Principal Network Architect

We are seeking an experienced Principal Network Architect to serve as a senior technical authority responsible for enterprise network architecture, technology strategy, and major network transformation initiatives across a large and complex environment. This role combines enterprise architecture, advanced network engineering, and technology strategy. The Principal Network Architect will establish architectural standards, evaluate emerging technologies, lead complex technical decisions, and provide technical leadership across critical network initiatives. The ideal candidate brings deep enterprise networking expertise and can operate effectively at both the strategic architecture and hands-on technical levels. Key Responsibilities Architecture & Technology Strategy Define enterprise network architecture principles, reference architectures, design patterns, technical standards, and implementation guidelines. Assess current-state architecture and identify technical debt, risks, modernization opportunities, and future-state requirements. Develop network modernization roadmaps aligned with business and technology strategy. Provide architectural direction for complex, multi-domain network initiatives. Ensure network solutions are scalable, resilient, secure, and operationally sustainable. Evaluate emerging networking technologies and determine their applicability within the enterprise environment. Technical Leadership Serve as a senior technical authority for complex network architecture and engineering decisions. Lead architecture reviews and technical design discussions. Provide architectural leadership for major implementations, migrations, and network transformation programs. Provide architecture-level guidance for highly complex or escalated network issues. Ensure root causes are identified and durable remediation strategies are implemented. Mentor engineers and other architects on network architecture and engineering best practices. Lead complex RFPs, technology evaluations, and supplier selection activities. Define technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and architectural standards for proposed solutions. Evaluate vendor architectures and recommendations against enterprise requirements. Establish and maintain strategic technical relationships with technology vendors and service providers. Cross-Functional Leadership Partner with engineering, operations, cybersecurity, infrastructure, application, and business teams. Communicate complex technical concepts and architectural trade-offs to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Build consensus across stakeholders while maintaining architectural standards. Provide technical leadership across enterprise network initiatives. Requirements Required Qualifications 15+ years of overall enterprise networking experience, including 8+ years of network architecture and design experience. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience. Hands-on architecture and implementation experience with Cisco IOS, Cisco ACI, Cisco Catalyst Center/DNAC, Cisco SDA, and enterprise wireless. Deep expertise across LAN, WAN, data center, wireless, network security, and cloud connectivity. Ability to architect integrated, end-to-end enterprise network solutions. Experience designing scalable, resilient, secure, and operationally sustainable network architectures. Proven experience leading complex RFPs and technology evaluations. Ability to establish technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and architecture recommendations. Experience leading senior-level technical discussions and influencing architecture decisions. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Experience managing strategic technical relationships with major technology vendors and service providers. Ability to operate at both strategic architecture and hands-on technical levels. Preferred Qualifications Experience architecting large-scale distributed enterprise networks within manufacturing or other mission-critical environments. Experience leading enterprise network transformation, modernization, migration, and segmentation initiatives. Experience with software-defined networking architectures. Experience with network automation, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), AI-enabled operations, and advanced network analytics. Experience with manufacturing/OT networking. Experience with Cisco ISE, firewalls, enterprise WAN, IPAM/DNS/DHCP platforms, private 5G, ServiceNow, and network monitoring/observability tools. #J-18808-Ljbffr Appathon, LLC