Network Datacenter Architect - Exempt

West Tennessee Healthcare

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Network Datacenter Architect is a senior-level technical leader responsible for the design, architecture, and strategic evolution of the organization’s datacenter networking infrastructure. This role ensures high availability, scalability, performance optimization, and security of both on-premises and hybrid cloud environments. The architect operates at both strategic and tactical levels, translating business requirements into resilient, cost-effective network architectures while establishing standards, governance, and best practices. This position collaborates closely with infrastructure, security, cloud, and application teams to ensure alignment with enterprise IT strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field (preferred).
Preferred certifications include: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE- Data Center, Enterprise Infrastructure, or Security).
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Data Center or Enterprise)
ITIL Foundation (or higher)
8–12+ years of progressive experience in network engineering and architecture, preferred
5+ years specifically focused on datacenter networking design and implementation, preferred
Proven experience designing large-scale, high-availability enterprise networks
Hands-on experience with spine-leaf architectures and modern datacenter fabrics
Experience with cloud networking and hybrid connectivity models
Demonstrated experience leading complex infrastructure projects and migrations
Deep knowledge of datacenter network architectures (Clos/Spine-Leaf, VXLAN EVPN)
Strong understanding of routing and switching protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS)
Experience with SDN technologies (Cisco ACI, VMware NSX, or equivalent)
Advanced knowledge of network security design (segmentation, microsegmentation, firewalls)
Familiarity with load balancing technologies (F5, Citrix ADC, etc.)
Expertise in WAN technologies and SD-WAN solutions
Knowledge of automation and orchestration tools (Ansible, Terraform, Python)
Understanding of container networking (Kubernetes, service meshes)
Experience with monitoring and observability tools (NetFlow, SNMP, telemetry)
Strong systems thinking and architectural modeling capability
Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions
Capacity planning and performance analysis expertise
Risk assessment and mitigation planning
Ability to create high-quality architectural diagrams and documentation
Establishment of standards, policies, and operational procedures
Strong leadership and influence skills without direct authority
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to present to executive leadership
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, security, and business stakeholders
Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities under pressure
Mentorship mindset with the ability to develop junior engineers
High level of accountability, ownership, and professionalism
Adaptability in a fast-evolving technology landscape
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
Proven leadership and mentoring capabilities
High level of accountability and ownership
Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across teams (IT, Security, Compliance, Leadership)
Strong attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement
Ability to remain composed and effective during high-pressure incident response situations
Ethical mindset with a strong commitment to confidentiality and data protection

Responsibilities

Design and architect enterprise datacenter network solutions including core, aggregation, and access layers.
Develop scalable architectures supporting hybrid and multi-cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
Lead network modernization initiatives such as software-defined networking (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), and intent-based networking.
Architect high-availability solutions including redundancy, failover, disaster recovery, and business continuity.
Define and enforce network standards, reference architectures, and design patterns.
Oversee datacenter interconnects (DCI), WAN integration, and edge connectivity strategies.
Design secure network architectures aligned with zero-trust and defense-in-depth principles.
Evaluate and select networking technologies, vendors, and solutions.
Provide technical leadership for large-scale deployments, migrations, and upgrades.
Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to integrate network security controls (firewalls, segmentation, IDS/IPS).
Conduct capacity planning, performance tuning, and network optimization.
Create and maintain detailed architectural documentation and diagrams.
Act as escalation point for complex network issues and provide root cause analysis.
Mentor engineering teams and influence technical direction across the organization.