Sr. Network Architect

Client: Apple


Location: 5501 W Parmer Ln, Austin, TX 78727, USA (3 days per week required in office)


Rate: $80-85/hr C2C OR $75/hr on W2


They'll take candidates interested in moving to Austin, TX.


Responsibilities


Job Title: Network Architect


Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) Fabric Migration Planning & Deployment


Position Summary


We are seeking a Senior Network Engineer to lead the planning, design refinement, configuration development, and deployment readiness activities for large-scale spine/leaf campus deployments.


This is a strategic, onsite (Austin, TX headquarters) networking lead role responsible for developing standardized configurations, validating designs, building detailed runbooks, and ensuring field deployment teams are fully prepared for successful site migrations. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong documentation discipline, a consultative mindset, and cross-functional coordination skills.


Primary Responsibilities


Deployment Planning & Strategy

• Lead end-to-end deployment planning for SD-Access Fabric replacement network.
• Translate High-Level Designs (HLDs) into detailed, deployment-ready Low-Level Designs (LLDs).
• Develop and execute phased IPv4-to-IPv6 migration strategies (dual-stack, phased transition, or full native IPv6).
• Develop scalable, repeatable site deployment models.
• Identify technical risks and define mitigation strategies prior to cutovers.
• Define validation criteria and success metrics for each deployment phase.

Configuration Development & Standardization

• Refine standardized configuration templates for:
  • SD-Access Fabric
  • Underlay and overlay routing
  • Segmentation (VRFs, VLANs, policies)
  • QoS and application-aware routing
• Validate route redistribution and failover behaviours.
• Support automation efforts (templating, scripting, zero-touch provisioning).

Runbook & MOP Creation

• Author detailed Method of Procedure (MOP) documents for:
  • SD-Access Fabric planning and migration
  • IPv4 and IPv6 addressing changes
• Develop step-by-step deployment runbooks for field engineers.
• Create standardized rollback procedures.
• Define pre-cutover validation and post-cutover verification checklists.
• Ensure documentation is clear, repeatable, and aligned with change management processes.

Technical Oversight & Support

• Provide real-time remote support during site cutovers for initial pilots.
• Review field deployment feedback and refine processes accordingly.
• Validate as-built configurations against design intent.
• Continuously refine deployment standards based on field feedback.

Governance & Change Control

• Review and approve change requests for network deployments.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise architecture and security standards.
• Maintain master design documentation and configuration baselines.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of deployment methodology.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of enterprise networking experience.
• 5+ years of SD-Access Fabric architecture experience.
• Proven experience building deployment documentation and standardized configuration templates.
• Demonstrated experience leading IPv6 migration initiatives in production environments.
• Strong expertise in:
  • BGP (policy design, route control, redistribution)
  • OSPF and multi-area design
  • Underlay/overlay architecture
  • EVPN-VXLAN or software-defined campus solutions
  • WAN resiliency and failover strategies
  • Network segmentation and policy enforcement

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale multi-site rollouts (50+ sites).
• Network automation experience (Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• Experience with routing, switching, wireless, and firewalls.
• Experience in regulated or uptime-sensitive environments (industrial, manufacturing, utilities).
• Experience with Cisco, Arista, Palo Alto Networks, and Open Gear solutions.
• CCNP R&S or equivalent.

Core Competencies

• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Systems-level thinking and architectural awareness.
• Ability to anticipate deployment risks before execution.
• Strong collaboration skills with PMs, field engineers, and vendors.
• Analytical mindset with structured problem-solving approach.
• Comfortable providing leadership without direct authority.

Work Environment

• Primarily onsite at customer campus located in Austin, TX.
• Occasional participation in after-hours migration bridge calls as escalation lead.
• Limited travel; focused on planning, validation, and oversight rather than physical deployment.