IT Network Principal

Apex Systems; Oklahoma City (OK); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k)

ESPP

HSA

Job summary

Everforth Apex in Oklahoma City seeks an IT Network Principal to lead design and operations for large-scale data center networks. The role focuses on Cisco ACI fabrics, data center spine/leaf, and advanced firewall configurations, with collaboration across Security, Server, Cloud and OT teams.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of enterprise networking and strong architecture vision, ready to mentor staff and drive long-term network strategy.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive network engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VRFs, VLANs and HA.
• Extensive data center networking experience with Cisco Nexus and ACI Fabric.
• Experience designing and supporting modern data center network infrastructures.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and support enterprise and data center network infrastructure.
• Lead network architecture, engineering and modernization efforts.
• Support large-scale routing, switching, security, and optimization initiatives.
• Design and maintain Cisco ACI fabrics and related technologies.
• Configure, support, and troubleshoot complex firewall environments.
• Develop and implement network security policies and standards.
• Coordinate with server, cloud, security and OT teams.
• Mentor engineers and act as technical escalation lead.

Skills

BGP

OSPF

EIGRP

VRFs

VLANs

High Availability

Cisco ACI Fabric

Cisco Nexus

CCNP level routing & switching

Palo Alto Firewalls

Tools

Cisco Nexus Platforms

Cisco ACI Fabric

Spine/Leaf Architecture

Palo Alto Firewall management

F5 BIG-IP or Citrix ADC

AWS Networking

Job description

# IT Network PrincipalApply**Job#: 3055139****Job Description:**IT Network Principal**Location:** Onsite in Oklahoma City (Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM)**Type:** 6 Month Contract (Strong possibility of conversion)**Target Start:** Mid-November**Compensation**: 85+/hr. (W2) Flexible depending on experience.\\*If interested and qualified, please reach out to the Professional Recruiter, Nicole, at [e-mail] with a copy of your resume.Position SummaryWe are seeking an experienced IT Network Principal to join a growing enterprise infrastructure team supporting large-scale data center operations, modernization initiatives, and strategic network architecture projects. This individual will serve as a senior technical leader responsible for the design, implementation, support, and optimization of the organization's network infrastructure.The team is currently supporting multiple major initiatives, including the buildout of two new data centers and several infrastructure migration efforts. The ideal candidate will bring deep enterprise networking expertise, strong architectural vision, and the ability to partner with stakeholders across Infrastructure, Security, Server, Cloud, and Operational Technology teams.This role offers a unique opportunity to work alongside existing senior technical leadership and become a key contributor to long-term network strategy and succession planning efforts.Key Responsibilities* Design, build, and support enterprise and data center network infrastructure.* Serve as a technical leader for network architecture, engineering, and modernization efforts.* Support large-scale routing, switching, security, and network optimization initiatives.* Design and maintain Cisco ACI data center fabrics and associated technologies.* Configure, support, and troubleshoot complex firewall environments.* Develop and implement network security policies and standards.* Support integration between network, server, security, cloud, and OT/SCADA teams.* Evaluate emerging technologies and provide architectural recommendations.* Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex network and infrastructure issues.* Mentor junior and mid-level engineers while serving as a technical escalation point for the team.Required QualificationsEnterprise Networking* 10+ years of progressive network engineering experience.* CCNP-level routing and switching expertise (certification not required).* Strong understanding of: + BGP + OSPF + EIGRP + VRFs + VLANs + High Availability technologies* Experience supporting large enterprise network environments.Data Center Networking* Extensive data center networking experience.* Hands-on experience with: + Cisco Nexus Platforms + Cisco ACI Fabric (**Required**) + Spine/Leaf Architectures* Experience designing and supporting modern data center network infrastructures.* VXLAN experience preferred but not required if candidate possesses strong ACI expertise.Network Security* Advanced firewall administration experience.* Strong preference for Palo Alto Networks firewalls.* Experience: + Writing and managing firewall policies + Firewall-based routing + Security segmentation + Access control architecture + Security rule optimization* Ability to operate at a Principal-level within network security environments.Infrastructure & Architecture* Experience leading network design and architecture initiatives.* Ability to balance hands-on engineering work with strategic planning responsibilities.* Strong understanding of enterprise infrastructure dependencies across security, server, storage, and cloud platforms.Preferred Qualifications* F5 BIG-IP or Citrix ADC (NetScaler) load balancing experience.* AWS networking and cloud connectivity experience.* Experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, energy, utility, or operational technology environments.* SCADA networking experience or exposure.* Experience supporting data center migrations and infrastructure transformation projects.* Prior experience serving as a Lead, Principal, or Architect-level network engineer.Soft Skills & Team FitThe hiring manager emphasized that success in this role requires more than technical expertise.Candidates should be able to:* Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.* Partner closely with Security, Infrastructure, Server, and Cloud teams.* Influence decisions through strong business and technical acumen.* Interact comfortably with audiences ranging from IT Directors and executive leadership to SCADA field technicians.* Operate as a trusted advisor and technical leader within the organization.What Success Looks Like* Quickly becoming a key contributor to ongoing data center expansion projects.* Providing architectural guidance across enterprise networking initiatives.* Supporting the team's transition from primarily operational network engineering toward a more strategic architecture-focused model.* Building strong partnerships across Infrastructure, Security, and Operational Technology teams.* Bringing Principal-level technical expertise while helping drive long-term network strategy. *Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.**Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at https://www.apexsystems.com/privacy-policy**Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.**Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.**If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [e-mail] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.**UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.***Employee Type:** Contract**Location:** Oklahoma City, OK, US**Job Type:****Date Posted:** October 13, 2026**Pay Range:** $80 - $115 per hour