Lead Associate Principal, Network Engineering

Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: $120,000.00 USD Annually - $160,000.00 USD Annually
Description:
Lead Associate Principal, Network Engineering

Are you a highly experienced Network Engineering leader with a passion for designing and deploying cutting-edge, secure network architectures across both on-premise and cloud environments? We're looking for a visionary technologist to drive the future of our network infrastructure, leveraging automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to ensure peak performance, reliability, and security.

What You'll Do

As a Lead Associate Principal, you'll operate at the highest technical level, providing both strategic direction and hands-on expertise for our entire network lifecycle. Your key focus will be:

• Architectural Leadership: Oversee the design, analysis, and implementation of sophisticated new and existing network architectures, including routing, switching, firewalls, and public cloud solutions (AWS focus).
• Automation & IaC: Direct the use of modern tools like Ansible, Terraform, and Python to deliver Infrastructure as Code, streamlining configuration management and deployment processes.
• Operational Excellence: Lead and coordinate complex network changes, guaranteeing security, performance, and compliance with governance frameworks (e.g., NIST-CSF, COBIT).
• Complex Problem Resolution: Collaborate with vendors, carriers, and internal engineering teams to resolve escalated, complex issues and drive large-scale network projects to successful completion.
• Strategic Planning & Documentation: Provide strategic direction for long-term network planning, maintain comprehensive, up-to-date documentation, and contribute to network-related business continuity and disaster recovery approaches.
• Support: Serve as a subject matter expert, offering mentorship and participating in the on-call rotation to ensure exceptional reliability.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle management (design, deployment, support, and documentation) of routing, switching, security, and cloud-based network solutions.
• Ensure all network changes adhere to the highest standards of security, performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Define and champion the standards for Infrastructure as Code and network automation across the organization.
• Act as a technical project lead, coordinating installations and complex solution delivery with clients and external vendors.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge in Layer 3 routing protocols (EIGRP, BGP4, OSPF) and platforms (IOS, NX-OS, XR).
• Architect and operate advanced network services including DNS/IPAM, NAC, load balancing, and DDoS mitigation.
• Utilize packet capture and analysis and physical communication troubleshooting skills to diagnose difficult network issues.

Key Technical Qualifications

• Experience: 5 years of hands-on experience in IT systems installation, operations, administration, and maintenance of cloud systems.
• Cloud Networking: Extensive experience building and securing cloud infrastructure, with AWS strongly preferred (or Azure/Google Cloud Platform).
• Network Automation: Expert-level experience directing and using tools like Ansible, Terraform, Jenkins, Python, and GitHub (or equivalents) to deliver Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Core Networking: Advanced knowledge of Layer 3 routing and switching, including extensive experience with IOS, NX-OS, and XR platforms.
• Advanced Services: Proven expertise architecting, designing, deploying, and operating critical network elements (Firewalls, Load Balancers, DNS/IPAM, NAC, DDoS mitigation).
• Protocols: Extensive knowledge of EIGRP, BGP4, RIP, and OSPF routing protocols, along with advanced WAN, LAN, TCP/IP, and VPN skills.

Education & Certifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Computer Science, etc.) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required Certifications: AWS certifications such as DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect, Advanced Networking, or Security (or equivalent field experience).
• Preferred Certifications: CCNP/CCDP equivalent, relevant cloud certifications (Azure/Google Cloud Platform), or CCIE.

Non-Technical Requirements

• Communication: Clear, concise, and precise verbal and written communication skills with a proven capability to tailor communications to both technical and non-technical audiences. Excellent presentation skills are a must.
• Leadership: Strong interpersonal, project management, and mentoring skills.
• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated solution-oriented approach toward complex problem resolution and the ability to work effectively both independently and as a team player.

By providing your phone number, you consent to: (1) receive automated text messages and calls from the Judge Group, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively "Judge") to such phone number regarding job opportunities, your job application, and for other related purposes. Message & data rates apply and message frequency may vary. Consistent with Judge's Privacy Policy, information obtained from your consent will not be shared with third parties for marketing/promotional purposes. Reply STOP to opt out of receiving telephone calls and text messages from Judge and HELP for help.

Contact:

This job and many more are available through The Judge Group. Please apply with us today!

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.