Network Architect - SD Access Fabric | IPv4 | IPv6

Virtual Tech Gurus; California, Austin (MO, TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Virtual Tech Gurus seeks a Senior Network Engineer to lead planning, design refinement and deployment readiness for large-scale spine/leaf campus deployments. This onsite role focuses on developing standardized configurations, validated designs, and detailed runbooks to ensure field teams are prepared for site migrations.

The candidate will combine deep technical expertise with documentation discipline, cross-functional coordination, and governance, including IPv4/IPv6 transitions, BGP/OSPF

Qualifications

• 8+ years of enterprise networking experience.
• 5+ years of SD-Access Fabric architecture experience.
• Proven experience building deployment documentation and standardized configuration templates.
• Demonstrated experience leading IPv6 migration initiatives in production environments.
• Strong expertise in: BGP (policy design, route control, redistribution), OSPF and multi-area design, Underlay/overlay architecture, EVPN-VXLAN or software-defined campus solutions, WAN resiliency and failover strategies, network segmentation and policy enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Deployment Planning & Strategy: Lead end-to-end deployment planning for SD-Access Fabric replacement network.
• Translate High-Level Designs (HLDs) into detailed, deployment-ready Low-Level Designs (LLDs).
• Develop and execute phased IPv4-to-IPv6 migration strategies (dual-stack, phased transition, or full native IPv6).
• Develop scalable, repeatable site deployment models.
• Identify technical risks and define mitigation strategies prior to cutovers.
• Define validation criteria and success metrics for each deployment phase.

Skills

SD-Access Fabric

IPv6 migration

BGP

OSPF

EVPN-VXLAN

Network design

Documentation

Governance

Cross-functional coordination

Tools

Python

Ansible

Terraform

Cisco

Arista

Palo Alto Networks

Job description

Position Summary

• We are seeking a Senior Network Engineer to lead the planning, design refinement, configuration development, and deployment readiness activities for large-scale spine/leaf campus deployments. This is a strategic, onsite networking lead role responsible for developing standardized configurations, validating designs, building detailed runbooks, and ensuring field deployment teams are fully prepared for successful site migrations. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong documentation discipline, a consultative mindset, and cross-functional coordination skills.

Primary Responsibilities

• Deployment Planning & Strategy
• Lead end-to-end deployment planning for SD-Access Fabric replacement network.
• Translate High-Level Designs (HLDs) into detailed, deployment-ready Low-Level Designs (LLDs).
• Develop and execute phased IPv4-to-IPv6 migration strategies (dual-stack, phased transition, or full native IPv6).
• Develop scalable, repeatable site deployment models.
• Identify technical risks and define mitigation strategies prior to cutovers.
• Define validation criteria and success metrics for each deployment phase.

Configuration Development & Standardization

• Refine standardized configuration templates for:
• SD-Access Fabric
• Underlay and overlay routing
• Segmentation (VRFs, VLANs, policies)
• QoS and application-aware routing
• Validate route redistribution and failover behaviours.
• Support automation efforts (templating, scripting, zero-touch provisioning).

Runbook & MOP Creation

• Author detailed Method of Procedure (MOP) documents for:
• SD-Access Fabric planning and migration
• IPv4 and IPv6 addressing changes
• Develop step-by-step deployment runbooks for field engineers.
• Create standardized rollback procedures.
• Define pre-cutover validation and post-cutover verification checklists.
• Ensure documentation is clear, repeatable, and aligned with change management processes.

Technical Oversight & Support

• Provide real-time remote support during site cutovers for initial pilots.
• Review field deployment feedback and refine processes accordingly.
• Validate as-built configurations against design intent.
• Continuously refine deployment standards based on field feedback.

Governance & Change Control

• Review and approve change requests for network deployments.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise architecture and security standards.
• Maintain master design documentation and configuration baselines.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of deployment methodology.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of enterprise networking experience.
• 5+ years of SD-Access Fabric architecture experience.
• Proven experience building deployment documentation and standardized configuration templates.
• Demonstrated experience leading IPv6 migration initiatives in production environments.
• Strong expertise in:
• BGP (policy design, route control, redistribution)
• OSPF and multi-area design
• Underlay/overlay architecture
• EVPN-VXLAN or software-defined campus solutions
• WAN resiliency and failover strategies
• Network segmentation and policy enforcement

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale multi-site rollouts (50+ sites).
• Network automation experience (Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• Experience with routing, switching, wireless, and firewalls.
• Experience in regulated or uptime-sensitive environments (industrial, manufacturing, utilities).
• Experience with Cisco, Arista, Palo Alto Networks, and Open Gear solutions.
• CCNP R&S or equivalent.

Core Competencies

• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Systems-level thinking and architectural awareness.
• Ability to anticipate deployment risks before execution.
• Strong collaboration skills with PMs, field engineers, and vendors.
• Analytical mindset with structured problem-solving approach.
• Comfortable providing leadership without direct authority.

Work Environment

• Primarily onsite at customer campus located in Austin, TX or Santa Clara Valley, CA.
• Occasional participation in after-hours migration bridge calls as escalation lead.
• Limited travel; focused on planning, validation, and oversight rather than physical deployment.

JOBID: 12389