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Computer Network Architects

SOC 15-1241.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers enterprise and multi-site network architecture practice, spanning design, security, performance management, disaster recovery, documentation, and strategic leadership in technology-intensive organizations.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Network topology diagrams — interpret and document under direct supervision when onboarding to an enterprise networking team.
  2. Disaster recovery plan templates — review and apply established procedures under guidance during initial project assignments.
  3. Network security baselines — identify gaps between current configurations and recommended firewall policies with supervisor oversight.
  4. Network monitoring software — execute scheduled performance checks and log anomalies under direction on a corporate LAN environment.
  5. File backup and deletion tasks — perform routine maintenance activities following documented protocols on managed network infrastructure.
  6. New equipment installation checklists — assist senior architects in coordinating rack-and-stack activities during hardware refresh projects.
  7. Technical documentation drafts — compile network-related records and configuration notes under review by experienced team members.
  8. Network performance reports — gather and format data input and output statistics using monitoring dashboards in a supervised setting.
  9. Basic scripting tools — apply pre-written scripts to automate simple network tasks under direction in a development or staging environment.
  10. Vendor technical materials — read and summarize product specifications and telecommunications standards to support team decision-making.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Disaster recovery plans — develop and test recovery procedures for mid-size network environments with limited oversight from senior architects.
  2. Firewall rules and security audit checklists — recommend and implement network security measures based on identified vulnerabilities in an enterprise setting.
  3. Network problem resolutions — diagnose and implement solutions for recurring connectivity or performance issues across familiar infrastructure segments.
  4. Routine network maintenance operations — manage file addition, deletion, and backup schedules independently across multi-site corporate networks.
  5. Network operations coordination — schedule and communicate maintenance windows, repairs, and upgrades to operations teams with reduced management involvement.
  6. Equipment installation projects — coordinate vendor and internal technician activities during new hardware deployments in a data center environment.
  7. Performance trend analysis — monitor and interpret network utilization metrics to identify inefficient resource usage and inform capacity planning decisions.
  8. Network-related documentation packages — produce and maintain accurate architecture diagrams, runbooks, and change logs for departmental infrastructure.
  9. Cloud-based management tools — configure and monitor cloud networking resources to support hybrid infrastructure in an established enterprise environment.
  10. Cross-functional communication — present network status and technical findings to IT operations peers through written reports and verbal briefings.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Enterprise disaster recovery frameworks — design, validate, and own end-to-end recovery strategies for complex, multi-site network environments autonomously.
  2. Advanced security architecture — develop and enforce layered network security measures including automated probes, intrusion detection, and audit programs across the full organization.
  3. Complex network problem resolution — independently analyze, architect, and implement solutions for non-routine failures spanning LAN, WAN, and cloud infrastructure.
  4. Infrastructure maintenance governance — oversee backup strategies, capacity thresholds, and lifecycle management policies for large-scale network environments.
  5. Network upgrade programs — lead coordination of major hardware and software upgrades across distributed sites, managing vendor relationships and stakeholder timelines.
  6. Capacity planning and performance optimization — evaluate network performance data and model growth scenarios to recommend resource allocation changes to leadership.
  7. Storage and cloud networking integration — design and implement storage networking and cloud-based management solutions that meet evolving organizational workload demands.
  8. Comprehensive technical documentation — author authoritative network architecture specifications, disaster recovery guides, and security policies consumed organization-wide.
  9. Systems evaluation and technology selection — assess emerging networking technologies and tools against business requirements using structured evaluation criteria.
  10. Mentorship and technical guidance — coach junior and mid-level network staff through complex problem-solving scenarios in a professional enterprise context.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational network strategy — define long-range architecture vision and roadmap aligned to business objectives, influencing executive and board-level technology decisions.
  2. Enterprise security posture — establish organization-wide network security governance frameworks, directing audit programs and risk mitigation investments at scale.
  3. Innovation pipeline leadership — identify and champion adoption of transformative networking technologies, guiding proof-of-concept initiatives from ideation to production deployment.
  4. Disaster resilience policy — own enterprise-wide business continuity and disaster recovery standards, ensuring cross-functional alignment with regulatory and compliance requirements.
  5. Network center of excellence — build and lead a practice of senior architects and engineers, setting quality standards and professional development pathways for the discipline.
  6. Capital and vendor strategy — negotiate enterprise agreements and direct multi-million-dollar infrastructure investments, balancing cost, performance, and risk at an organizational level.
  7. Cross-enterprise coordination model — design operational frameworks that govern network operations, maintenance, and incident response across geographically dispersed business units.
  8. Systems analysis at organizational scale — evaluate interdependencies between network infrastructure, application platforms, and business processes to inform enterprise transformation initiatives.
  9. Thought leadership and external representation — author industry white papers, present at professional conferences, and engage standards bodies to advance network architecture practices.
  10. Executive reporting and communication — translate complex network performance, risk, and investment data into strategic insights delivered to C-suite and board stakeholders.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors66 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Network Technician · Cloud Architect · Cloud Network Engineer · Computer Network Analyst · Computer Network Engineer · Computer Network Technologist · Data Communications Analyst · Enterprise Architect · Internetworking Technician (Internetworking Tech) · IT Analyst (Information Technology Analyst) · IT Network Engineer (Information Technology Network Engineer) · Network Analyst
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0219 · Network Technician
O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionProgrammingSystems EvaluationComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisWritingSpeakingCoordinationActive LearningQuality Control AnalysisMonitoringTime ManagementTechnology DesignPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations MonitoringMathematicsLearning StrategiesSocial Perceptiveness
Knowledge domains
Computers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingDesignCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematics
Abilities
Category FlexibilityInformation OrderingDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningNear VisionOral Expression
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityIntellectual CuriosityInnovationCautiousnessIntegrity
Technology
Access softwareDevelopment environment softwareVideo creation and editing softwareObject or component oriented development softwareNetwork monitoring softwareWeb platform development softwareData base management system softwareData base user interface and query softwareStorage networking softwareCloud-based management software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Develop disaster recovery plans.
  2. Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
  3. Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
  4. Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
  5. Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
  6. Coordinate installation of new equipment.
  7. 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.
  8. Develop network-related documentation.
CIP education codes
11.010111.010311.050111.090111.090211.100111.100314.090114.0999

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.