Principal Engineer

Verisign helps enable the security, stability, and resiliency of the internet. We are a trusted provider of internet infrastructure services for the networked world and deliver unmatched performance in domain name system (DNS) services. We are a mission focused, values driven company where each individual can contribute to building a stronger, more secure internet. We offer a dynamic and flexible work environment with competitive benefits and the ability to grow your career.The Principal Engineer is responsible for developing, managing, and optimizing the organization’s global Internet interconnection strategy. This role oversees settlement-free peering, paid peering, IP transit, Internet Exchange (IX) participation, traffic engineering, routing policy, and strategic relationships with network operators, content providers, cloud providers, carriers, and Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).The ideal candidate possesses strong technical networking expertise, business negotiation skills, and industry engagement experience to improve network performance, reduce transit costs, increase resiliency, and support the company’s global connectivity objectives.Responsibilities:Interconnection StrategyDevelop and execute the global peering and interconnection strategyIdentify opportunities to expand peering relationships and optimize transit utilizationDrive network growth through strategic partnerships with ISPs, cloud providers, content networks, CDNs, carriers, and hyperscalersEvaluate new IX opportunities and regional expansion initiativesEstablish KPIs for traffic offload, cost reduction, latency improvements, and resiliencyPeering ManagementNegotiate and manage:Settlement-Free PeeringBilateral PeeringMultilateral PeeringPublic PeeringPrivate PeeringMaintain peering policies and qualification requirementsManage relationships through:PeeringDBIX communitiesIndustry forumsNetwork operator groupsCoordinate onboarding and operational support for new peersResolve peering disputes, routing issues, and traffic imbalancesInternet Exchange (IX) OperationsManage participation across global Internet ExchangesEvaluate IX performance and ROICoordinate provisioning of:Cross-connectsPort upgradesNew exchange deploymentsDevelop business cases for new IX expansionMaintain relationships with IX operators and executive leadershipIP Transit ManagementManage global transit providers and carrier relationshipsConduct transit capacity planningNegotiate contracts and pricingEvaluate transit performance and redundancy requirementsDevelop strategies to reduce transit costs through increased peeringMonitor traffic shifts between transit and peering environmentsRouting & Traffic EngineeringDefine and maintain routing policiesOptimize traffic flows across:PeeringTransitIX fabricsPrivate interconnectionsManage traffic engineering initiatives using:BGP communitiesLocal PreferenceMEDAS Path PrependingAnalyze traffic patterns and forecast growthImprove latency, packet loss, and path optimizationIndustry EngagementRepresent the company at:NANOGRIPEAPRICOTLACNICARINAPNICGlobal Peering ForumBuild executive-level relationships across the Internet ecosystemParticipate in policy discussions and industry working groupsMonitor industry trends affecting interconnection and Internet governanceCross-Functional LeadershipsPartner with:Network EngineeringInfrastructure OperationsSecurityProduct ManagementLegalProcurementFinanceDevelop executive reporting and dashboardsPresent interconnection strategy and performance metrics to senior leadershipRequired Technical ExpertiseRouting ProtocolsBGP-4 (Border Gateway Protocol)eBGPiBGPRoute ReflectorsConfederationsBGP CommunitiesLarge CommunitiesFlowspecCore Internet ProtocolsIPv4IPv6ICMPTCP/IPUDPMPLSRouting TechnologiesOSPFIS-ISSegment RoutingEVPNVXLANInternet InfrastructureInternet Exchanges (IX)Route ServersRoute CollectorsCDN ArchitecturesAnycastDNS InfrastructureDDoS Mitigation ArchitecturesContent Delivery NetworksRouting SecurityRPKIROA ValidationASPABGPsecMANRSIRR DatabasesRoute FilteringPrefix FilteringMonitoring & AnalyticsNetFlowsFlowIPFIXSNMPTelemetryTraffic Analytics PlatformsCapacity Planning ToolsCloud & Interconnection PlatformsAWS Direct ConnectAzure ExpressRouteGoogle Cloud InterconnectOracle FastConnectEquinix FabricMegaportBusiness & Commercial ResponsibilitiesPeering negotiationsTransit contract negotiationsCapacity planning and budgetingVendor managementCost optimization initiativesSLA managementRisk assessment and mitigationExecutive reporting and forecastingRequirements:Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, or related field15+ years related engineering experience7+ years of Internet networking experience5+ years of peering, transit, or interconnection experienceExperience managing relationships with ISPs, carriers, cloud providers, and IX operatorsProven experience negotiating peering and transit agreementsExperience operating large-scale global networksPreferred CertificationsCCNP Service ProviderCCIE Service ProviderJNCIP-SPJNCIE-SPAWS Advanced Networking SpecialtyMANRS Certification KnowledgeRPKI Deployment ExperienceThis position is based in our Reston, VA office and offers a hybrid work schedule.The pay range is $180,700 - $244,500.The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is noted above, however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience. Verisign offers a discretionary bonus which is based on individual and company performance, and certain roles may be eligible for discretionary stock awards.Verisign is an equal opportunity employer. That means we recruit, hire, compensate, train, promote, transfer, and administer all terms and conditions of employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected categories under applicable law.Additional Information:Our Careers PageOur Benefits SummaryVerisign in the CommunityOur EEO StatementOur Privacy Notice for Job Applicants/CandidatesReasonable AccommodationsStaffing agency policy: No fees will be paid for unsolicited resumes submitted to Verisign or our employees by third parties.