Principal Network Engineer (Chicago)

Principal Network Engineer

Salary: Starting at $170k + bonus

Location: Chicago, IL or New York, NY

Hybrid: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote

*We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role*

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

• Design and evolve low-latency, highly resilient network architecture across global data center, co-location, and cloud-connected environments, with a focus on deterministic packet forwarding, scalability, and operational consistency
• Lead advanced routing design and implementation across complex global environments, including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, multicast, hybrid cloud connectivity, traffic engineering, and high-availability network patterns
• Conduct deep technical research, lab validation, and pre-implementation testing for major network initiatives, working closely with engineering and software development teams to evaluate hardware capabilities, identify design constraints, and optimize exchange performance based on findings
• Lead high-complexity strategic projects from design through execution, producing detailed technical designs, migration runbooks, capacity plans, and implementation guidance for large-scale network changes
• Develop and maintain Python-based network automation to support configuration management, change validation, testing, and operational efficiency, with direct experience using both API-driven and SSH-based automation approaches
• Partner across infrastructure, security, application, and business teams to align network design and delivery with technical requirements, operational goals, and broader organizational priorities, including support for budgeting and planning related to network hardware and software investments
• Serve as a senior technical leader and mentor across the engineering organization, driving architecture reviews, design standards, knowledge sharing, and technical development for other engineers
• Operate effectively in a fast-moving, dynamic environment where priorities can shift, balancing long-term architectural direction with immediate engineering and operational needs
• Contribute to monitoring and telemetry strategy by helping define meaningful visibility requirements and supporting the use of tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, or similar platforms where they improve operational insight and troubleshooting
• Support the development of technical standards, design documentation, and regulatory or audit-facing materials when needed, including documentation that may be used to support SEC or other regulatory review processes