Zero Trust principles and modern network security frameworks.
• Lead network architecture efforts supporting hybrid and cloud‑based environments.
• Design resilient connectivity between data centers, corporate locations, and cloud platforms.
• Support infrastructure modernization initiatives, including cloud migration and data center optimization efforts.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and trends that enhance network capabilities and operational efficiency.
• Lead network automation and orchestration initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce operational complexity.
• Design automated failover, resiliency, and recovery solutions.
• Identify opportunities to streamline operational processes through automation and improved architecture.
• Promote infrastructure‑as‑code and automation best practices where appropriate.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor for network engineering team members.
• Provide guidance and support to junior engineers and technical staff.
• Lead cross‑functional technology initiatives and infrastructure projects.
• Present architectural recommendations and strategic plans to technology leadership.
• Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Design highly available network solutions that support business continuity and disaster recovery objectives.
• Lead resiliency planning, testing, and failover strategy initiatives.
• Improve recovery processes through automation and operational enhancements.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Systems / Computer Science / Engineering

Tools

Cisco

Arista

Juniper

Fortinet

Job description

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a highly skilled Network Architect to lead the design, security, modernization, and automation of a complex enterprise network environment. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing scalable, resilient, and secure network architectures that support critical business operations across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.

Key Responsibilities

Network Architecture & Design

• Design and maintain enterprise network architectures with a focus on security, performance, scalability, resiliency, and automation.
• Develop strategic technology roadmaps supporting long‑term infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement new networking technologies and solutions.
• Ensure network architecture aligns with business objectives, security requirements, and operational needs.
• Lead complex network design efforts and provide architectural guidance across multiple technology domains.

Security & Risk Management

• Design and implement secure network solutions leveraging industry best practices.
• Develop network segmentation and micro‑segmentation strategies to strengthen security posture.
• Architect secure connectivity solutions including VPNs, encryption technologies, and secure communications.
• Partner with security teams to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Drive adoption of Zero Trust principles and modern network security frameworks.

Cloud & Infrastructure Transformation

• Lead network architecture efforts supporting hybrid and cloud‑based environments.
• Design resilient connectivity between data centers, corporate locations, and cloud platforms.
• Support infrastructure modernization initiatives, including cloud migration and data center optimization efforts.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and trends that enhance network capabilities and operational efficiency.

Automation & Operational Excellence

• Lead network automation and orchestration initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce operational complexity.
• Design automated failover, resiliency, and recovery solutions.
• Identify opportunities to streamline operational processes through automation and improved architecture.
• Promote infrastructure‑as‑code and automation best practices where appropriate.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical leader and mentor for network engineering team members.
• Provide guidance and support to junior engineers and technical staff.
• Lead cross‑functional technology initiatives and infrastructure projects.
• Present architectural recommendations and strategic plans to technology leadership.
• Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.

Business Continuity & Resiliency

• Design highly available network solutions that support business continuity and disaster recovery objectives.
• Lead resiliency planning, testing, and failover strategy initiatives.
• Improve recovery processes through automation and operational enhancements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network environments.
• 3+ years of experience in a Network Architect, Lead Network Engineer, Principal Engineer, or similar senior technical leadership role.
• Strong experience with enterprise routing, switching, WAN, wireless, and network security technologies.
• Deep understanding of network architecture principles and design methodologies.
• Experience designing and supporting cloud and hybrid networking environments.
• Strong knowledge of routing and network protocols including OSPF, BGP, and related technologies.
• Experience implementing network security solutions and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and architecture initiatives.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Cisco networking technologies (highly preferred).
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  • Arista
  • Juniper
  • Fortinet
• Industry certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, NSE, or equivalent.
• Experience with network automation and orchestration platforms.
• Knowledge of Zero Trust architecture and micro‑segmentation.
• Experience supporting large‑scale cloud migration initiatives.
• Experience developing disaster recovery, failover, and resiliency strategies.
• Experience mentoring and developing engineering teams.

Technical Environment

• Cisco Network Infrastructure
• Arista Networks
• Juniper Networks
• Fortinet Security Solutions
• Routing & Switching
• WAN and SD‑WAN Technologies
• Enterprise Wireless Networking
• VPN Technologies
• Network Security & Segmentation
• Cloud Networking (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)
• Network Automation & Orchestration
• Disaster Recovery & High Availability Solutions
• Infrastructure Modernization Initiatives

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a hands‑on technical leader who can balance strategic architecture responsibilities with practical execution. The ideal candidate is passionate about designing secure, resilient networks, mentoring engineering teams, and driving modernization through cloud adoption, automation, and innovative networking solutions.