Network Architect

Cognizant; Montpelier (VT); Remote; USD 119,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Network Architect to design and optimize secure, scalable network architectures using Palo Alto firewall and Juniper switching, routing, wireless, and security technologies. The Architect will drive hybrid work model solutions for hi-tech clients, ensuring connectivity, security, and operational efficiency across complex environments while mentoring teams.

This is a remote role for applicants located in the US and authorized to work without sponsorship.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on Juniper switching routing and SD-WAN experience.
• Strong Palo Alto firewall policy design and threat prevention expertise.
• Wireless design experience with Juniper Mist.
• Design scalable enterprise networks with high availability.
• Translate requirements into architecture documents and diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Design enterprise network architectures integrating Palo Alto and Juniper platforms for secure connectivity.
• Develop scalable security designs with segmentation strategies and policy enforcement.
• Create detailed design documentation for wired and wireless infrastructures.
• Optimize routing/switching across Juniper devices for low latency and reliability.
• Configure Juniper Mist wireless solutions for stable user experiences across locations.
• Review firewall rules and security policies to reduce risk and standardize configurations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align designs with business goals.
• Mentor peers and junior architects on firewall design and routing strategies.
• Lead monitoring and observability practices across Palo Alto and Juniper frameworks.
• Evaluate emerging Palo Alto/Juniper technologies to improve automation and resilience.
• Ensure designs meet regulatory and corporate compliance requirements.
• Coordinate change planning and cutovers in a hybrid work model.

Skills

Juniper switching

Palo Alto firewall

SD-WAN

Wireless networking

Network architecture

Policy design

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Palo Alto CNSE

JNCIP Security

Tools

Juniper Mist

Palo Alto Firewall platform

VPN services

Job description

Cognizant is seeking a Network Architect responsible for designing and optimizing secure and scalable network architectures using Palo Alto firewall and Juniper switching routing wireless and security technologies. The Architect will drive hybrid work model solutions for hi tech clients ensuring robust connectivity strong security posture and operational efficiency across complex enterprise environments while mentoring teams and aligning designs with business outcomes. This is a remote role. Applicants must be located in the US and authorized to work in the US without any sponsorship. Cognizant will not offer visa sponsorship now or anytime in the future,

Responsibilities

• Design comprehensive enterprise network architectures that integrate Palo Alto firewall platforms with Juniper switching routing and wireless solutions to provide secure reliable connectivity for complex hybrid environments.
• Develop scalable network security designs that apply Palo Alto policies next generation capabilities and segmentation strategies to protect business critical applications and data while supporting evolving hi-tech use cases.
• Create detailed low level and high-level design documentation for wired and wireless infrastructures built on Juniper hardware and Juniper Mist platforms ensuring clarity for implementation and long-term maintenance.
• Optimize routing and switching configurations across Juniper devices to achieve high-performance low latency and resilient connectivity for day shift operations with zero tolerance for critical downtime.
• Configure and refine wireless networking solutions using Juniper Mist wired and wireless technologies to deliver stable secure and high-quality user experiences across offices labs and hybrid work locations.
• Conduct in depth reviews of firewall rules security policies and network access controls across Palo Alto and Juniper firewall environments to identify risks improve posture and enforce standardized configurations.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams in hi tech domains to translate business requirements into network and security designs that directly support product development cloud adoption and digital transformation objectives.
• Guide operational teams through complex problem analysis and troubleshooting for firewall switching routing and wireless incidents ensuring swift resolution and clear knowledge transfer for future prevention.
• Implement best practice monitoring logging and observability across Palo Alto and Juniper infrastructures so that performance issues security events and capacity trends are proactively detected and addressed.
• Evaluate emerging network and security technologies within the Palo Alto and Juniper ecosystems and recommend improvements that enhance automation resilience and sustainability of the overall architecture.
• Align network design standards and security controls with corporate compliance policies and industry regulations ensuring that architectures contribute positively to organizational trust and societal data protection expectations.
• Coordinate change planning testing and cutover activities for major network and security deployments in a hybrid work model while minimizing service disruption and ensuring transparent communication to stakeholders.
• Provide structured mentoring and technical guidance to peers and junior architects on firewall design advanced routing strategies and wireless optimization so that architectural knowledge spreads effectively across the organization.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on expertise with Juniper platforms, including Mist, wireless, routing, switching, and SD-WAN.
• Possess extensive hands-on experience with Palo Alto firewall platforms including policy design threat prevention features and integration with security operations tools in large enterprise environments.
• Demonstrate strong expertise in Juniper switching and routing technologies with proven ability to design implement and maintain core and distribution layers that support high availability and scalable growth.
• Show advanced capability in designing and operating wireless networking solutions using Juniper Mist wired and wireless platforms with focus on user density performance and seamless roaming.
• Apply solid knowledge of Juniper firewall solutions including configuration of security zones policies and vpn services to deliver consistent perimeter and internal protection.
• Bring practical exposure to hi tech industry environments where complex products rapid innovation cycles and strict reliability expectations drive architectural decisions and design trade-offs.
• Exhibit proficiency in hybrid work model network considerations including secure remote access segmentation of user groups and performance tuning for collaboration and engineering workloads.
• Display strong analytical communication and documentation skills that enable clear articulation of architectural decisions support for day shift operations and effective engagement with global teams.

Certifications Required

Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer and Juniper Networks JNCIP Security or equivalent vendor certifications relevant to firewall and routing technologies.

The salary range for this role is between $119,000 and $139,000 depending on skills and qualifications of the candidate. Applications will be accepted till 10/11/2026.

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.