Principal Network Engineer

Principal Network Engineer operating at L3/L4 level to provide end-to-end technical ownership for complex enterprise network, network-security and communications environments. The role is responsible for architecture, engineering, implementation, advanced troubleshooting, modernization, automation and operational excellence across LAN, WAN, data center, SD-WAN, Internet edge, SASE/Zero Trust, cloud connectivity, firewalls and enterprise telephony.

This is a senior technical engineering role, not a people-management-only position. The successful candidate must be comfortable troubleshooting at protocol, packet, platform and policy level, leading major incidents, reviewing architecture and engineering work, and personally executing complex changes. The candidate must also have previously led a team of network/technology engineers as a Technical Lead, Lead Network Engineer, Principal Engineer or equivalent.

The role requires deep expertise in Cisco enterprise networking and Palo Alto Networks security platforms, with strong hands-on Zscaler/SASE experience and practical automation using Python, Ansible, and APIs.

Principal-Level Success Measures

• Consistent technical ownership and resolution of complex P1/P2 incidents with strong RCA and measurable recurrence reduction.
• Safe delivery of network, firewall, SASE, SD-WAN, cloud and telephony migrations with documented rollback and minimal customer impact.
• Measurable reduction in repetitive manual operations through governed automation and API-driven workflows.
• Improved network resilience, security posture, observability and operational consistency.
• Improved L2/L3 engineering capability through technical leadership, reviews, mentoring and knowledge transfer.
• High-quality architecture, documentation, standards and runbooks suitable for a managed-services enterprise environment.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 16+ years of progressive enterprise networking experience with significant L4 responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience as Principal Network Engineer, L4 Engineer, Network Architect, Network Solution Engineer or equivalent.
• CCNP Enterprise / CCNP Security or equivalent advanced Cisco expertise required; CCIE strongly preferred.
• Proven technical-team leadership experience.
• Excellent customer-facing communication, documentation and incident-management capability.