Senior IT Network Architect

Xcel Energy Services Inc; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 136,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Dependent Care Reimbursement Account

Health Care Reimbursement Account

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Short-term disability (STD)

Long-term disability (LTD)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Fitness Center Reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

Transit programs

Employee recognition program

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)

Parental Leave Benefit plans

Job summary

Xcel Energy Services Inc in Minnesota seeks a Senior IT Network Architect to lead the development of network and connectivity architecture for IT and OT environments across multiple regions.

This individual contributor role owns long‑term strategy, governance, and technology roadmap delivery while partnering with Cyber Security, IT Infrastructure Operations and OT Architecture teams to deliver resilient network solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of equivalent experience in technology, science, business, or related field.
• Ten years of related functional experience.
• Architecture acumen across multiple domains including network, infrastructure, software, hosting models, mobile platforms, and security.
• Exposure to diverse systems, technologies and processing environments in a large Corporate setting.

Responsibilities

• Architectural operations to ensure compliance with standards and manage exceptions.
• Provide consultation and direction on optimal network architecture.
• Lead cross-organizational work and participate in hiring and professional development for the network pod.
• Govern work to align with IT strategy, reference architecture, and policy.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Relationship management

Leadership

Collaboration

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Science, Business or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior IT Network Architect is an individual contributor responsible for leading the development of network and connectivity architecture and strategies for Xcel Energy’s IT and OT environments. This role owns long-term network strategy, architectural governance, and technology roadmap development across a geographically distributed utility infrastructure that spans four operating regions in 8 US States. This role partners closely with Network Engineering, Cyber Security, IT Infrastructure Operations and OT Architecture teams to deliver resilient, compliant, and forward-looking network solutions. The successful candidate will also provide technical leadership and mentorship to architecture and engineering staff and will represent network architecture in multi-disciplinary project teams and governance forums.

Essential Responsibilities

• Architectural Operations: Review project work efforts to ensure that they are compliant with architectural standards. Track and manage exceptions to standards. Develop and maintain architectural reference diagrams, architecture decision records (ADRs), and standards documentation. Participate in Architecture Review Board (ARB) processes. Continuously improve operational processes. Assess, report, and make recommendations to eliminate operational risk related to technology or architecture.


• Technical Expertise: Provide consultation and direction to delivery and operational teams on optimal architecture for respective solutions. Maintain network architecture strategy and roadmap, as well as governance and documentation.


• Leadership: Lead work cross-organizationally through coaching and feedback, and through significant interactions and influence with leaders. Participate in hiring, skills assessment, and professional development planning for the network pod.


• Planning and Strategy: Govern work efforts to ensure alignment with reference architecture, IT strategy and policy. Collaborate cross-organizationally and provide technical guidance and mentorship to network architects and engineers. Contribute to architecture road maps and provide input to technology roadmaps. Ensure the domain IT Strategy align with Enterprise Architecture framework and standards.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Science, Business or related field, or 4 years of experience equivalent to the position.


• Ten years of related functional experience.


• Architecture acumen across multiple domains including network, infrastructure, software, hosting models, mobile platforms, and security.


• Exposure to diverse systems, technologies and processing environments in a large Corporate setting.


• Project solution architecture experience.


• General knowledge of core aspects of enterprise architecture (Software, Hardware, Network, Integration, Data, hosting models, platform types, etc.).


• Strong analytical, problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.


• Extensive knowledge of future technology trends within area of expertise.


• Demonstrated leadership on technical aspects of large scale projects.


• Excellent communication skills, effective with varying organizational levels and skill sets.


• Excellent Relationship Management and collaboration skills, with a track record of working as one team cross‑organizationally to drive innovation and business results.

Preferred Requirement

• Experience with the following: Enterprise security boundaries. Traffic segmentation, routing and security policies. NERC/CIP compliance space in partnership with other SMEs. Strategy and collaboration with operations for the connectivity of the Corporate network. Collaboration with OT teams related to infrastructure and connectivity in OT environments.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company

Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy‑related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need.

Non‑Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $135,800.00 to $165,000.00 per year

• Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited‑Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short‑term disability (STD), Long‑term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 09/25/26

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail].

You. Us. Together.

At Xcel Energy, we’re more than an energy company. We’re reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet. We’re committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You’re not waiting for change – you’re creating it. You’re driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do. We are leading the way in clean energy. We’re using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We’re providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We’re committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon‑free electricity by 2050. Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together, we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.