Network Architect / Senior Network Engineer SD-Access Fabric Migration

Vertical Falls LLC; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertical Falls LLC in Austin, TX is seeking a highly experienced Network Architect / Senior Network Engineer to lead planning, design refinement, and deployment readiness for large-scale SD-Access fabric migrations in a hybrid environment.

You will translate high-level designs into deployment-ready configurations, author detailed runbooks, and provide real-time support during migration activities, ensuring smooth cutovers and post-migration stabilization across enterprise campuses.

Qualifications

• 8 years of enterprise networking experience.
• Hands-on with SD-Access fabric, or large-scale spine/leaf deployments.
• Translate architecture into implementation-ready docs and runbooks.
• IPv6 deployment experience in production.
• Experience with BGP, OSPF, underlay/overlay routing.
• VXLAN, EVPN-VXLAN, VRFs, VLANs, and policy enforcement.
• RADIUS, network access authentication, wired/wireless access.
• Strong technical writing and stakeholder communication.
• Ability to troubleshoot live deployment issues and perform root-cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end deployment planning for SD-Access fabric and spine/leaf networks.
• Translate high-level designs into deployment-ready low-level designs and runbooks.
• Develop IPv4-to-IPv6 migration strategies including dual-stack and native IPv6.
• Create scalable site deployment models for large enterprises.
• Identify risks, define mitigations, and establish success criteria for migration phases.
• Develop standardized configuration templates for SD-Access underlay/overlay and QoS.
• Author MOPs, deployment runbooks, rollback plans, validation checklists.
• Provide real-time support during migration activities and post-migration stabilization.
• Troubleshoot routing, segmentation, IPv6, VXLAN, RADIUS, wired/wireless access.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, vendors and stakeholders to drive outcomes.
• Review field feedback and improve deployment handoff processes.

Skills

Real-world implementation experience

IPv6 deployment/migration

VXLAN/EVPN-VXLAN

RADIUS authentication

Segmentation and policy enforcement

Wired/Wireless access troubleshooting

Written communication / MOPs

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Cisco Catalyst Center / DNA Center

Cisco ISE

Catalyst 9000 Series

Nexus switches

Arista devices

Palo Alto Networks

Opengear

Job description

Position: Network Architect / Senior Network Engineer SD-Access Fabric Migration

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid)

Duration: 6 Months Contract

Job Description:

++Latest Role Updates / Sourcing Priorities++

• Candidates must demonstrate real-world implementation experience, not just technical knowledge or certifications.
• IPv6 experience is a key priority; candidates should be comfortable discussing concepts, implementation scenarios, migration considerations, and operational support.
• Hands-on experience with VXLAN, RADIUS, segmentation, and wired/wireless authentication use cases is strongly preferred.
• Candidates should be able to explain how they troubleshoot live deployment or post-migration issues under time constraints.
• Scenario-based screening is recommended to validate practical experience, communication style, and problem-solving approach.
• Primary sourcing markets include Austin, TX and Silicon Valley / Bay Area candidates, with continued focus on candidates local to Austin or open to relocating.
• This is a high-priority opening tied to expected future ramp, so speed and quality in candidate identification are important. Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly experienced Network Architect / Senior Network Engineer to lead planning, design refinement, configuration development, deployment readiness, and post-migration support for large-scale SD-Access fabric and spine/leaf campus deployments. This role is ideal for someone who has personally led or supported enterprise network migrations and can speak confidently to implementation decisions, troubleshooting steps, and lessons learned from real-world deployments.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong documentation discipline, a consultative mindset, and the ability to communicate clearly with engineering, operations, project, and stakeholder teams during high-pressure deployment and stabilization efforts.

++What You Will Be Doing++

• Lead end-to-end deployment planning for SD-Access fabric and spine/leaf campus network modernization efforts.
• Translate High-Level Designs into deployment-ready Low-Level Designs, implementation plans, and configuration standards.
• Develop and execute phased IPv4-to-IPv6 migration strategies, including dual-stack, phased transition, and native IPv6 considerations.
• Create scalable, repeatable site deployment models that can be leveraged across large enterprise environments.
• Identify deployment risks, define mitigation strategies, and establish success criteria for each migration phase.
• Develop standardized configuration templates for SD-Access fabric, underlay and overlay routing, segmentation, policy enforcement, QoS, and application-aware routing.
• Author detailed Method of Procedure documents, deployment runbooks, rollback plans, validation checklists, and post-cutover verification steps.
• Provide real-time support during migration activities, pilot deployments, and post-migration stabilization.
• Troubleshoot practical deployment issues involving routing, segmentation, IPv6 connectivity, VXLAN, RADIUS authentication, wired/wireless access, and service restoration.
• Work closely with engineering, operations, field deployment, project management, vendor, and stakeholder teams to drive successful outcomes.
• Review field feedback and continuously improve deployment standards, documentation, and operational handoff processes.
• Support governance and change control by reviewing deployment plans, change requests, technical risks, and rollback readiness.

++Required Qualifications++

• 8 years of enterprise networking experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with SD-Access fabric, software-defined campus solutions, or large-scale spine/leaf network deployments.
• Proven experience translating architecture and design intent into implementation-ready documentation, configuration standards, and deployment runbooks.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting IPv6 deployment or migration efforts in production environments.
• Hands-on experience with BGP, OSPF, underlay/overlay architecture, route redistribution, failover, and route control.
• Practical experience with VXLAN, EVPN-VXLAN, segmentation, VRFs, VLANs, and policy enforcement.
• Experience supporting RADIUS, network access authentication, and wired/wireless access scenarios.
• Ability to troubleshoot live deployment issues, validate service restoration, perform root-cause analysis, and communicate next steps clearly.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience creating MOPs, implementation plans, rollback procedures, validation checklists, and operational handoff documentation.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical decisions, risks, and tradeoffs to cross-functional stakeholders.

++Preferred Qualifications++

• Experience supporting large-scale, multi-site network rollouts.
• Experience with Cisco Catalyst Center / DNA Center, Cisco ISE, Catalyst 9000, Nexus, Arista, Palo Alto Networks, or Opengear solutions.
• Network automation experience using tools such as Python, Ansible, Terraform, or configuration templating.
• Experience with routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, and enterprise access networks.
• Experience in regulated, uptime-sensitive, industrial, manufacturing, or large enterprise environments.
• CCNP Routing & Switching, Enterprise, Data Center, or equivalent hands-on experience. Core Competencies
• Real-world implementation experience and the ability to speak from direct project involvement.
• Structured troubleshooting and scenario-based problem solving.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during high-pressure cutovers or production-impacting events.
• Clear, concise communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to lead without direct authority.
• Strong documentation discipline and attention to repeatable process.
• Collaborative approach with project managers, field engineers, operations teams, vendors, and customer stakeholders.