Distinguished Engineer, Networking

Equinix, Inc.; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 224,000 - 336,000; Full time

Job summary

Equinix, Inc. is seeking a Distinguished Engineer to define the long-term network architecture for Network Edge and to guide engineering directions for VNF platforms.

You will lead cross‑functional collaboration with Product, Strategy, and Operations, and you will be the primary technical liaison for strategic customers. The role emphasizes deep expertise in large-scale networks, cloud-native environments, and open standards, with a focus on scalable, resilient designs and high-performance

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in network engineering and high-performance architecture for commercial products.
• Strong ability to influence technical direction across engineering, product, and operations.
• Experience engaging with enterprise or carrier-grade customers as a technical advisor.

Responsibilities

• Define and own multi-year network architecture vision for Network Edge.
• Lead architecture for high-throughput VNF enablement and dual-Data Center connectivity.
• Establish design patterns and standards for VNFs, overlay networking, and performance tuning.
• Identify and resolve architectural gaps across the Network Edge platform.
• Drive performance engineering for VNFs (DPDK, SR-IOV, CPU pinning).
• Engage with product, engineering and strategy to define roadmaps and feasibility.

Skills

Network architecture

SDN/NFV

VNF performance tuning

Routing protocols (BGP/OSPF/IS-IS)

Cloud and multi-site networking

Cross-functional leadership

Education

CCIE certification

Tools

Kubernetes networking

Virtualization platforms

Job description

Who are we?

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet.

A place where tech thinkers and future builders turn bold ideas into breakthrough experiences, we welcome your unique perspective.Help us challenge assumptions, uncover bias, and remove barriers—because progress starts with fresh ideas. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

Job Summary

As a Distinguished Engineer within the Infrastructure Engineering organization, you will serve as the definitive technical authority for network architecture across the Network Edge product line. This is a company-wide leadership role that sets the long-term network architectural vision and translates it into concrete engineering direction for product teams.

You will own the network designs underpinning Equinix's Virtual Network Function (VNF) platform, drive high-impact initiatives such as the high-throughput VNF effort and dual-Data Center connectivity, and serve as the primary technical bridge between product engineering and Equinix's Network Architecture and Operations organizations. This role also carries direct customer-facing responsibility—providing expert-level guidance and troubleshooting for Equinix's most strategic customers.

Distinguished Engineers at Equinix operate at an industry level. You will be recognized as an expert inside and outside the company, influencing product roadmaps multiple years out and elevating the engineering community through mentorship and thought leadership.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Define and own the multi-year network architecture vision for Network Edge, ensuring designs are scalable, resilient, and aligned with Equinix's global infrastructure strategy
• Lead network architecture and design for critical platform initiatives, including high-throughput VNF enablement and dual-Data Center connectivity
• Establish authoritative design patterns, reference architectures, and standards for virtual network functions, overlay networking, and carrier-grade performance tuning across on-prem and cloud environments
• Identify and resolve systemic architectural gaps across the Network Edge platform, providing clear technical recommendations that unblock engineering teams
• Drive performance engineering for VNFs, including profiling, tuning, and qualification of throughput-sensitive network workloads (DPDK, SR-IOV, CPU pinning, and related techniques)

Cross-Organizational Influence

• Serve as the primary technical liaison between product engineering and Equinix Network Architecture, Network Operations, and external network vendors
• Influence Equinix's broader network and infrastructure strategy by contributing architectural guidance that spans product, platform, and operations boundaries
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Strategy leadership to define the 2027+ product roadmap and ensure technical feasibility of new features and services
• Represent Equinix Network Edge capabilities to strategic customers, partners, and industry forums, providing expert-level consultation and thought leadership
• Set and model a high bar for technical excellence, fostering a culture of quality, innovation, transparency, and continuous improvement

Engineering Community & Mentorship

• Mentor and develop Senior Principal and Principal Engineers, accelerating their technical growth and organizational impact
• Publish internal design documents, architectural decision records, and best-practice guides that elevate the craft of network engineering across Equinix
• Champion rigorous problem-solving, transparency, and continuous learning within the engineering organization

Customer & Field Engagement

• Engage directly with strategic customers to diagnose complex network issues, validate architectural approaches, and build confidence in the Network Edge platform
• Translate field observations and customer feedback into actionable architectural improvements and product requirements

Qualifications

Leadership & Experience

• 15+ years of experience in network engineering, with deep expertise in large-scale, high-performance network architecture and operations
• Demonstrated track record of defining and delivering network architectures for commercial-grade telecommunications, cloud, or digital infrastructure products
• Proven ability to influence technical direction at the company level, across engineering, product, and operations organizations
• Experience engaging directly with enterprise or carrier-grade customers in a technical advisory or escalation capacity
• Inclusive leadership approach with strong collaboration and communication skills; ability to translate complex network concepts for technical and non-technical audiences alike

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in network architecture for virtualized and cloud-native environments, including SDN/NFV, overlay networking (VXLAN, MPLS, Segment Routing), and virtual routing/switching
• Expert-level knowledge of Virtual Network Function (VNF) architecture, performance tuning, and qualification—including DPDK, SR-IOV, CPU pinning, and high-throughput packet processing techniques
• Strong command of BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, and other routing protocols as applied in large-scale multi-tenant or carrier environments
• Experience designing and operating interconnected multi-site (multi-Data Center) or multi-region network topologies with stringent availability and latency requirements
• Familiarity with Kubernetes networking, cloud-native CNI plugins, and service mesh concepts as they apply to infrastructure products
• Ability to engage deeply with both software engineering and network operations teams, bridging low-level protocol knowledge with product and platform requirements
• Experience applying AI/ML tools or automated analysis to network observability, fault detection, or capacity planning is a plus

Education & Professional Background

• Strong foundation in networking, computer science, or electrical engineering demonstrated through professional experience, education, industry certifications (e.g., CCIE, JNCIE), or equivalent practical expertise

The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

United States - Redwood City Office GHQ : 269,000 - 403,000 USD / Annual

United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 224,000 - 336,000 USD / Annual

United States - Tampa Office TAO : 224,000 - 336,000 USD / Annual

United States - New York City Office NYO1 : 246,000 - 370,000 USD / Annual

Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 202,000 - 302,000 CAD / Annual

Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location.

The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.

The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.

Equinix Benefits

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.

Employee Assistance Program

An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.

US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms.Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We use artificial intelligence in our hiring process. Learn more here.

This posting is for a backfill position, meaning it is to fill an existing vacancy within our organization.