Principal Network Engineer - CCIE / Multicasting (Chicago)

NO SPONSORSHIP - NO OPT

Principal Network Engineer

SALARY: $170K - $254K PLUS 15% BONUS

LOCATION: CHICAGO, IL

Hybrid 4 days onsite, 1 day remote

Expert-level, highly prefer fin tech experience. On prem and cloud AWS, CCIE or on way, preferred. BGP, OSPF MPLS multicast, hybrid cloud connectivity, python-based network automation.

Success in this role requires both deep technical expertise and strong communication skills. The Principal Engineer must be able to translate complex architectural decisions, trade-offs, and risks into clear, actionable insights for both engineering teams and senior leadership. The ideal candidate holds (or is actively pursuing) a CCIE certification, writes production-quality Python, and is comfortable working with modern observability platforms such as Prometheus and Grafana to drive data-informed engineering decisions.

The ideal candidate has:

• 10+ years of hands-on network engineering experience in mission-critical, low-latency environments, with a strong track record operating and evolving high-performance network infrastructure
• Deep expertise in low-latency and deterministic network design, including practical experience analyzing latency, jitter, and end-to-end traffic behavior in production environments
• Advanced knowledge of routing protocols at scale, including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, and multicast (PIM-SM/SSM), with proven experience designing resilient, highly available global networks
• Strong understanding of network hardware and platform capabilities across major vendors, with the ability to evaluate limitations and optimize design decisions through hands-on research and lab validation
• Experience designing and supporting hybrid cloud connectivity, including AWS networking constructs such as Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPCs, and route integration
• Proven experience building and maintaining Python-based network automation, including API-driven and SSH-based approaches for configuration management, testing, and operational efficiency
• Working knowledge of observability and telemetry concepts, with exposure to platforms such as Prometheus, Grafana, or similar tools for network visibility and performance analysis
• Strong background in leading technical research, proof-of-concept validation, and pre-implementation design for large-scale network initiatives
• Solid understanding of network security fundamentals, including segmentation, access control, and zero-trust principles as they apply to network design
• Experience operating in fast-paced, highly dynamic environments, with the ability to adapt to