IT Platform Architect - Network

International Paper•Memphis, TN

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Develops and owns integrated roadmaps for core platforms, ensuring interconnected systems function cohesively to support business and IT priorities. They establish standards and governance, guide delivery partners on best practices, and provide oversight of platform upgrades and integrations to maintain consistency, scalability, and long-term value. This role involves creating and supporting new and existing network solutions, and developing metrics, performance monitoring, reporting, business continuity and disaster recovery plans for those solutions. It also defines architecture strategy and develops integrated roadmaps and future-state blueprints for core systems (e.g., SAP, ServiceNow), including cloud-native platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP). The architect ensures platform architecture supports interoperability, security, and evolving business and technology priorities across domains. They establish platform standards, master data management, governance, and reference models to drive consistency and re-use across functions leveraging the same platform. Additionally, the role defines Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery pipelines for applications and oversees automation frameworks (e.g., GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins). It establishes API-first integration strategies for real-time data exchange using (e.g., REST, GraphQL) and oversees middleware and messaging infrastructure (Eg: Kafka, RabbitMQ). The architect partners with managed service providers (MSPs) and product/delivery teams to guide adherence to platform best practices and evaluate implications of technical upgrades. They collaborate with network engineers to lab test, document and generate engineering templates and guidelines for repeatable rollouts. This position provides network and cloud architectural support and overall direction, guidance and stewardship for projects, and participates in planning, design, documentation, implementation and support of the WAN, Internet, data center, colocation and cloud infrastructures.

Requirements

Degree in Computer Science or technical equivalent degree or experience
Excellent technical understanding of the primary platform they are responsible for
Deep knowledge of industry trends and best practices
Able to work in an unstructured, changing environment
Ability to analyze, synthesize and communicate, verbally and in writing, abstract concepts
Recognizes opportunities to transform the business with technology
Peer network with outside companies, consultants, and universities
Typically has 10 or more years of IT experience with more than 5 in their primary platform of responsibility
Minimum of 2 years of experience working within Azure cloud, Azure network operations and Azure automation
Management applications, including SolarWinds, LiveAction, Splunk, GNS3, Wireshark, Nmap, Syslog, SNMP, Netflow and SIEM
Good knowledge of Agile and waterfall methodologies and corresponding platforms such as ADO.
Architecture Design
Technology Evaluation
Standards & Governance
Solution Design
Collaboration & Communication
Change Management
Integration & Interoperability
Risk Management
Advisory Role experience
Architecture Communication & Education
Technical: Architecture Framework(s)
Current State Assessments
Target State Architecture
Architecture Principles & Guidelines
Architecture Review & Approvals
Technology Roadmaps
Continuous Process Improvement
Risk & Compliance Assessments
Organizational Savvy
Tech Savvy
Business Insights
Manages Conflict
Situational Adaptability
Decision Quality
Communicates Effectively
Drives Vision and Purpose
Strategic Agility
Drives Engagement

Nice To Haves

Strong thought leadership and ability to drive platform standards and governance
Ability to develop platform roadmaps and align them with business and IT strategies
Strong communication and collaboration skills to align multiple stakeholders

Responsibilities

Creates and supports new and existing network solutions, and develops metrics, performance monitoring, reporting, business continuity and disaster recovery plans for those solutions
Defines architecture strategy and develops integrated roadmaps and future-state blueprints for core systems (e.g., SAP, ServiceNow), including cloud-native platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)
Ensures platform architecture supports interoperability, security, and evolving business and technology priorities across domains
Establishes platform standards, master data management, governance, and reference models to drive consistency and re-use across functions leveraging the same platform
Defines Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery pipelines for applications and oversees automation frameworks (e.g., GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins)
Establishes API-first integration strategies for real-time data exchange using (e.g., REST, GraphQL) and oversees middleware and messaging infrastructure (Eg: Kafka, RabbitMQ)
Partners with managed service providers (MSPs) and product/delivery teams to guide adherence to platform best practices and evaluate implications of technical upgrades
Collaborates with network engineers to lab test, document and generate engineering templates and guidelines for repeatable rollouts
Provides network and cloud architectural support and overall direction, guidance and stewardship for projects
Participate in planning, design, documentation, implementation and support of the WAN, Internet, data center, colocation and cloud infrastructures