Principal Network Architect Data Center & Hybrid Cloud (AWS) || REMOTE || Contract
Posted 2 days ago by iPeople Infosystems LLC
Negotiable
Undetermined
Remote
Remote
Summary: The Principal Network Architect for Data Center & Hybrid Cloud (AWS) is a senior technical leadership role focused on designing and modernizing large-scale enterprise networking environments. This position requires expertise in various networking technologies and the ability to guide engineering teams through complex transformations. The ideal candidate will have a strong emphasis on high availability, scalability, security, and automation in network architecture. The role is remote and contract-based, requiring extensive experience in enterprise-scale networking solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and evolve enterprise-scale Data Center and Hybrid Cloud network architectures.
- Lead architecture strategy for multi-site data centers, EVPN-VXLAN overlays, and AWS hybrid cloud integration.
- Develop HLDs, LLDs, standards, and reference architectures.
- Expert-level knowledge of BGP, MP-BGP EVPN, OSPF, ECMP, route redistribution, and policy-based routing.
- Troubleshoot complex routing and switching environments.
- Design and support Cisco ACI, VXLAN overlays, EVPN control planes, and Spine-Leaf fabrics.
- Deep understanding of tenants, bridge domains, VRFs, contracts, and policies.
- Extensive expertise with VLANs, trunking, STP/RSTP/MST, EtherChannel, Port-Channel, LACP, VPC/MLAG, and jumbo frames.
- Strong understanding of MAC learning, broadcast domains, and convergence behavior.
- Architect hybrid cloud connectivity using AWS Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPNs, and BGP-based routing.
- Deep expertise with AWS VPCs, route tables, security groups, and multi-region networking.
- Drive network automation initiatives using Python, Ansible, Terraform, APIs, and GitOps methodologies.
- Mentor engineers, lead design reviews, and interface with executive leadership and vendors.
Key Skills:
- 12+ years of progressive network engineering and architecture experience.
- 5+ years designing enterprise-scale data center and cloud networking solutions.
- Expert-level expertise in BGP, OSPF, MP-BGP EVPN, VXLAN, Cisco ACI, VLANs, Port-Channels/LACP, VRFs, and Spine-Leaf architectures.
- Deep AWS networking expertise including VPC, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, and hybrid routing.
- Strong troubleshooting, packet analysis, and operational capabilities.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco Nexus, Catalyst, Arista, or Juniper platforms.
- Experience with Kubernetes/container networking.
- Experience with SD-WAN and Zero Trust networking concepts.
- Multi-cloud networking experience preferred.
- Familiarity with network observability and telemetry platforms.
- Preferred certifications: Cisco CCIE, Cisco CCNP Data Center, AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty, AWS Solutions Architect Professional, VMware VCP-NV, Juniper JNCIE.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: undetermined
Country: undetermined
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: IT
Detailed Description From Employer:
Job Title: Principal Network Architect Data Center & Hybrid Cloud (AWS)
Location: REMOTE
Type: Contract
Job Overview
Principal Network Architect Data Center &
Hybrid Cloud (AWS)
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Network Architect to lead the design, architecture, modernization, and
operational strategy of large-scale enterprise data center and hybrid cloud networking environments. This role is
responsible for defining next-generation network architecture standards across on-premises data centers and hybrid
cloud infrastructure with a strong focus on high availability, scalability, security, automation, and operational
excellence.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in enterprise and service-provider-grade networking technologies
including BGP, OSPF, MP-BGP EVPN, VXLAN, Cisco ACI, Spine-Leaf architectures, VLANs, Port-Channels/LACP,
AWS networking, SDN, and cloud connectivity architectures.
This is a senior technical leadership role requiring hands-on architectural capability, executive communication skills,
and the ability to guide engineering teams through complex transformation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture & Design
- Design and evolve enterprise-scale Data Center and Hybrid Cloud network architectures.
- Lead architecture strategy for multi-site data centers, EVPN-VXLAN overlays, and AWS hybrid cloud integration.
- Develop HLDs, LLDs, standards, and reference architectures.
Routing & Switching Expertise
- Expert-level knowledge of BGP, MP-BGP EVPN, OSPF, ECMP, route redistribution, and policy-based routing.
- Troubleshoot complex routing and switching environments.
Data Center Networking
- Design and support Cisco ACI, VXLAN overlays, EVPN control planes, and Spine-Leaf fabrics.
- Deep understanding of tenants, bridge domains, VRFs, contracts, and policies.
Layer 2 Technologies
- Extensive expertise with VLANs, trunking, STP/RSTP/MST, EtherChannel, Port-Channel, LACP, VPC/MLAG, and
jumbo frames.
- Strong understanding of MAC learning, broadcast domains, and convergence behavior.
Hybrid Cloud & AWS Networking
- Architect hybrid cloud connectivity using AWS Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPNs, and BGP-based routing.
- Deep expertise with AWS VPCs, route tables, security groups, and multi-region networking.
Automation & Infrastructure as Code
- Drive network automation initiatives using Python, Ansible, Terraform, APIs, and GitOps methodologies.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Mentor engineers, lead design reviews, and interface with executive leadership and vendors.
Required Qualifications
- 12+ years of progressive network engineering and architecture experience.
- 5+ years designing enterprise-scale data center and cloud networking solutions.
- Expert-level expertise in BGP, OSPF, MP-BGP EVPN, VXLAN, Cisco ACI, VLANs, Port-Channels/LACP, VRFs, and
Spine-Leaf architectures.
- Deep AWS networking expertise including VPC, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, and hybrid routing.
- Strong troubleshooting, packet analysis, and operational capabilities.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco Nexus, Catalyst, Arista, or Juniper platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Kubernetes/container networking.
- Experience with SD-WAN and Zero Trust networking concepts.
- Multi-cloud networking experience preferred.
- Familiarity with network observability and telemetry platforms.
Preferred Certifications
- Cisco CCIE (Enterprise Infrastructure or Data Center)
- Cisco CCNP Data Center
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty
- AWS Solutions Architect Professional
- VMware VCP-NV
- Juniper JNCIE (preferred)
Core Technology Stack
Cisco ACI, Cisco Nexus 9K, BGP, MP-BGP EVPN, VXLAN, OSPF, VLANs, Port-Channels/LACP, AWS Direct
Connect, Transit Gateway, Terraform, Ansible, Python, VMware NSX.