Principal Network Architect - Wireless
About the position The Principal Network Architect serves as the top-level technical authority in network architecture, responsible for setting the vision and strategy for global network infrastructure. This role provides deep technical leadership, defines enterprise-wide standards, and integrates new technologies into the environment. The Principal Network Architect ensures architectural integrity, operational excellence, and alignment between business strategy and network design. Responsibilities • Serve as the strategic leader for global network architecture, driving the vision for secure, scalable, and high-performing infrastructure across all regions. • Design and solve complex technology and infrastructure challenges with broad enterprise impact. • Architect global, scalable, and resilient network solutions that support mission-critical systems. • Integrating on-premise, cloud, and edge network solutions to enable global business operations and innovation. • Integrate cybersecurity, application, and infrastructure requirements into holistic network designs. • Lead cross-functional technical governance to ensure alignment between network, security, and application architecture. • Define and champion enterprise-wide standards for Cisco, Checkpoint, Palo Alto, F5, HP/Aruba, and cloud networking platforms. • Oversee the technical roadmap for data center modernization, SD-WAN expansion, and secure remote access initiatives. • Assess and integrate emerging technologies to future-proof network capabilities. • Analyzing future business needs and emerging technology trends to inform long-term network strategy. • Publish high-level documentation and oversee operational readiness of new solutions. • Drive innovation and advocate for technology investments aligned with strategic objectives. • Serve as the primary technical liaison to executive leadership, vendors, and global stakeholders. • Act as final escalation for complex network design decisions and risk assessments. • Represent the networking function to senior leadership, global partners, and strategic vendors. • Participate in on-call rotation and global incident escalations to ensure 24x7 uptime coverage. Requirements • 15+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, including 8+ years of progressive responsibility in network architecture and enterprise solution design. • Professional Industry Certifications in the area of Network infrastructure, such as CCNP, CCIE • Expert-level design and strategy across Cisco enterprise gear (Catalyst, Nexus, DNA Center) and multi-region routing infrastructure • Global network design and cross-regional architecture for large-scale enterprises • Global segmentation and Zero Trust Architecture with deep knowledge of Checkpoint and Palo Alto policy design • Multi-cloud networking strategies and integrations (Azure, AWS, GCP) • Architect-level expertise in F5 application services (LTM, GTM, ASM) and HA configurations • Leadership in global SD-WAN and edge security architecture using HP/Aruba, Palo Alto Prisma, and similar platforms • Network infrastructure strategy and lifecycle planning • Vendor and platform evaluation (hardware/software lifecycle, RFPs, PoCs) • Hybrid cloud interconnect planning, cloud-native network design (Azure, AWS, GCP) • Enterprise DNS/DHCP/IPAM strategy and scalability • Enterprise standards development and architectural governance • High-level network modeling, capacity forecasting, and risk assessment • Governance and architecture oversight for large-scale deployments, mergers, and international compliance • Strong grasp of infrastructure-as-code and automation frameworks to support agile deployment practices • Cross-domain integrations (network + security + application + DevOps) • Bachelor’s degree in information systems, Engineering, Computer Science or a related field of study. Related experience may be considered in lieu of required formal education Nice-to-haves • Industry Certifications in Networking, Cyber, wireless, telecom, or other infrastructure areas Benefits • For information on Sysco’s Benefits, please visit