Job#: 3030578
Job Description:
Lead Network Architect - Data Center Architecture
Location: 100% Remote
Experience: 20+ years
Focus: Large‑scale Cisco‑oriented data center and inter‑DC network architecture
If interested, please email resume to [email protected]
Role Overview
Were seeking a Lead Network Architect to support and evolve a company's core data center network architecture. This role sits within a small, highly senior architecture team responsible for the shared design ownership and architectural continuity of 27 data centers and the networks that interconnect them, supporting a mix of internal platforms and long‑standing customer resale services.
This position is intended to strengthen architectural depth, resiliency, and coverage across the team by adding an additional senior architect with broad infrastructure experience. The focus is on long‑term architecture ownership, standards, and stability, not short‑term project delivery or operational management.
This is a hands‑on architecture role operating as a senior peer within the team, contributing independently while collaborating closely with other architects, engineering, and operations stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as a senior network architect responsible for owning and contributing to the end‑to‑end data center and inter‑data‑center network architecture across the companies footprint
Share ownership of architectural standards, reference designs, and long‑term roadmaps for data center and inter‑DC networking, with accountability for architectural outcomes and authority to provide final technical direction on complex or high impact decisions.
Act as a peer‑level architect within a small senior architecture group supporting 27 globally distributed data centers
Design, review, and own the evolution Cisco‑oriented network architectures, including:
Core routing and switching
Data center fabrics (e.g., spine‑leaf architectures)
Inter‑data‑center connectivity and backbone integration
Partner closely with engineering, operations, and platform teams to ensure architectures are scalable, resilient, supportable, and consistent, providing hands‑on architectural leadership rather than advisory only guidance.
Provide architectural leadership and direction across:
Data center network design and incremental modernization
Inter‑DC traffic flows, redundancy models, and fault tolerance
Capacity planning and long‑term infrastructure sustainability
Support architectures that underpin customer resale and revenue‑generating services, with a strong emphasis on continuity and reliability
Evaluate new technologies and vendor capabilities while maintaining alignment with established architectural standards
Participate in design reviews and provide senior‑level architectural input and including acting as a final technical escalation point for complex or cross‑environment issues when required
Required Experience & Skills
15-20 years of experience in network architecture with deep exposure to large, multi‑data‑center environments
Proven background as a Senior, Principal, or Lead Network Architect operating in complex enterprise or service‑provider settings, with responsibility for architecture ownership rather than review only functions.
Strong Cisco‑centric architecture experience, including:
Core routing and switching
Data center networking (e.g., Nexus platforms, spine‑leaf designs)
High‑availability and redundant architectures
Substantial hands‑on experience across major network operating systems (e.g., Cisco IOS, NX‑OS, Juniper JUNOS, Cisco ASA OS, A10), sufficient to design, validate, and troubleshoot complex multi‑data‑center architectures.
Experience supporting multiple data centers as part of a shared architectural model, rather than owning a single site or program
Ability to operate independently while collaborating closely with other senior architects, with clear accountability for architectural decisions and outcomes.
Comfortable working in long‑lived, mature environments where stability, repeatability, and operational discipline are critical
Strong communication skills to work effectively with engineering, operations, and senior technical stakeholders
Nice to Have
Why This Role
Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details.
Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.
Employee Type:
Contract
Remote:
Yes
Location:
St. Louis, MO, US
Job Type:
Date Posted:
April 21, 2026
Pay Range:
$64 - $65 per hour
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