Network Architect

HYBRID WORK - 3 DAYS ONSITE / 190K-205k / Stamford, CT

We are seeking a Network Architect / Modernization Leader to drive the transformation of our enterprise Cisco network infrastructure. This role is responsible for evolving legacy environments into modern, scalable, secure, and automated network architectures, leveraging emerging technologies such as SDWAN, cloud integration, and zero trust design. The ideal candidate combines deep Cisco expertise with a forwardthinking approach to modernization, automation, and business alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Network Modernization Strategy

Lead the end-to-end modernization strategy for enterprise network infrastructure

Assess current-state environments and define future-state architecture roadmaps

Drive migration from legacy designs to:

SDWAN (Cisco Viptela / Meraki)

Software-defined and intent-based networking

Zero Trust and segmentation-based architectures

Align network strategy with cloud, security, and business transformation initiatives

Architecture & Design Leadership

Architect enterprise-grade network solutions across:

Campus, data center, and WAN environments

Multi-site and geographically distributed networks

Design core/distribution/access architectures and modern data center fabrics:

Cisco Nexus, Catalyst, ACI, VXLAN/EVPN

Define standards for:

High availability, resiliency, and fault tolerance

Traffic engineering and routing design (BGP, OSPF)

Security & Zero Trust Enablement

Drive network security architecture including:

Segmentation (VRF, microsegmentation)

Firewalls (Cisco Firepower, Palo Alto, Fortinet)

Identity-based access and Zero Trust models

Ensure compliance with enterprise security frameworks and policies

Automation & Innovation

Champion network automation and programmability:

Python, Ansible, REST APIs, Terraform

Move towards Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) for network provisioning and management

Evaluate and implement emerging technologies and tools

Leadership & Governance

Act as a technical leader and thought partner across infrastructure, security, and cloud teams

Mentor engineers and define architecture standards and best practices

Lead design reviews, architecture governance, and technical decision-making

Communicate complex technical strategies to executive stakeholders

Required Qualifications

10+ years of experience in network engineering/architecture, with leadership responsibilities

Deep expertise in Cisco enterprise networking technologies, including:

Catalyst, Nexus, Cisco routing platforms

Proven experience leading network modernization initiatives

Strong knowledge of:

Routing protocols (BGP, OSPF)

Network segmentation and security architecture

Experience designing large-scale, multi-site enterprise networks

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Qualifications

Cisco certifications:

CCNP or CCIE (strongly preferred)

Experience with:

Cisco SDWAN (Viptela / Meraki)

Cisco ACI / VXLAN / EVPN data center fabrics

Hybrid cloud networking (AWS/Azure)

Experience with:

Network automation (Python, Ansible, Terraform)

Background in regulated, high-availability environments