Computer Network Architect

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

On the job, you would:

Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
Develop disaster recovery plans.
Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Computer network architects have to examine data networks and decide how to best connect the networks based on the needs and resources of the organization.

Detail oriented. Computer network architects create comprehensive plans of the networks they are creating with precise information describing how the network parts will work together.

Interpersonal skills. These workers must work with different types of employees to successfully design and implement computer and information networks.

Leadership skills. Many computer network architects direct teams of engineers, such as computer hardware engineers, who build the networks they have designed.

Organizational skills. Computer network architects who work for large firms must coordinate many different types of communication networks and make sure they work well together.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		92%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		90%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		84%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		83%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		77%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		76%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		72%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		72%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		72%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		71%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		71%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		61%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		61%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		56%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		83%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		83%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
		72%	Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		83%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		72%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		72%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		56%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		56%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		75%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		72%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		72%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		72%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		69%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		66%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		66%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		60%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		53%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		53%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		61%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		61%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		59%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		59%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		57%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		55%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		55%	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
		55%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		54%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		54%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		52%	Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
		52%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.

Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.

Provide technical support for computer network issues.

Coordinate software or hardware installation.

Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.

Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.

Design integrated computer systems.

Configure computer networks.

Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.

Develop specifications for computer network operation.

Resolve computer network problems.

Develop testing routines or procedures.

Develop models of information or communications systems.

Maintain contingency plans for disaster recovery.

Document network-related activities or tasks.

Develop information communication procedures.

Manage documentation to ensure organization or accuracy.

Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.

Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.

Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.

Monitor the performance of computer networks.

Analyze website or related online data to track trends or usage.

Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.

Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.

Communicate project information to others.

Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.

Maintain computer hardware.

Monitor the performance of computer networks.

Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.

Modify software programs to improve performance.

Install computer software.

Install computer hardware.

Communicate project information to others.

Develop specifications for computer network operation.

Manage financial activities of the organization.

Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.

Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.

Test computer hardware performance.

Supervise information technology personnel.

Develop models of information or communications systems.

Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.

Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.

Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		86%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		86%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		84%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		83%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		77%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		77%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		76%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		76%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		75%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		68%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		67%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		64%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		63%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		59%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		55%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		75%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		95%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		88%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		86%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		86%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		83%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		81%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		80%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		78%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		73%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		72%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		70%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		70%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		68%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		66%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		64%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		64%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		64%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		61%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		58%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		58%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		56%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		56%	Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
		53%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		52%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		51%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		51%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		51%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

What Computer Network Architects Do

Network architects design LANs, WANs, and intranets.

Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers. Network architects must have extensive knowledge of an organization’s business plan to design a network that can help the organization achieve its goals.

Duties

Computer network architects typically do the following:

Create plans and layouts for data communication networks
Present plans to management and explain why they are in the organization’s best interest to pursue them
Consider information security when designing networks
Upgrade hardware, such as routers or adaptors, and software, such as network drivers, as needed to support computer networks
Research new networking technologies to determine what would best support their organization in the future

Computer network architects, or network engineers, design and deploy computer and information networks. After deployment, they also may manage the networks and troubleshoot any issues as they arise. Network architects also predict future network needs by analyzing current data traffic and estimating how growth will affect the network.

Some computer network architects work with other IT workers, such as network and computer system administrators and computer and information systems managers to ensure workers’ and clients’ networking needs are being met. They also must work with equipment and software vendors to manage upgrades and support the networks.

Work Environment

Computer network architects held about 180,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of computer network architects were as follows:

Computer systems design and related services	26%
Telecommunications	10
Management of companies and enterprises	8
Educational services; state, local, and private	5
Temporary help services	5

Computer network architects spend most of their time in offices, but occasionally work in server rooms where they have access to the hardware that make up an organization’s computer and information network.

Work Schedules

Most computer network architects work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.

Getting Started

Education:

36%

Master's Degree

32%

Bachelor's Degree

How to Become a Computer Network Architect

Network architects often have several years of experience in a related occupation, such as a network administrator.

Computer network architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as network and computer systems administrators.

Education

Computer network architects typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology, engineering, or a related field. Degree programs in a computer-related field give prospective network architects hands-on experience in classes such as network security or database design. These programs prepare network architects to be able to work with the wide array of technologies used in networks.

Employers of network architects sometimes prefer applicants to have a master’s of business administration (MBA) in information systems. MBA programs generally require 2 years of study beyond the undergraduate level and include both business and computer-related courses.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Network architects generally need to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience working with information technology (IT) systems. They often have experience as a network and computer system administrator but also may come from other computer-related occupations such as database administrator or computer systems analyst.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Certification programs are generally offered by product vendors or software firms. Vendor-specific certification verifies a set of skills to ensure network architects are able to work in specific networking environments. Companies may require their network architects to be certified in the products they use.

Advancement

Some network architects advance to become computer and information systems managers.

Job Outlook

Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 10,200 openings for computer network architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand for computer network architects will grow as firms continue to design and build new information technology (IT) networks and upgrade existing ones. Continued expansion of cloud computing will increase demand for these workers to ensure that networks are properly designed and that transition to the new network proceeds smoothly.

However, demand for computer network architects is expected to be limited over the projections decade. Some computer network tasks, such as monitoring systems and troubleshooting network problems, continue to be automated and consolidated. In addition, some businesses, especially smaller ones with minimal IT requirements, find it more cost effective to contract with outside firms for these services rather than to hire computer network architects directly.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about computer careers, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

IEEE Computer Society

Computing Research Association

CompTIA

For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit

National Center for Women & Information Technology

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of computer network architects.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Computer and Information Research Scientists	Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.	Master's degree	$136,620
Computer and Information Systems Managers	Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.	Bachelor's degree	$164,070
Computer Hardware Engineers	Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.	Bachelor's degree	$132,360
Computer Programmers	Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.	Bachelor's degree	$97,800
Computer Support Specialists	Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.	See How to Become One	$59,660
Computer Systems Analysts	Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency.	Bachelor's degree	$102,240
Database Administrators and Architects	Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data.	Bachelor's degree	$112,120
Information Security Analysts	Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.	Bachelor's degree	$112,000
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ computer networks and systems.	Bachelor's degree	$90,520
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers	Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.	Bachelor's degree	$124,200

Computer Network Architect

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Computer Network Architects Do

Duties

Work Environment

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become a Computer Network Architect

Education

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Advancement

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

Similar Occupations