Senior IT Network Architect

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401(k) plan

Pension

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Minnesota is seeking a Senior IT Network Architect to lead the development of network and connectivity architecture for IT and OT environments. The role owns long-term strategy, governance, and technology roadmaps across a distributed utility infrastructure spanning eight states.

You will partner with Network Engineering, Cyber Security, IT Infrastructure Operations and OT Architecture teams to deliver resilient and compliant network solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Technology, Science, Business or related field, or 4 years of experience.
• 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.

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.

Skills

Architectural governance

Network architecture

Leadership

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or 4 years experience

Tools

ADR documentation

ARB processes

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

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.

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.

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].

Non-BargainingThe anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $135,800.00 to $165,000.00 per yearThis position is eligible for the following benefits:

• 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

EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

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.