Network Architecture Lead - IT Architecture Senior​/Specialist

Title:

Network Architecture Lead Classification: IT Architecture Senior/Specialist Job Status:
Full-Time – Permanent WDFW Program:
Directors Office - Information Technology Services Duty Station:
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption:
Mountain Goat – Photo Credit:
Anour Esa

Lead the agency’s network infrastructure in this senior level role, where you’ll develop technology strategies that keep offices, field teams, and critical operations securely and reliably connected.

You’ll guide major network architecture and modernization initiatives, develop long-term technology roadmaps, and provide technical leadership to build a resilient, high-performing network.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Network Architecture & Strategy Lead,

Network Architecture and Technology Strategy

• Develop and maintain the agency’s enterprise network architecture and multi-year technology roadmap.
• Define current-state and target-state network architectures.
• Develop architectural standards, patterns, and reference designs for network infrastructure.
• Ensure network architecture aligns with Washington State Enterprise strategy and DFW CIO IT strategy, cybersecurity requirements, cloud strategy, and agency business needs.

Network Modernization and Transformation

• Lead or provide architectural direction for major network modernization initiatives.
• Develop modernization strategies for aging network equipment, connectivity, WAN, wireless, data centers, and remote locations.
• Evaluate traditional WAN against SD-WAN, cloud networking, internet-based connectivity, and other modern approaches.
• Develop strategies for integrating on-premises, cloud, field, and remote-office environments.

Network Resilience, Continuity and Disaster Recovery

• Develop network resilience strategies for critical agency services.
• Create recovery operating procedures and train Network Engineers for Disaster Recovery efforts.

Cybersecurity Architecture

• Incorporate cybersecurity principles into network architecture and design.
• Partner with cybersecurity staff to implement segmentation, zero-trust principles, secure remote access, identity-aware networking, and other security controls.

Cloud and Hybrid Network Architecture

• Develop architecture for connectivity between agency facilities, data centers, cloud environments, 3rd party SAAS services, field work locations, and staff home offices.
• Design secure and resilient AWS/Azure/State Datacenter connectivity.

Field and Remote Connectivity

• Develop connectivity strategies for geographically dispersed offices, hatcheries, wildlife areas, enforcement facilities, field stations, and other remote locations.

Network Engineering Standards and Governance

• Establish and maintain network engineering standards and configuration standards that are consistent with Federal, State, and agency policies, standards, and strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for network-related projects.

Technical Leadership for Network Engineers

• Serve as the senior technical authority and mentor for network engineering staff.

Network Performance and Capacity Management

• Establish network performance and capacity-management practices.
• Identify emerging capacity constraints.

Vendor and Technology Evaluation

• Evaluate network products, services, and technologies.
• Conduct technical evaluations and proof-of-concept activities.

Project and Business Engagement

• Serve as the network architecture lead for major IT and business projects.

Documentation and Configuration Management

• Maintain authoritative network architecture documentation. Establish standards for documenting network dependencies and configuration.

Working Conditions

Work setting, including hazards:
Office setting…