Senior Wireless Network Architect
Location: Auckland
Type: Contract
Travel: Some travel to sites across New Zealand
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Wireless Network Architect to lead the design of a large-scale wireless network modernisation programme across multiple operational, manufacturing and warehouse locations throughout New Zealand.
This is a senior technical design role responsible for developing the target wireless architecture and establishing repeatable design standards that can be deployed across a diverse range of sites.
Working primarily within a Cisco enterprise networking environment, you will assess existing infrastructure, business and operational requirements, and develop robust wireless solutions capable of supporting corporate users, operational technology, mobile devices, scanners, IoT equipment and other site-based technologies.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture and high-level design of enterprise wireless solutions across multiple sites.
- Develop standardised wireless architecture and design patterns for nationwide deployment.
- Assess existing WLAN, LAN, switching, cabling and supporting infrastructure.
- Design solutions using modern Cisco wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 where appropriate.
- Develop RF, coverage, capacity, roaming and channel strategies.
- Determine appropriate access point types, positioning and antenna configurations for complex industrial environments.
- Consider requirements across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz environments, including legacy device compatibility.
- Design network segmentation, VLAN, authentication, NAC and security requirements.
- Consider integration between corporate IT and operational/OT environments.
- Identify where specialist industrial wireless technologies may be required for operational or mission-critical use cases.
- Work closely with Network Engineers, implementation teams, site stakeholders and third-party vendors.
- Provide technical governance and resolve design exceptions identified during site deployments.
- Produce architecture documentation, standards, diagrams and detailed technical designs.
Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience designing large-scale enterprise wireless networks.
- Strong Cisco wireless and enterprise networking experience.
- Excellent knowledge of WLAN architecture, RF design and optimisation.
- Strong understanding of Wi-Fi standards including 802.11ax / Wi-Fi 6/6E and ideally Wi-Fi 7.
- Experience with Cisco Catalyst wireless infrastructure and wireless controllers.
- Strong LAN, switching, routing, VLAN and network security knowledge.
- Experience with enterprise authentication and network access control such as 802.1X and Cisco ISE.
- Experience with wireless survey/design tools such as Ekahau would be highly advantageous.
- Experience designing wireless solutions within manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, industrial or similarly complex environments is highly desirable.
- Understanding of OT/IT network integration would be advantageous.
- Ability to translate operational requirements into scalable technical architecture.
About You
You will be a senior networking professional who can combine strategic architecture with strong technical wireless knowledge. You will be comfortable designing solutions for complex physical environments and establishing standards that can be repeatedly deployed across a nationwide organisation.
