Principal Network Engineer

About the role

Upbound Group, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Principal Network Engineer with deep expertise in Cisco technologies to lead the design, deployment, and management of enterprise-grade networking solutions. This role requires hands-on experience across Route, Switch, Security and Data Center disciplines along with modern cloud networking skills in AWS and proficiency in infrastructure automation and Python scripting.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy network architectures that meet organizational needs, including software-defined networks and cloud-based platforms
• Architect and manage Cisco-based infrastructure including Catalyst and Nexus switching, Catalyst routers, ACI fabric, and wireless (Cisco/Meraki)
• Administer and optimize ACI environments, including policy configuration, fabric management, and service integration
• Lead deployment and lifecycle management of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), including policy enforcement, device profiling, and 802.1X authentication
• Design and support AWS Advanced Networking solutions including VPCs, Transit Gateways, Direct Connect, and hybrid connectivity
• Develop and manage infrastructure-as-code (IaC) frameworks using tools such as Terraform, Ansible, and CloudFormation
• Write and maintain Python scripts to automate network provisioning, configuration management, and monitoring
• Monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues to ensure high availability and reliability
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Cloud, Security, DevOps, App Teams) to ensure reliable and secure connectivity
• Own high-level troubleshooting and root cause analysis for critical incidents across on-premises and cloud environments
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, network diagrams, and standards for existing and future-state architecture
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership for strategic initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Security, or a related field
• 8–10 years of hands-on experience with Cisco enterprise technologies, including: Routing & Switching (OSPF, BGP, VRF, HSRP, STP), Cisco Nexus (5K/7K/9K), Catalyst Series, Cisco ACI (EPGs, Contracts, BDs), Cisco Meraki Networking (MX, MS, MR), Cisco ISE, SDA (fabric design, segmentation, policy sets)
• Deep knowledge of AWS networking services, including: VPC, Subnets, Security Groups, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect, Cloud-native services: DNS, load balancing, proxies and VPN
• Proficiency with Python and experience building automation scripts/tools for networking use cases
• Solid experience with infrastructure as code (e.g., Ansible, Terraform, Git)
• Strong understanding of Layer 2/3 protocols, network security, and performance tuning
• Experience with monitoring and telemetry tools (NetFlow, SNMP, Syslog, etc.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to influence technical decisions and drive projects forward

Preferred Qualifications

• Cisco certifications: CCNP, CCIE (R&S or DC), or equivalent
• AWS certifications: AWS Certified Advanced Networking
• Experience with SD-WAN and SASE architectures
• Relevant certifications or professional training in cybersecurity architecture, IAM, or Zero Trust Network Access
• Exposure to network policy frameworks and automation APIs (ACI, Meraki, AWS)

Benefits

• Full health benefits-Medical/Dental/Vision
• 401(k) match, 6%/3% DTO (discretionary time off)
• Health savings account (HSA) with company contribution
• College tuition reimbursement program (STEM degrees)
• Unlimited use of LinkedIn Learning