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Job Title: Principal Network Engineer
Type of Role: Direct Hire
Location: Livermore, CA
Salary Range: $168,961.00 – $222,440.00 annual
The Principal Network Engineer will design, implement, and manage complex network infrastructures. This position requires strong experience with Cisco and Palo Alto firewalls, SD-WAN using Meraki, routing and switching, load balancing (F5), and network design for multi-datacenter environments, including hybrid Azure Cloud solutions. As the Principal Network Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring the stability, security, and scalability of the network, while adhering to regulatory standards and modern best practices.
Roles and Responsibilities
Network Architecture & Design:
- Lead the design and architecture of network infrastructure for multi-datacenter and hybrid Azure Cloud environments.
- Ensure high availability, scalability, and resilience of networks across on-premise and cloud environments.
- Design and implement advanced routing and switching solutions using Cisco technologies.
Firewall & Security:
- Configure, manage, and optimize Palo Alto and Cisco firewalls to ensure comprehensive security and compliance. This includes knowledge of the following:
- IPSec VPN
- DMVPN
- Network Address Translation (NAT)
- SSL VPN
- Packet inspection/access rules
Detailed knowledge of Cisco network infrastructure
- Traditional Cisco Networking
- Catalyst/Nexus switching
- Routing (IOS/IOS-XE)
- EIGRP
- BGP
- Other routing protocol
- Firmware Management
- Develop and implement network security strategies, incorporating firewall rules, access controls, and threat detection.
- Integrate network security tools and solutions to monitor, detect, and mitigate threats across both datacenter and cloud environments.
- SD-WAN with Meraki:
- Design and manage SD-WAN solutions using Cisco Meraki, optimizing performance and security for remote and branch office connectivity.
- Ensure reliable and secure connectivity between multiple datacenters, cloud environments, and remote locations using SD-WAN technologies.
Hybrid Cloud Networking (Azure):
- Design, implement, and manage network infrastructure in Azure Cloud environments, ensuring secure and seamless integration with on-premise systems.
- Implement secure connectivity solutions between Azure, on-premise systems, and other cloud platforms.
- Utilize VPN, ExpressRoute, and other secure networking solutions to maintain high availability and security across hybrid environments.
Load Balancing & Traffic Management:
- Design, configure, and manage F5 load balancers to optimize traffic distribution, performance, and availability.
- Implement global traffic management and local load balancing solutions for highly available systems.
Disaster Recovery & Automation:
- Automate network disaster recovery processes for datacenter and cloud environments, ensuring rapid failover and business continuity.
- Implement and manage disaster recovery strategies using automation tools and industry best practices.
Network Security & Compliance:
- Oversee the implementation of robust security measures across the network, including firewalls, encryption, and access control.
- Working knowledge of Cisco specific security access – Cisco Secure ACS (TACACS/TACACS+/AAA) or similar (Cisco Identity Services Engine [ISE])
- Ensure the network infrastructure complies with industry regulations such as PCI, SOX, and GDPR.
- Stay updated on modern security frameworks and proactively implement security improvements.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting:
- Implement and manage advanced network monitoring and troubleshooting tools to ensure network health and performance. Examples of specific required technologies
- Experience with currently used Network Monitoring Technology
- SolarWinds Orion
- Network Performance Manager (NPM) – Monitoring and alerting/reporting
- Network Configuration Manager (NCM) – Configuration/change mgt.
- Network Traffic Analyzer (NTA) – Netflow/traffic flow analysis
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 2 and 3
- WireShark or other packet capture/decode solution (sniffer
- Lead root cause analysis for network performance issues and implement solutions to prevent future occurrences.
Collaboration & Leadership:
- Work closely with security, cloud, and systems teams to ensure cohesive network design and security policies.
- Provide leadership and mentorship to junior network engineers and operational teams.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in network engineering, with a focus on Cisco, Palo Alto firewalls, SD-WAN (Meraki), F5, routing, switching, and network design.
- Proven experience in highly regulated environments such as banks, financial institutions, or government sectors.
- Strong experience in Azure Cloud networking is required, including Azure VPN, ExpressRoute, and hybrid connectivity.
- Experience with AWS and GCP networking is preferred.
- Expertise in designing and managing multi-datacenter and hybrid cloud network solutions (Azure required).
- Strong experience in firewall management and network security tools such as Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, or similar technologies.
- Proficiency in routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF) and switching technologies.
- Strong experience with SD-WAN solutions using Cisco Meraki.
- Experience in load balancing solutions, particularly F5 LTM and GTM.
- Strong experience in automating network operations and disaster recovery processes.
- In-depth knowledge of network security protocols and standards, including encryption, VPNs, and access control.
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
- Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, PCNSE, F5, Meraki, Azure Networking certifications) are highly desirable.
- Hands-on experience with AWS and GCP networking.
- Experience with SDN (Software Defined Networking) and network automation tools.
- Experience in managing multi-location, enterprise-scale environments.
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies and DevOps principles for network operations.
- #FBIndeed
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