Principal Network Architect

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and modernization of enterprise network infrastructure across data center, WAN, SD-WAN, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Develop high-level and low-level network designs, architecture diagrams, implementation plans, technical standards, and supporting documentation.
• Create and optimize enterprise routing and switching solutions using modern networking technologies and best practices.
• Build and support scalable network fabrics utilizing VXLAN, spine-leaf architectures, and underlay/overlay network designs.
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend improvements that enhance scalability, resiliency, security, and operational efficiency.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to engineering teams throughout project planning and implementation.
• Support complex deployments, migration activities, maintenance windows, and production cutovers.
• Troubleshoot advanced networking issues across large-scale enterprise environments.
• Participate in an on-call rotation and provide support during critical incidents and scheduled maintenance.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in a Principal, Lead, Architect, or advanced Senior Network Engineering role within a large enterprise environment.
• Expert-level knowledge of enterprise routing and switching, including strong experience with BGP and dynamic routing protocols.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise networking platforms, preferably Cisco Nexus 9000; comparable experience with Arista, Juniper, Aruba, or similar technologies is also acceptable.
• Proven experience designing enterprise network architectures and producing high-level and low-level technical designs and documentation.
• Experience designing and deploying VXLAN network fabrics.
• Strong understanding of spine-leaf architectures and underlay/overlay networking concepts.
• Experience supporting large-scale WAN environments connecting multiple business locations, campuses, data centers, or distributed sites.
• Working knowledge of hybrid cloud networking, including cloud routing, virtual networking, and connectivity between cloud and on-premises environments (GCP experience preferred).
• Willingness to participate in an on-call rotation and support occasional after-hours maintenance and implementation activities.

Nice to Haves

• CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Routing and Switching, or equivalent networking certification.
• Experience with network automation using Python, Ansible, Terraform, REST APIs, or Postman.
• Experience with Equinix connectivity solutions, including Fabric, Network Edge, or virtual backbone technologies.
• Experience with Fortinet technologies, including FortiGate firewalls, SD-WAN, centralized policy management, or related certifications.
• Experience supporting high-volume, low-latency enterprise or retail network environments.
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and provide technical leadership during complex implementations and troubleshooting efforts.
• Previous experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead on enterprise infrastructure initiatives.
• Additional experience with cloud routing and hybrid connectivity solutions, particularly within Google Cloud environments.
• Knowledge of secure network architecture principles, including zero-trust networking, segmentation, least-privilege access, and secure connectivity strategies.