Sr Principal Network Engineer

Overview We are seeking a Principal Network Engineer with expertise in Cisco ACI, Nexus platforms, and modern data center networking. The role requires leadership in designing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise-grade, scalable, and secure networks across colocation and hybrid environments. Responsibilities Design and implement scalable, secure, high-performance network solutions. Architect and manage ACI fabrics, Arista networks, and hybrid cloud connectivity. Lead deployment and lifecycle management of firewalls, load balancers, and SDN solutions. Drive network automation with Ansible for consistency and compliance. Collaborate with cloud, security, and DevOps teams to align network infrastructure with business needs. Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and best practices to engineers. Troubleshoot complex issues and lead root cause analysis. Evaluate emerging technologies to improve resilience, performance, and security. Must Have: 10+ years in enterprise networking, incl. 3+ years in a principal/lead role Strong knowledge of L2/L3 protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, etc.). Hands-on expertise with Cisco ACI, Nexus (2K–9K), Arista VXLAN/EVPN, CloudVision. Good understanding of firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet) and VMware NSX/AVI. Proficiency in Ansible / automation / infra-as-code Ability to design, troubleshoot, and lead complex network solutions. Nice to Have: Familiarity with UCS, Hyperflex, VMware, Kubernetes Experience with hybrid cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) Exposure to overlay technologies (OTV, LISP, BGP EVPN) CCNP/CCIE or equivalent certifications Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Contract Job function Information Technology Location: Plano, TX #J-18808-Ljbffr Process Global