Principal Network Architect (Backbone Network) - AI Infrastructure

Hamilton Barnes; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton Barnes is seeking a Principal Network Architect to lead the design and evolution of its national and international backbone network in APAC. You will shape scalable, resilient, vendor-neutral connectivity across terrestrial fibre, subsea, optical transport and IP backbone, aligning with carriers, data centres and AI infrastructure teams.

You will mentor senior engineers, define standards, and drive technical assurance across delivery, migration and operations, while guiding complex

Qualifications

• 10+ years designing and operating large-scale backbone networks.
• Experience as Principal/Lead Architect or Distinguished Engineer.
• Background in carrier, hyperscaler, cloud, data-centre or AI infra.
• Strong architecture, assurance and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and technical direction of the national and international backbone network.
• Design and evolve terrestrial fibre, subsea, optical and IP backbone infrastructure.
• Define network standards, reference architectures and reusable design patterns.
• Ensure high levels of resilience, route diversity and SRLG protection.
• Lead technical evaluation and selection of carriers, subsea providers and network vendors.
• Develop technical requirements, RFPs and vendor evaluation criteria.
• Provide technical assurance across design, delivery, migration and operational readiness.
• Lead complex network changes, migrations and cutovers.
• Work closely with Network Engineering, Data Centre and Operations teams.
• Mentor senior engineers and contribute to long-term connectivity strategy.

Skills

Backbone networks design

Principal Architect

Carrier/Cloud/AI infra background

DWDM / OTN / coherent optics

100G / 400G / 800G

IP/MPLS & Segment Routing

EVPN & traffic engineering

SRLG & resilience

Carrier/fibre/subsea collaboration

Stakeholder management

Job description

Keen to join a company that champions growth and development?

Join a rapidly growing technology organization developing next-generation AI infrastructure and cloud platforms across APAC. The organisation focuses on building highly efficient AI Factories, combining advanced data centre technology with innovations across energy, thermal management, GPU and networking telemetry, and control to deliver high uptime, throughput, and profitability.

The company is looking for a Principal Network Architect to lead the design and evolution of its national and international backbone network. The role focuses on developing scalable, resilient, and vendor-neutral connectivity across terrestrial fiber, subsea networks, optical transport, IP backbone, and data centre interconnection, while working closely with carriers, fiber providers, subsea operators, data centres, technology vendors, and internal engineering teams.

Responsibilities:

• Own the architecture and technical direction of the national and international backbone network.
• Design and evolve terrestrial fibre, subsea, optical and IP backbone infrastructure.
• Define network standards, reference architectures and reusable design patterns.
• Ensure high levels of resilience, route diversity and SRLG protection.
• Lead technical evaluation and selection of carriers, subsea providers and network vendors.
• Develop technical requirements, RFPs and vendor evaluation criteria.
• Provide technical assurance across design, delivery, migration and operational readiness.
• Lead complex network changes, migrations and cutovers.
• Work closely with Network Engineering, Data Centre and Operations teams.
• Mentor senior engineers and contribute to long-term connectivity strategy.

Skills/Must Have:

• 10+ years' experience designing and operating large-scale backbone networks.
• Principal/Lead Architect or Distinguished Engineer-level experience.
• Background within a carrier, hyperscaler, cloud, data-centre or AI infrastructure environment.
• DWDM / OTN / coherent optics
• 100G / 400G / 800G
• IP/MPLS & Segment Routing
• EVPN & traffic engineering
• SRLG and network resilience
• Experience working with carriers, fibre providers, subsea operators and major network vendors.
• Strong architecture, technical assurance and stakeholder management skills.
• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications