Distinguished Engineer – Data Center Network Architecture & Engineering

Position Description

As a Distinguished Engineer, you will establish the technical vision and engineering strategy for GEICO's data center network infrastructure. You will lead the architecture and development of highly scalable Layer 3 Clos fabrics, software-defined networking platforms, cloud networking services, and network automation frameworks that enable self-service infrastructure at enterprise scale.

• Define the long-term architectural vision for GEICO's data center network infrastructure.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to guide strategic investments and platform evolution.
• Lead the design and implementation of software-defined networking capabilities across private cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
• Build automated network provisioning and lifecycle management platforms utilizing APIs, Infrastructure-as-Code, and GitOps methodologies.
• Develop frameworks for automated network validation, configuration management, compliance enforcement, and operational remediation.
• Drive adoption of programmable networking using SmartNICs, DPUs, and open hardware abstraction technologies.
• Partner with OpenStack, Kubernetes, Storage, and Platform Engineering teams to deliver integrated cloud networking solutions.
• Architect networking solutions supporting Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), AI/ML platforms, and emerging cloud services.
• Define connectivity patterns between on-premises infrastructure and public cloud providers.
• Enable secure, scalable multi-tenant networking capabilities across cloud platforms.
• Lead network performance engineering initiatives to improve throughput, latency, availability, and operational efficiency.
• Define observability standards leveraging telemetry, analytics, monitoring, and automated diagnostics.
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to implement Zero Trust architectures, segmentation strategies, and cloud-native security controls.
• Drive continuous improvement through operational excellence, automation, and resilience engineering.

Position Responsibilities

• Architecture & Strategy
  • Establish standards and reference architectures for data center fabrics, cloud networking, hybrid connectivity, and network security.
  • Drive technical roadmaps for network modernization, automation, and software-defined infrastructure initiatives.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to guide strategic investments and platform evolution.
• Data Center Networking
  • Design and evolve large-scale data center network architectures supporting virtualization, container platforms, bare metal infrastructure, and cloud-native applications.
  • Architect highly available network services supporting multi-site and multi-region deployments.
  • Define resiliency, redundancy, and disaster recovery strategies for mission-critical infrastructure.
• Software-Defined Networking & Automation
  • Lead the design and implementation of software-defined networking capabilities across private cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
  • Build automated network provisioning and lifecycle management platforms utilizing APIs, Infrastructure-as-Code, and GitOps methodologies.
  • Develop frameworks for automated network validation, configuration management, compliance enforcement, and operational remediation.
  • Drive adoption of programmable networking using SmartNICs, DPUs, and open hardware abstraction technologies.
• Cloud & Platform Integration
  • Partner with OpenStack, Kubernetes, Storage, and Platform Engineering teams to deliver integrated cloud networking solutions.
  • Architect networking solutions supporting Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), AI/ML platforms, and emerging cloud services.
  • Define connectivity patterns between on-premises infrastructure and public cloud providers.
  • Enable secure, scalable multi-tenant networking capabilities across cloud platforms.
• Performance, Security & Reliability
  • Lead network performance engineering initiatives to improve throughput, latency, availability, and operational efficiency.
  • Define observability standards leveraging telemetry, analytics, monitoring, and automated diagnostics.
  • Partner with cybersecurity teams to implement Zero Trust architectures, segmentation strategies, and cloud-native security controls.
  • Drive continuous improvement through operational excellence, automation, and resilience engineering.
• Technical Leadership
  • Serve as the organization's most senior technical authority for network architecture and design.
  • Mentor Principal, Senior Staff, and Staff Engineers across multiple organizations.
  • Lead architecture reviews, technical design decisions, and engineering strategy discussions.
  • Build strong partnerships across Infrastructure, Security, Cloud, and Engineering leadership teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Deep expertise in modern data center networking architectures and large-scale network design.
• Advanced understanding of Layer 2/Layer 3 protocols including: BGP, EVPN, VXLAN, ECMP, MPLS, OSPF.
• Experience designing and operating leaf-spine and Clos network fabrics.
• Strong understanding of software-defined networking architectures and network virtualization technologies.
• Cloud & Infrastructure Experience designing networking solutions for private, hybrid, and public cloud environments.
• Familiarity with OpenStack networking services including Neutron and related networking components.
• Experience supporting large-scale virtualized and bare metal environments.
• Strong software development skills in one or more of the following: Go, Python, C/C++, Rust, Java.
• Experience building automation platforms, APIs, and infrastructure services.
• Strong knowledge of Linux system architecture and distributed systems.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex network performance, availability, and scaling challenges.
• Strong understanding of observability, telemetry, monitoring, and incident response practices.
• Excellent analytical and systems-thinking capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction across multiple engineering organizations.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills.
• Proven track record mentoring senior technical talent and driving organization-wide engineering initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of networking, infrastructure, or cloud engineering experience.
• 10+ years designing enterprise or hyperscale network architectures.
• Experience with open networking technologies and disaggregated network operating systems.
• Experience with SmartNICs, DPUs, programmable switches, and hardware acceleration technologies.
• Familiarity with Open Compute Project (OCP) networking technologies and Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI).
• Experience with large-scale cloud providers or cloud service architectures.
• Experience supporting AI/ML, GPU, or high-performance computing networking environments.
• Experience implementing Infrastructure-as-Code and GitOps operating models.
• Knowledge of Zero Trust networking and network security architectures.