IT Network Architect
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At HDR, we believe that each role, every idea, and every person contributes to creating a positive impact in the world. Our employee-owners thrive in an environment where innovation is encouraged, individuality is celebrated, and everyone is empowered to bring forward bold thinking.
Ready to help define the future of HDR’s network technology landscape?
About the Role
As a Network Architect, you will report to the Director of IT Architecture and work closely with fellow architects, infrastructure and security leaders, corporate IT teams, and business stakeholders to establish, evolve, and govern HDR’s network architecture. You will design secure, resilient, scalable, and supportable network solutions that connect offices, data centers, cloud platforms, users, devices, and business services across HDR’s technology environment.
This is a strategic architecture role, not a network operations or engineering position. You will influence technology decisions, design target-state architectures, shape standards and roadmaps, and guide delivery teams through complex network transformations.
What You’ll Do
Architecture & Strategy
Lead the architecture of enterprise network solutions spanning remote office and data center networks, wide area connectivity, cloud networking, internet and partner connectivity, remote access, wireless, and network security services.
Define and maintain network reference architectures, standards, patterns, principles, and guardrails that guide technology selection and solution delivery across HDR.
Develop current-state and target-state network architectures and roadmaps aligned to HDR’s broader technology vision, business objectives, risk posture, and operational capabilities.
Provide architectural leadership for network modernization initiatives.
Evaluate emerging network technologies and vendor capabilities, identify their architectural fit, and recommend practical adoption paths based on business value, security, cost, resilience, and supportability.
Solution Architecture & Delivery Guidance
Create architecture diagrams, conceptual and logical designs, technology standards, decision records, transition states, and implementation guidance for delivery teams.
Partner with network engineering and operations teams to validate feasibility, define nonfunctional requirements, and develop transition plans that can be implemented and supported over time.
Identify architectural dependencies, constraints, risks, and technical debt early, and recommend options that balance strategic direction with delivery needs.
Provide architecture oversight during implementation to preserve design intent and address material deviations from approved solutions.
Governance & Oversight
Build and contribute to governance practices that ensure network solutions are secure, resilient, compliant, cost effective, and aligned with HDR architecture principles and standards.
Review proposed network solutions and technology changes for alignment with target-state architecture, approved patterns, cybersecurity requirements, and operational readiness.
Document and communicate architecture decisions, exceptions, risks, and remediation expectations through established governance processes.
Serve as a network architecture subject matter expert to IT Operations, Cybersecurity, cloud and platform teams, application teams, and other corporate technology groups.
Collaboration & Leadership Influence
Advise technology leaders and technical teams on systemic challenges, modernization priorities, and opportunities to improve reliability, performance, security, and manageability.
Work across diverse teams to resolve competing requirements and translate complex network concepts into clear, actionable recommendations.
Create and deliver presentations, architectural documentation, and decision frameworks for technical and nontechnical audiences.
Facilitate architecture discussions and design reviews, building alignment while constructively challenging assumptions and short-term solutions that create long-term risk.
Mentor engineers and other architects by sharing network architecture practices, design rationale, and lessons learned.
What This Role Is / Is Not
This role is NOT\:
A network operations, network administrator, or incident response role
A primarily hands-on network engineering or device configuration position
A junior or entry-level architecture role
A role focused only on maintaining the existing network environment
A vendor-specific product architect position
This role IS\:
Suited for someone who can move between strategic architecture and practical solution guidance without becoming the primary implementer
An experienced solution and IT technology architecture role with enterprise-wide influence
Focused on network strategy, solution architecture, standards, governance, modernization, and long-term direction
Cross-functional, requiring close partnership with engineering, operations, cybersecurity, cloud, application, and business teams
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with software-defined networking, secure access service edge, zero trust network access, network automation, infrastructure as code, and modern network observability practices.
Experience with major cloud networking services and hybrid connectivity patterns in Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, or Google Cloud Platform
Experience with architecture governance, technology standards, architecture review processes, and formal architecture decision records
Relevant industry certifications in enterprise networking, cloud networking, cybersecurity, or architecture
Knowledge and experience in an architecture, engineering, or consulting business
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