Sr. Network Architect

What the role needs

• Define and own the target-state architecture for enterprise LAN, WAN, and wireless networks across global offices and data centers.
• Partner with Security and lead the design and configuration of Palo Alto and ASA firewalls, including security policies, NAT, and threat prevention.
• Architect SD-WAN, VPN, and cloud connectivity (AWS and/or Azure) to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable performance.
• AIOps and AI-driven network assurance (Palo Alto AIOPs / Cloud manager)
• Network architecture for AI service consumption (OpenAI/Bedrock)
• Establish design standards for routing and switching (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, VXLAN) on Cisco (Catalyst and Meraki).
• Define the network security architecture, including firewalls, NAC, segmentation, and zero-trust principles.
• Set standards for network health, capacity planning, and performance, and own root-cause analysis on complex incidents.
• Lead the network architecture for infrastructure projects, including office build-outs, migrations, and technology refreshes.
• Develop and maintain reference architectures, design standards, network diagrams, and documentation.
• Define the network automation and configuration-management strategy using Python, Ansible, Terraform, or similar tooling.
• Mentor network engineers, set technical direction, and serve as the tier-3 escalation point for the most complex issues.

From the employer

Job Description Who We Are Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, trademark licensing, and philanthropy. Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA’s diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organizations that shape culture and inspire the world. The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, and form a brand marketing services division, among other innovations. Named Most Valuable Sports Agency by Forbes for eight consecutive years, CAA represents more than 2,000 of the world’s top athletes in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities and works in the areas of broadcast rights, corporate marketing initiatives, social impact, and sports properties for sales and sponsorship opportunities. Founded in 1975, CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has offices in New York, Nashville, Memphis, Chicago, Miami, London, Munich, Geneva, Stockholm, Shanghai, and Beijing, among other locations globally. The Role We are seeking a Senior Network Architect to define and own the architecture, strategy, and technical roadmap for the enterprise network infrastructure that connects CAA s global offices, data centers, and cloud environments. As the senior technical authority for networking, you will set the target-state architecture for routing, switching, and network security, establish design standards and reference architectures, and guide complex infrastructure projects from concept through delivery. You will serve as the top escalation point for the most challenging network issues, mentor engineers, and partner with engineering, security, and business stakeholders to align the network roadmap with CAA s growth. This is a high-impact role for an experienced architect who thrives on solving difficult problems in a fast-moving, high-visibility environment. Responsibilities Define and own the target-state architecture for enterprise LAN, WAN, and wireless networks across global offices and data centers. Partner with Security and lead the design and configuration of Palo Alto and ASA firewalls, including security policies, NAT, and threat prevention. Architect SD-WAN, VPN, and cloud connectivity (AWS and/or Azure) to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable performance. AIOps and AI-driven network assurance (Palo Alto AIOPs / Cloud manager) Network architecture for AI service consumption (OpenAI/Bedrock) Establish design standards for routing and switching (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, VXLAN) on Cisco (Catalyst and Meraki). Define the network security architecture, including firewalls, NAC, segmentation, and zero-trust principles. Set standards for network health, capacity planning, and performance, and own root-cause analysis on complex incidents. Lead the network architecture for infrastructure projects, including office build-outs, migrations, and technology refreshes. Develop and maintain reference architectures, design standards, network diagrams, and documentation. Define the network automation and configuration-management strategy using Python, Ansible, Terraform, or similar tooling. Mentor network engineers, set technical direction, and serve as the tier-3 escalation point for the most complex issues. Participate in an on-call rotation and respond to critical outages outside of business hours as needed. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. 15 years of network engineering experience in enterprise or service-provider environments, including significant network design and architecture ownership. Deep, design-level knowledge of routing and switching protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP) and enterprise platforms (Cisco (Catalyst and Meraki)). Working experience with network security, firewalls (Palo Alto, or Cisco), and segmentation. Comfortable using GenAI tools for configuration validation, documentation, and automated testing Design-level experience with SD-WAN and cloud networking in AWS and/or Azure. Solid understanding of network monitoring, packet analysis, and performance troubleshooting. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across teams. Preferred Qualifications Industry certifications such as CCIE, CCNA or CCNP, or cloud certifications (Azure, AWS). Experience with network automation using Python, Ansible, or Terraform. Familiarity with media and entertainment workflows or high-bandwidth production environments. Experience supporting global, multi-site organizations with 24x7 availability requirements. Location This role is Hybrid, based in our Nashville office. Compensation The annual base salary range for this position is as follows: Nashville, TN - $188,000 - $207,000 This position is also eligible for benefits and a discretionary bonus. Ultimately, wages may vary based upon factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria. Please talk with a CAA Recruiter to learn more. Benefits At CAA, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits* package for all regular full-time employees: Benefits where the company pays 80%-100% of the cost include: Medical Basic Life and AD&D Insurance Telemedicine Employee assistance and mental health counseling in person, virtually or through text Paid Vacation / Holidays Paid Sick Time Paid Parental Leave and Other Paid Leaves of Absence NICU leave Bereavement resources Adoption Benefits Educational Assistance Mental Health Resources Employee Assistance Plan Employees may also elect to participate in voluntary benefits: Dental, Vision Insurance 401K Plan Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care) Health Savings Account Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance Employee Perks: Commuter Benefits Benefits offered also include other statutory mandated benefits For more information and to submit an application, please apply here: Creative Artists Agency, LLC (the “Company”) is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, gender or sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family and medical care leave status, military or veteran status, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, an employee’s or their dependent’s reproductive health decision making (e.g., the decision to use or access a particular drug, device or medical service), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The absence of a permanent address is not a bar to employment. The Company does not discriminate against individuals based on housing status, including the absence of a fixed address. The Company also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws with regard to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. CAA does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by CAA to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that CAA will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.