Network Architect

DCN is dedicated to providing innovative technology solutions to businesses through North Dakota. We've been delivering on our mission since 1996 to be the best fiber optic provider in North Dakota. DCN is looking for a Network Architect to direct the planning, design, implementation, and lifecycle of DCN's Carrier Ethernet, IP, DWDM, SONET, and OTN network infrastructures, while providing technical and strategic leadership to the engineering teams supporting these platforms. This role also oversees and guides Sales Engineering functions related to service design, validation, and deployment, ensuring customer solutions align with DCN's network capabilities and standards. Key Duties/Responsibilities Leads the architectural design, capacity planning, and optimization of DCN's Carrier Ethernet, IP, DWDM, SONET, OTN, and MPLS network infrastructures. Ensures the integrity, reliability, and high availability of IP, MPLS, and optical transport networks by directing network maintenance, upgrades, lifecycle management, and operation of associated NMS/OSS systems. Provides technical direction and leadership in evaluating equipment specifications, engineering standards, and technology selections for all network platforms. Develops long-term network strategies and contributes to technology roadmaps, expansion plans, and improvement initiatives across Ethernet, IP, optical transport, and core routing systems. Prepares, reviews, and approves engineering specifications, RFPs, and network upgrade proposals; ensures all changes and upgrades minimize service disruption and follow industry best practices. Serves as the highest-level technical escalation point for complex IP, MPLS, DWDM, SONET, and OTN issues, guiding engineers through troubleshooting, restoration, and service-impacting events. Oversees provisioning methodologies and ensures consistent, accurate implementation of Carrier Ethernet, IP, and optical transport services throughout the network. Provides leadership and oversight to Sales Engineering by supporting solution design, technical validation, service feasibility review, and pre-deployment planning for customer services. Supports research and development activities related to new technologies, network capabilities, and product offerings; evaluates and tests new solutions for future deployment. Maintains deep technical expertise in DCN's network technologies through ongoing training, certification, and industry engagement. Coordinates with the NOC Manager, OSP Manager, and COO on operational priorities, network performance, strategic initiatives, and resource planning. Ensures engineering team compliance with company policies, documentation standards, change control processes, and maintenance procedures. Successful candidates will be skilled in analytical thinking, problem solving, and complex network analysis as well as reading and interpreting advanced technical documents, schematics, and engineering specifications. Strong internal and external communication is essential including the ability to present complex technical information to various audiences. The ability to manage multiple engineering assignments and develop, improve or redesign operational and engineer procedures is a must. A minimum of five (4) years' experience in telecommunications engineering, with at least three (3) years of focused work on optical transport (DWDM) and MPLS technologies. Prior supervisory experience and relevant industry certifications (Nokia NRS II and Ciena OCP) preferred. DCN is proud to offer a competitive compensation and benefit package including paid vacation and sick time, 401k match, contributions to health premium and HSA, and paid life and disability insurance.

Created: 2026-03-06