Computer Network Architect

Also called: Computer Network Engineer, Data Communications Analyst, Design Engineer, Enterprise Architect, Information Technology Specialist

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Computer network architect designs and implements 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.

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.
Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.
Visit vendors, attend conferences or training sessions, or study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.
Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.
Develop network-related documentation.
Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.
Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.
Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.
Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
Coordinate installation of new equipment.
Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
Develop or maintain project reporting systems.
Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.
Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers.
Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.
Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.

Work Context

Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
Telephone — 50% responded "Every day".
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 73% responded "Every day".
Face-to-Face Discussions — 50% responded "Every day".
Spend Time Sitting — 55% responded "More than half the time".
Work With Work Group or Team — 45% responded "Very important".
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 46% responded "Some freedom".

Work Activities

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

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.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Communicating with Persons Outside 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.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

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.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Detailed Work Activities

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.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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.

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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.

Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Programming

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Technology Design

Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

Operation Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

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).

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

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 there is a problem.

Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

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).

Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self Control

You might use software like this on the job:

Web platform development software

Drupal
JavaScript
JavaScript Object Notation JSON
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
Google AngularJS
Ruby on Rails
Hypertext markup language HTML
Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft ASP.NET
Microsoft ASP.NET Core MVC
Node.js
Spring Framework
Cascading Style Sheets CSS
Apache Tomcat
Apache Struts
Django
AJAX
Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML
Ext JS
Enterprise JavaBeans
Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
LAMP Stack

Enterprise application integration software

IBM WebSphere
Extensible markup language XML
Oracle Fusion Middleware
Atlassian Bamboo
IBM WebSphere MQ
IBM InfoSphere DataStage

Development environment software

Integrated development environment IDE software
Microsoft Azure
Eclipse IDE
Go
Ruby
Microsoft .NET Framework
National Instruments LabVIEW
Microsoft Visual Studio
Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
Microsoft PowerShell
Microsoft Visual Basic
Apache Ant
Apache Kafka
Common business oriented language COBOL
Oracle Java EE
Systems and applications migration software
Verilog
Apache Maven
C
Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript

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