Sr Network Architect

IT Accel, Inc.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT consulting firm in Texas is seeking a Senior Cisco Network Architect to lead the design and implementation of an enterprise network infrastructure. The role involves strategic planning and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational needs. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience with a strong focus on Cisco technologies and enterprise network solutions. Ideal candidates will drive architecture strategy while ensuring security and performance best practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of enterprise network design, implementation, and support experience.
• Strong Cisco routing and switching expertise required.
• Experience with SD-WAN, Cisco firewalls, and next-generation firewall technologies.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive enterprise-wide network architecture strategy.
• Design, implement, and optimize LAN, WAN, and SD-WAN environments.
• Serve as a senior technical authority for network infrastructure solutions.

Skills

Cisco routing and switching expertise

Enterprise network design

SD-WAN design

Network security best practices

Network monitoring and troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Cisco firewalls

F5 load balancers

Infoblox DNS and DHCP

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Cisco Network Architect to lead the strategy, design, and implementation of a large-scale, enterprise network infrastructure. This role is responsible for defining the long-term network architecture vision across multiple domains, designing complex LAN/WAN environments, and guiding implementation and optimization efforts. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with deep Cisco expertise and experience designing modern and legacy enterprise networks. This position works closely with IT leadership, engineering teams, and business stakeholders to ensure the network infrastructure supports current and future organizational needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive enterprise-wide network architecture strategy and standards
• Design, implement, and optimize complex LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, and wireless environments
• Serve as a senior technical authority for network infrastructure solutions
• Partner with IT and business stakeholders to align network strategy with organizational goals
• Lead vendor evaluations, technology selection, and solution recommendations
• Design and deploy network solutions including routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS, and DHCP
• Implement and support site-to-site and remote access VPN solutions
• Oversee network upgrades, patching, and lifecycle management
• Produce high- and low-level design documentation, diagrams, and implementation guides
• Maintain accurate records of network designs, configurations, and standards
• Research emerging technologies and provide strategic recommendations
• Support both legacy network environments and modern software-defined architectures
• Ensure network performance, security, and scalability best practices are followed

Required Experience

• 10+ years of enterprise network design, implementation, and support experience
• Strong Cisco routing and switching expertise
• Experience with Cisco firewalls and next-generation firewall technologies
• SD-WAN design and implementation experience
• Cisco wireless network design and support
• Experience with F5 load balancers
• Infoblox DNS and DHCP experience
• Design and integration of complex network environments, including legacy and software-defined architectures
• Proven ability to integrate multiple technologies and services within large environments

Required Certifications (one or more)

• CCDP (Design) or CCNP (Routing & Switching, Data Center, or Wireless)
• Cisco DNA
• Cisco Client
• Cisco ACI

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field

Additional Technical Focus Areas (Nice to Have)

Cisco Data Networking

• Lead data center network design and implementation
• Advanced routing and complex enterprise network environments
• Network monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization

Network Security and NGFW

• Design, deploy, and manage Cisco next-generation firewalls
• Implement best practices across legacy, SDA, ACI, and Client environments
• Perform firewall upgrades and patching

Identity and Access Management

• Design and manage network access control solutions using Cisco Client
• AAA and RADIUS authentication experience
• Implement NAC best practices and policy enforcement

Network Infrastructure & Operations

• High- and low-level design of complex topologies
• Collaboration with cross-functional technical teams
• Proactive maintenance, patching, and performance optimization

Security & Threat Protection

• Apply campus-wide security best practices
• Stay current with cybersecurity trends and standards
• Proactively secure and harden network components