What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Network Engineer position at TriCom Technical Services?
Principal Network Engineer
Quick Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Network Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and modernization of a global enterprise network infrastructure. This is a senior, hands-on engineering role responsible for driving large-scale network transformation initiatives centered around Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), SD-WAN, Cisco networking, and hybrid/multi-cloud connectivity across Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform). The ideal candidate is a technically strong infrastructure leader who thrives in complex enterprise environments, has successfully executed large-scale network migrations, and is passionate about building secure, highly available, and scalable network solutions while partnering across infrastructure, cloud, and security teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, planning, execution, and support of large-scale enterprise network modernization initiatives across data center, campus, cloud, and edge environments.
- Architect, deploy, and support Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions to improve enterprise security and user access.
- Design and maintain enterprise SD-WAN environments to provide resilient, application-aware connectivity across distributed locations.
- Engineer and support Cisco enterprise networking infrastructure, including Nexus, ACI, Catalyst, routing, switching, and data center networking.
- Design and troubleshoot hybrid and multi-cloud connectivity across Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform, including ExpressRoute, Direct Connect, Cloud Interconnect, VPNs, network peering, and hub-and-spoke architectures.
- Manage core network services including DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management (IPAM) to ensure reliable enterprise connectivity.
- Lead complex infrastructure migrations, including planning, validation, rollback strategies, production cutovers, and post-implementation stabilization.
- Maintain highly available production environments through proactive monitoring, incident response, root cause analysis, and continuous operational improvements.
- Participate in change management activities while ensuring minimal disruption to business-critical systems.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, network diagrams, runbooks, architecture standards, and operational procedures.
- Drive network automation and standardization initiatives using Infrastructure-as-Code and automation technologies where appropriate.
- Collaborate closely with cloud, infrastructure, security, and application teams to support enterprise modernization initiatives and Zero Trust adoption.
Requirements
- 10 years of progressive, hands-on enterprise network engineering experience supporting large, mission-critical environments.
- Demonstrated success leading complex network migration projects from planning and architecture through implementation, stabilization, and operational support.
- Deep expertise with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platforms such as Zscaler, Prisma Access, Netskope, Cato, or similar technologies.
- Extensive experience designing, deploying, and supporting enterprise SD-WAN solutions.
- Expert-level Cisco networking experience including Nexus, ACI, Catalyst, enterprise routing, switching, and data center networking.
- Strong experience with hybrid and multi-cloud networking across Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform, including:
- ExpressRoute, AWS Direct Connect, Cloud Interconnect, VPN technologies, Network peering, Hub-and-spoke and transit architectures
- Advanced knowledge of enterprise networking protocols including:
- BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VXLAN, MPLS, QoS, Layer 2–Layer 4 troubleshooting
- Experience managing enterprise network services including DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management (IPAM).
- Strong operational mindset with experience supporting 24x7 production environments, including:
- Change management, Incident response, Root cause analysis, Production support, Performance optimization
- Experience creating technical documentation, network standards, runbooks, and architecture diagrams.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work independently and effectively communicate with technical teams, leadership, and business stakeholders.
- Proven ability to lead through complex infrastructure transformations while maintaining a high level of accountability and ownership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience administering Infoblox for DNS, DHCP, and IPAM.
- Experience with network automation and Infrastructure-as-Code using tools such as Python, Ansible, and Terraform.
- Industry certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or cloud networking and SASE certifications.
- Experience supporting high-volume e-commerce, SaaS, or other customer-facing production environments.
- Experience driving enterprise network automation, operational standardization, and Zero Trust transformation initiatives.
- Familiarity with NetFlow, virtual networking, and enterprise-scale cloud networking best practices.