Principal Network Engineer

The Principal Network Engineer provides strategic technical leadership and governance for enterprise network, voice, telecommunications, and security infrastructure. This role oversees network architecture, ensures compliance with enterprise security standards, translates business requirements into technical solutions, and manages the performance of outsourced network service providers.

This is a 6 month contract to hire. Will require Monday-Thursday on site.

Key Responsibilities

Network Architecture & Security Governance

• Review and approve network architecture, designs, and infrastructure changes to ensure compliance with enterprise security, architectural, and PCI standards.
• Establish and maintain network standards, reference architectures, and design guidelines.
• Ensure high availability, disaster recovery, resiliency, and security requirements are incorporated into network solutions.
• Identify technical risks, design gaps, and security vulnerabilities and drive remediation.
• Oversee configuration management, software updates, and security patch compliance across network infrastructure.

Business Requirements & Project Delivery

• Partner with business and IT stakeholders to identify and translate business needs into technical network requirements.
• Evaluate proposed solutions, project estimates, and delivery timelines.
• Oversee implementation, testing, documentation, and transition of network solutions into production.
• Provide technical expertise and support for RFPs and RFIs.

Vendor & Service Level Management

• Manage outsourced network service provider performance, including SLAs, KPIs, availability, and incident resolution.
• Lead vendor performance reviews, escalations, and root cause analysis.
• Ensure contractual obligations and service commitments are met.
• Support contract governance, renewals, scope changes, and cost management.
• Coordinate with telecommunications carriers and other technology partners.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for complex network, firewall, voice, telephony, collaboration, and security issues.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend infrastructure improvements.
• Lead network technology assessments and strategic planning initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to IT team members.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, technologies, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive enterprise network infrastructure experience.
• Expert knowledge of routing, switching, LAN/WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, VPN, cloud networking, and telecommunications.
• Advanced firewall experience, including Palo Alto Networks (on-premises and cloud-delivered solutions) and Cisco ASA.
• Strong Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Network Access Control (NAC), 802.1X, and certificate-based authentication experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing SLAs, KPIs, and outsourced network service providers.
• Expertise in network availability, performance, security, and troubleshooting.
• Experience translating business requirements into technical architecture and solutions.
• Strong vendor management, project leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Visio.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelors degree
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) required.
• ITIL certification preferred.