Infra Network Architect

Cognizant; Springfield (IL); Remote; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays plus PTO

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking an experienced Infra Network Architect to lead design, deployment, and optimization of large-scale enterprise WAN and security solutions. You will drive Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) implementations and secure remote access across global environments.

The role requires 10+ years in enterprise networking, CCNP Enterprise, and strong routing, security, and SASE skills. This is a remote USA position with competitive salary and Cognizant's incentive program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of experience in enterprise network design, implementation, and architecture.
• Deep expertise in WAN architecture and design.
• 10+ years hands-on Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) experience with vManage, vSmart, vBond, and vEdge.
• Strong experience with Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE/SASE.
• CCNP Enterprise certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, architecture, and deployment of enterprise WAN solutions.
• Architect and implement Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) solutions using vManage/vSmart/vBond/vEdge.
• Design and deploy Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE/SASE for secure remote access and cloud security.
• Develop HLDs/LLDs, implementation plans, and change management docs.
• Provide advanced routing and switching expertise (BGP, OSPF, route-maps, ACLs, traffic engineering).
• Ensure adherence to network security standards, VPN/IPsec/QoS.
• Lead network lifecycle management: upgrades, remediation, standardization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Manage telecom providers and vendors, SLA management, renewals.

Skills

WAN architecture

BGP

OSPF

Route-maps

ACLs

Traffic engineering

VPN technologies

IPsec

QoS

Network security architecture

SASE

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)

vManage

vSmart

vBond

vEdge

Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE/SASE

Job description

Job Title: Job Title: Infra Network Architect

Job Location: Remote, USA.

**** Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future****

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Infrastructure Network Architect to lead the design, implementation, and optimization of large-scale enterprise WAN and network security solutions. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela), Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE, enterprise routing technologies, and network security architectures. This individual will play a critical role in driving network transformation initiatives, ensuring operational excellence, and supporting business growth across global environments.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $90,000 to $112,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

In this role, you will

1. Lead the design, architecture, and deployment of enterprise WAN solutions , including circuit migrations, network modernization initiatives, Cisco SD-WAN implementations, and secure connectivity solutions across geographically distributed environments.

2. Architect and implement Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) solutions , leveraging vManage, vSmart, vBond, and vEdge components to improve network performance, resiliency, scalability, and operational efficiency.

3. Design and deploy Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE/SASE solutions to deliver secure remote access, cloud security, zero-trust connectivity, and enhanced user experience across global networks.

4. Develop High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), implementation plans, and change management documentation , while coordinating deployment activities with internal teams and external stakeholders.

5. Provide advanced routing and switching expertise , including configuration, optimization, and troubleshooting of BGP, OSPF, route-maps, ACLs, redistribution policies, and traffic engineering strategies.

6. Ensure adherence to network security standards and best practices , including VPN technologies, IPsec tunnels, Quality of Service (QoS), segmentation, access controls, and secure connectivity frameworks.

7. Lead network lifecycle management activities , including hardware and software upgrades, firmware maintenance, vulnerability remediation, configuration standardization, and technology refresh initiatives.

8. Collaborate with cross-functional teams , business stakeholders, security teams, infrastructure teams, and project managers to ensure network standards are maintained and business operations remain uninterrupted.

9. Manage telecommunications service providers and vendors , including circuit procurement, renewals, upgrades, SLA management, escalation handling, delivery coordination, and issue resolution throughout the circuit lifecycle.

10. Provide technical leadership and mentorship , guiding engineering teams through design reviews, troubleshooting efforts, best practice adoption, operational governance, and continuous service improvement initiatives.

What you’ll need to succeed (required skills)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.

• 10+ years of experience in enterprise network design, implementation, and architecture.

• Deep expertise in WAN architecture and design .

• 10+ years of hands-on experience with Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) technologies including:

• vManage

• vSmart

• vBond

• vEdge

• Strong experience with Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE/SASE solutions.

• Advanced knowledge of:

• BGP

• OSPF

• Route-maps

• ACLs

• Traffic engineering

• Strong understanding of:

• VPN technologies

• IPsec

• QoS

• Network security architecture

• Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

• Proven experience designing, deploying, and supporting large-scale global WAN environments.

• Experience coordinating with telecommunications providers and managing carrier services.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing projects, initiatives, or technical teams.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

Required Certification

• Valid Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise) certification.

Preferred Skills

• SASE or SSE-related certifications.

• Palo Alto Networks certifications.

• Experience supporting global enterprise network environments across multiple regions.

• Exposure to cloud networking and security platforms.

• Experience leading network transformation and modernization programs.

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

• 401(k) plan and contributions

• Long-term/Short-term Disability

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Work model:

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a Remote role in USA.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Disclaimer:

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.