IT Network Architect 5

United Launch Alliance•Centennial, CO

1d•$158,462 - $264,104•Onsite

About The Position

At United Launch Alliance (ULA), the Network Architect 5 serves as the enterprise authority for network architecture, long‑range technology direction, and cross‑platform integration strategy. This role defines multi‑year architectural roadmaps, governs enterprise standards, and ensures that all network, security, and connectivity systems align with mission needs, engineering requirements, and corporate digital modernization objectives. Operating at the highest technical tier, the Network Architect V provides architectural leadership across data center, cloud, campus, launch‑site, and national‑defense connectivity environments, shaping ULA’s end‑to‑end communication ecosystem and influencing technology investment decisions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field from an accredited college or university.
Four years of directly related exempt work experience may be used to satisfy the bachelor’s degree requirement.
10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise network engineering and architecture.
Expert knowledge of routing and switching technologies, including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, and segment routing.
Experience governing architecture review boards, technical design councils, and enterprise decision‑making related to network infrastructure.
Expertise in modeling network resilience, redundancy, dependency mapping, risk analysis, and mission‑assurance engineering for critical operations.
Master‑level expertise designing global, multi‑region network architectures integrating on‑prem, cloud, edge, and launch‑site networks under unified governance.
Advanced experience with modern firewalls, IDS/IPS platforms, and network security architecture.
Proven ability to design and implement large‑scale WAN, LAN, and data center network solutions.
Hands‑on experience with SD‑WAN technologies and policy‑based routing.
Strong understanding of cloud networking in AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
Ability to produce high‑quality architectural diagrams, design documents, and technical standards.
Ability to design and evaluate full stack architectures including routing, switching, segmentation, identity systems, telemetry, observability, automation, and zero‑trust end‑to‑end.
Ability to evaluate emerging technologies (AI‑driven networking, micro‑segmentation, quantum‑safe cryptography, private 5G, advanced telemetry) and develop adoption strategies.
High proficiency in network automation principles and scripting fundamentals.
Demonstrated history guiding enterprise‑wide architectural transformation, multi‑year modernization programs, or major strategic technology initiatives.
Proven ability to translate mission objectives, risk posture, and business strategy into executable network architecture roadmaps.
Extensive experience collaborating with senior leadership, system architects, cybersecurity leaders, and mission stakeholders to align technical direction and enterprise investment.
Deep experience establishing enterprise architectural standards, reference architectures, validated patterns, and multi‑cloud network frameworks.
Proficiency designing service‑based, API‑driven, and intent‑based networking solutions capable of supporting automation, orchestration, and cross‑domain synchronization.
Advanced capability integrating cloud‑native networking (Azure/AWS) with enterprise identity, security, automation, and multi‑region routing topologies.
Must be a U.S. Person as defined in ITAR 22 CFR 120.62 (e.g., U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or protected individual).

Nice To Haves

Experience leading multi‑year network transformation or modernization programs.
Deep familiarity with Zero Trust networking principles and secure access architectures.
Advanced knowledge of network automation platforms such as Terraform, Ansible, or Python‑based frameworks.
Background designing hybrid and multi‑cloud network architectures.
Experience with container networking technologies such as Kubernetes or service mesh.
Professional certifications such as CCIE, JNCIE, AWS Advanced Networking, or equivalent.
Experience with observability platforms and large‑scale network monitoring strategies.
Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks affecting enterprise networks.

Responsibilities

Serves as the enterprise authority for network architecture, long‑range technology direction, and cross‑platform integration strategy.
Defines multi‑year architectural roadmaps.
Governs enterprise standards.
Ensures that all network, security, and connectivity systems align with mission needs, engineering requirements, and corporate digital modernization objectives.
Provides architectural leadership across data center, cloud, campus, launch‑site, and national‑defense connectivity environments.
Shapes ULA’s end‑to‑end communication ecosystem.
Influences technology investment decisions.
Governing architecture review boards, technical design councils, and enterprise decision‑making related to network infrastructure.
Modeling network resilience, redundancy, dependency mapping, risk analysis, and mission‑assurance engineering for critical operations.
Designing global, multi‑region network architectures integrating on‑prem, cloud, edge, and launch‑site networks under unified governance.
Designing and implementing large‑scale WAN, LAN, and data center network solutions.
Designing and evaluating full stack architectures including routing, switching, segmentation, identity systems, telemetry, observability, automation, and zero‑trust end‑to‑end.
Evaluating emerging technologies (AI‑driven networking, micro‑segmentation, quantum‑safe cryptography, private 5G, advanced telemetry) and developing adoption strategies.
Guiding enterprise‑wide architectural transformation, multi‑year modernization programs, or major strategic technology initiatives.
Translating mission objectives, risk posture, and business strategy into executable network architecture roadmaps.
Collaborating with senior leadership, system architects, cybersecurity leaders, and mission stakeholders to align technical direction and enterprise investment.
Establishing enterprise architectural standards, reference architectures, validated patterns, and multi‑cloud network frameworks.
Designing service‑based, API‑driven, and intent‑based networking solutions capable of supporting automation, orchestration, and cross‑domain synchronization.
Integrating cloud‑native networking (Azure/AWS) with enterprise identity, security, automation, and multi‑region routing topologies.