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Principal Architect, Network & Infrastructure

Vaco
$160,000.00 - $180,000.00 / yr
United States, Texas, Houston
Feb 19, 2026
Principal IT Architect Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Principal IT Architect with 8-10 years of progressive technical experience to lead and modernize a complex IT/OT environment. This role is 80-90% technical and architecture-focused, with 10-20% people leadership responsibilities overseeing a small engineering team.

This is not a strategic, high-level director role. The ideal candidate is a deeply technical architect who remains close to the infrastructure, actively designs solutions, and participates in implementation. Candidates who have been removed from hands-on work for several years will not be a fit.

The Principal IT Architect will play a critical role in driving digital transformation, reducing technical debt, and designing next-generation infrastructure across a growing manufacturing and field-based operational footprint.

Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Architecture
  • Design and implement next-generation IT/OT network architecture.

  • Lead Zero Trust Architecture initiatives (early-phase implementation).

  • Oversee modernization and cleanup of significant legacy technical debt.

  • Architect scalable infrastructure supporting 300-400 field sites with SCADA telemetry over cellular.

  • Improve network segmentation (VLANs, WiFi, OT/IT separation).

  • Support buildout of a new 400,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.

  • Ensure proper separation and security of cloud-based IT and on-premise OT environments.

Infrastructure & Environment
  • Lead architecture across:

    • Fortinet (IT/OT firewalls and networking)

    • VMware (on-premises virtualization)

    • Microsoft Azure (cloud infrastructure)

    • SaaS-heavy application landscape

  • Maintain and evolve a Microsoft-centric ecosystem (no AWS strategy).

  • Support a distributed footprint including two Houston-area facilities and multiple remote field locations.

Team Leadership
  • Provide technical leadership to:

    • Network Engineer

    • SCADA Engineer

    • OT Engineer

  • Collaborate closely with cybersecurity leadership.

  • Report directly to the CIO and work alongside senior IT leaders.

  • Contribute to team expansion as the department grows to five members this year.

Required Qualifications
  • 8-10 years of hands-on IT infrastructure and architecture experience.

  • Proven experience designing scalable enterprise network architectures.

  • Strong background in:

    • Fortinet networking/security

    • VMware (on-prem)

    • Microsoft Azure

    • Hybrid IT/OT environments

  • Experience implementing network segmentation and Zero Trust principles.

  • Demonstrated ability to architect infrastructure supporting distributed field operations.

  • Track record of long-term tenure and commitment in prior roles.

  • Willingness to work on-site 3-4 days per week in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting OT environments and/or SCADA systems.

  • Experience supporting large facility buildouts or manufacturing environments.

  • Prior experience leading small, highly technical teams.

  • Demonstrated ability to clean up legacy environments and drive digital transformation.

What Will Not Be a Fit
  • Candidates primarily from MSP or consulting environments.

  • Individuals with 3-4+ years in purely director-level roles removed from hands-on work.

  • Candidates with a pattern of short-term (annual) job changes.

  • Individuals seeking rapid promotion or using the role as a stepping stone.

Work Environment
  • On-site presence required 3-4 days per week.

  • Physical presence is essential for troubleshooting and collaboration.

  • Manufacturing setting requiring a hands-on, solution-oriented mindset.

  • Occasional remote flexibility, but not a remote-first role.

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

  • California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
  • Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
  • Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
  • Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
  • Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

  • the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
  • licensure and certification requirements;
  • office location and other geographic considerations;
  • other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.

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