Principle Network Architect

Astreya • Boulder, CO

1d

About The Position

The Principal Network Architect owns network architecture standards and the Building Block topology framework for the physical security estate, establishing designs for the senior team to implement. The role defines perimeter resilience and high-availability strategies, network security and configuration standards, zero-touch configuration automation, and monitoring, inventory, and observability standards. It also owns hardware and firmware lifecycle strategy, refresh planning, end-of-life evaluation, and vendor selection across Cisco, Juniper, and Arista platforms.

As the final escalation point for complex network incidents and architectural decisions, the Principal Network Architect partners with Infrastructure Engineering and program leadership to align architecture with security boundaries, governance, SLAs, and KPIs. The role authors and approves architecture standards, design documentation, and runbooks; drives improvements to resilience and security; and mentors senior network engineers while developing long-term engineering capabilities.

Requirements

• 10+ years of enterprise network engineering experience, including architecture leadership and standards ownership in large or critical environments.
• Authoritative enterprise network design experience across Cisco, Juniper, and Arista, with deep routing, switching, and segmentation expertise.
• Mastery of ERPS/MSTP ring protocols and high-availability perimeter design, including survivability strategy for critical zones.
• Strong network automation and zero-touch configuration leadership using Python and/or Ansible, including standards definition.
• Experience with monitoring and inventory architecture using NetBox, SolarWinds, PRTG, and Syslog; hardware and firmware lifecycle; and vendor management.
• Demonstrated network architecture leadership, including standards ownership, cross-functional partnership, mentoring, and escalation leadership.
• Required certification: Cisco CCNP or Juniper JNCIS.

Nice To Haves

• CCIE or equivalent architect-level credential.
• Network automation experience or credentials in Python and/or Ansible.
• ERPS/MSTP design experience or credentials.
• ITIL 4.

Responsibilities

• Own network architecture standards and the Building Block topology framework for the physical security estate.
• Define perimeter-resilience and high-availability strategy, including ERPS/MSTP ring standards and cable-cut survivability requirements for critical zones.
• Establish network security and configuration standards and the zero-touch configuration automation strategy.
• Set monitoring, inventory, and observability standards using NetBox, SolarWinds, PRTG, and Syslog.
• Own network hardware and firmware lifecycle strategy, end-of-life evaluation, refresh planning, and vendor selection across Cisco, Juniper, and Arista.
• Serve as the final escalation point for complex network incidents and architectural decisions.
• Partner with Infrastructure Engineering and program leadership to align network architecture with shared security boundaries, governance, SLAs, and KPIs.
• Author and approve network architecture standards, design documentation, and runbooks, and drive continuous improvement of resilience and security posture.
• Mentor and develop senior network engineers, establishing best practices and long-term network engineering capability.

Benefits

• Medical insurance through UHC (PPO, HSA, and Surest options) or Kaiser HMO for California employees.
• Dental insurance through UHC Nationwide.
• Vision insurance through UHC.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health and dependent care.
• Pre-tax commuter benefit for parking and transit, where available by location.
• Continuing education and professional development through platforms such as Udemy and Coursera.
• Corporate wellness program through Goomi Group.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness Days.
• 401(k) plan.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Critical illness, critical hospital, and voluntary accident insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement, available after six months and subject to a cap.
• Paid time off, accrued and prorated, up to 120 hours annually.
• Paid holidays.
• Statutory leaves, paid time, and other ancillary benefits required under state and federal law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed