About this role

Network Engineering Architect (Director)

About this role: The Network Engineering Architect (Director) is a senior technical leader responsible for defining BlackRock’s enterprise network architecture strategy and driving its successful implementation across the firm. This hands-on role combines visionary architecture leadership with deep technical expertise to modernize our global network, making it more automated, resilient, and secure. You will influence network technology decisions at the highest levels and ensure our network infrastructure evolves to meet BlackRock’s business needs in an innovative yet risk-aware manner.

Role Overview: In this role, you will set the north-star architecture for a complex global network spanning on-premises and cloud environments. You will lead architecture governance forums and design reviews, establishing reference patterns and standards that guide teams worldwide. Partnering closely with cybersecurity, platform engineering, site reliability engineering (SRE), and application development teams, you will ensure network designs integrate smoothly with security requirements and application needs. A key focus will be transforming traditional networking into “network-as-code” – leveraging automation, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and even AI-driven tools to make network changes safe, auditable, and routine. As a player-coach, you’ll mentor senior network engineers and architects, promoting best practices and a culture of continuous improvement. Ultimately, you will help BlackRock achieve a secure, high-performance, and agile network foundation that empowers our business and developers.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique:

• Strategic Impact at Global Scale: Shape the network architecture of a top-tier global financial institution, directly influencing how our infrastructure supports millions of clients and mission-critical services around the world.
• Intersection of Network & Cutting-Edge Tech: Drive the convergence of networking with automation and AI, moving from traditional manual processes to a programmable, intelligent network that sets new standards for speed and reliability.
• Innovator’s Canvas: Lead a modernization journey that turns complex network systems into a developer-friendly platform – enabling self-service capabilities, reducing risk through automation, and accelerating innovation across the firm.
• Mission-Forward Environment: Work in a highly regulated, security-focused environment where resilience, performance, and integrity are paramount – giving you the opportunity to architect solutions that truly matter for the firm’s success.
• Leadership & Growth: Join a dynamic technology organization that values executive leadership and hands-on expertise in equal measure, offering a platform to influence senior stakeholders, mentor a global team of technologists, and be at the forefront of BlackRock’s continued transformation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and evolve the enterprise network architecture strategy and multi-year roadmap, ensuring alignment with business goals, security requirements, and emerging technology opportunities.
• Establish and enforce network architecture standards, reference patterns, and design principles for core network domains (e.g., data center, campus, WAN, cloud connectivity), balancing innovation with operational stability.
• Lead architecture governance and design reviews: chair architecture boards or forums to evaluate key network designs, ensuring solutions are scalable, resilient, compliant, and aligned with BlackRock’s risk controls.
• Champion an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation-first approach to networking – implement declarative network configuration, CI/CD pipelines, and version control for network changes to improve agility and consistency.
• Implement robust change management processes that make safe, auditable network changes routine – including automated testing, validation, and traceability for every network configuration update with built-in human approval checkpoints.
• Design and advocate for identity-based network segmentation and policy frameworks (e.g., label or identity-driven routing) to enhance security and flexibility, enabling dynamic, intent-based traffic management across our environments.
• Develop self-service networking capabilities: create templates, APIs, guardrails, and “paved path” abstractions that allow application teams and non-network specialists to safely consume network services and deploy network changes with confidence.
• Integrate AI-driven tools and workflows into network engineering: pioneer the use of AI-assisted configuration (e.g. large language model-based assistants) and agent-based automation to streamline network planning and change implementation.
• Leverage AI/ML for network analytics and optimization: apply machine learning techniques to analyze network configurations and real-time telemetry, identifying opportunities to improve performance, capacity, and resilience. Ensure all AI-driven decisions integrate sensible human-in-the-loop oversight, transparency, and auditability.
• Ensure robust core network design and performance: Oversee the architecture of routing, switching, load balancing, DNS, and connectivity solutions, delivering highly available and resilient networks (including modern overlay/underlay design) across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.
• Enhance network observability and incident response: drive adoption of advanced monitoring and telemetry tools, ensuring end-to-end visibility into network health. Partner with SRE/Ops teams to support rapid root-cause analysis, incident response processes, and continual performance tuning of the network.
• Mentor and develop talent: act as a player-coach for the global network engineering community, sharing expertise, guiding senior engineers and architects, and raising the bar for design quality, documentation, and operational excellence in network engineering.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Network Engineering, or related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• 10+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture roles, with a track record of designing and delivering large-scale, enterprise network solutions (global or multi-site environments).
• Deep expertise in core networking concepts – strong understanding of IP networking fundamentals including routing protocols, switching, network segmentation, overlays/underlays, load balancing, DNS/DHCP, firewall policy concepts, and network observability practices.
• Hands-on experience with network automation and Infrastructure as Code – proficient in scripting (e.g. Python, Bash) and configuration automation, with experience implementing CI/CD pipelines or declarative configuration management for network changes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead architecture governance (design reviews, standards councils, or similar) and to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (security, operations, application engineering) to drive consensus on technical decisions.
• Strategic mindset and execution – proven experience developing network architecture strategies and translating them into actionable designs and roadmaps, while balancing innovation with risk management and compliance needs.
• Experience with hybrid and cloud-native networking – familiarity with networking in cloud environments and container-based orchestration platforms (cloud VPC/VNET design, service mesh or similar concepts) and integrating them with on-premises networks.
• Aptitude for emerging technologies (AI/ML) – exposure to or experience with applying machine learning or AI tools in network operations and design (e.g., AIOps for network performance or automated anomaly detection) and a passion for leveraging new tech to solve networking challenges.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.) in a relevant technical field.
• Financial services or regulated industry experience – working knowledge of the rigorous security, compliance, and audit requirements in heavily regulated, mission-critical environments.
• Experience leading major network transformations – such as implementing software-defined networking, network virtualization, or large-scale network automation initiatives in an enterprise setting.
• Industry certifications or community involvement – recognition through relevant certifications (network architecture, cloud networking, or security) or active participation in industry forums and best-practice communities.
• Strong business and communication skills – ability to articulate the value and impact of network architecture decisions to non-technical stakeholders, and to produce clear technical documentation and presentations.

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided  on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.