Principal Data Center Backbone Network Architect

Salesforce, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 197,000 - 345,000; Full time

Job summary

Salesforce, Inc. seeks an experienced Principal Network Engineer to lead the design and security posture of our first-party data center network in McLean, VA. You will own backbone connectivity, interconnect data centers with AWS/GCP, and drive automation in Ansible and Python.

You’ll guide multi‑year architecture programs, mentor engineers, and collaborate with security, cloud, and operations teams to scale infrastructure for enterprise workloads.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of network engineering or architecture experience at data center or service-provider scale.
• Hands-on with Ansible, Python, and Git-based workflows.
• Experience with Cisco, F5, Juniper, Ciena hardware and software.
• Strong background in security, vulnerability management, and secure protocol configuration.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve reference architectures for first-party data center networks across routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
• Design network and application delivery architectures for large-scale sites serving multiple Salesforce units.
• Own backbone and internet connectivity, including data-center interconnects with AWS and GCP.
• Lead hardware lifecycle planning and refreshes with validated designs and transition plans.
• Build and maintain network automation in Ansible and Python, with AI-assisted design workflows.
• Act as technical authority for complex design, capacity, and incident-driven questions.
• Lead security architecture and edge hardening; partner with cross-functional teams to deliver at scale.
• Drive deployment and tuning of edge protocols and policy (mTLS, HTTP/2, cipher suites).
• Oversee software certification and vulnerability management with vendors and ops teams.

Skills

Network Architecture

Ansible/Python/Git

Data Center & WAN Design

AI Fluency

Security & Vulnerability

Load Balancing / BIG-IP

TLS/SSL & Certificate Mgmt

Vendor Familiarity (Cisco, F5, Juniper

Leadership & Cross-team Collaboration

Tools

F5 BIG-IP

Git

Job description

Salesforce, Inc. seeks an experienced Principal Network Engineer to lead the design and security posture of our first-party data center network in McLean, VA. You will own backbone connectivity, interconnect data centers with AWS/GCP, and drive automation in Ansible and Python.

You’ll guide multi‑year architecture programs, mentor engineers, and collaborate with security, cloud, and operations teams to scale infrastructure for enterprise workloads.