Enterprise Core Network Architect

VDart Software Services Pvt. Ltd.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

An international technology services company is seeking a Network Architect in Abu Dhabi. The ideal candidate will develop enterprise network architecture strategies and lead technology transitions. With 12 to 18 years of experience in network engineering, expertise in SD-WAN, and strong communication skills, the role requires hands-on knowledge of security and automation frameworks.

Qualifications

• 12 to 18 years of experience in enterprise network architecture and engineering.
• Strong expertise in routing and switching technologies (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, VXLAN, EVPN).
• Proven experience with SDN / SD-WAN architectures (Cisco SD-WAN, VMware VeloCloud, Aruba, etc.).
• In-depth understanding of data center networking (Cisco ACI, Nexus, Arista, etc.) and campus LAN architectures.
• Hands-on knowledge of network security and segmentation - firewalls, NAC, IPS / IDS, and VPN technologies.
• Familiarity with cloud networking (Azure, AWS, GCP) and hybrid connectivity models.
• Expertise in network automation and orchestration frameworks.
• Strong understanding of network observability, telemetry, and performance analytics tools.
• Excellent communication skills - able to translate complex technical concepts into business language.

Responsibilities

• Develop the enterprise network architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Design core, distribution, and access layer architectures.
• Define standards and patterns for LAN / WAN, SD-WAN, MPLS.
• Lead the transition to software-defined networking (SDN).
• Partner with security teams to integrate network monitoring and threat detection.

Job description

Network Architect - Abu Dhabi, UAE

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

• Develop the enterprise network architecture strategy and roadmap, aligned with business and digital transformation goals.
• Design core, distribution, and access layer architectures for high availability, performance, and scalability.
• Define standards and patterns for LAN / WAN, SD-WAN, MPLS, routing, switching, and network segmentation.
• Architect data center and campus networks, integrating with hybrid-cloud and edge environments.
• Ensure redundant, resilient, and disaster-ready network designs across global regions.

Technology Leadership

• Lead the transition to software-defined networking (SDN) and intent-based networking solutions.
• Define and implement Zero Trust network architecture (ZTNA) principles and micro-segmentation strategies.
• Drive network automation and orchestration initiatives using tools like Ansible, Terraform, or Cisco DNA Center.
• Evaluate emerging technologies (SASE, 5G edge, NaaS) and guide adoption where business value exists.
• Collaborate with cloud and security architects to ensure seamless hybrid and multi-cloud connectivity.

Operations & Governance

• Establish network design standards, governance frameworks, and operational playbooks.
• Partner with security teams to integrate network monitoring, identity-aware access, and threat detection.
• Lead capacity planning, performance tuning, and lifecycle management of the enterprise network.
• Manage relationships with major network vendors (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, etc.) and service providers.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to network engineering and operations teams.

Required Skills & Experience

• 12 18 years of experience in enterprise network architecture and engineering.
• Strong expertise in routing and switching technologies (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, VXLAN, EVPN).
• Proven experience with SDN / SD-WAN architectures (Cisco SD-WAN, VMware VeloCloud, Aruba, etc.).
• In-depth understanding of data center networking (Cisco ACI, Nexus, Arista, etc.) and campus LAN architectures.
• Hands‑on knowledge of network security and segmentation - firewalls, NAC, IPS / IDS, and VPN technologies.
• Familiarity with cloud networking (Azure, AWS, GCP) and hybrid connectivity models.
• Expertise in network automation and orchestration frameworks.
• Strong understanding of network observability, telemetry, and performance analytics tools.
• Excellent communication skills - able to translate complex technical concepts into business language.

Preferred / Nice to Have

• CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent expert‑level certification.
• TOGAF or other enterprise architecture frameworks experience.
• Knowledge of SASE, NaaS, and Edge computing architectures.
• Exposure to AI‑driven network operations (AIOps) and predictive analytics.
• Experience leading large network transformation or consolidation programs in global enterprises.