Principal Network Architect

Workday; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday is seeking a Principal Network Architect in Pleasanton, CA to lead strategic design and modernization of global network and cloud infrastructure. You’ll drive ZTNA/SSE, micro-segmentation, and automation while aligning with security and cloud roadmaps.

You will mentor senior network engineers, chair ARB reviews, and define standards across campus, cloud, and WAN architectures to support Workday’s growing SaaS platform and hybrid workforce.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of network leadership in a large-scale global network engineering environment.
• 5+ years serving in a Principal or Enterprise Network Architect roles within a global enterprise environment.
• 5+ years of professional experience within the software as a service industry.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute strategic network architecture roadmap; integrate zero-trust controls and cloud-native networking.
• Lead evolution from legacy topologies to managed cloud backbones (AWS Cloud WAN, GWLB firewalls, multi-region peering).
• Serve as security champion for Network & Cloud, aligning designs with ZTA principles.
• Design standard frameworks for Branch Office 2.0 (SD‑WAN), wireless networks, campus switching, and VCR environments.
• Establish enterprise-wide micro-segmentation architectures to eliminate implicit trust.
• Represent Network & Cloud in Architecture Review Board (ARB).
• Formulate standards for RFPs, vendor evaluation, and PoC activities across campus, WiFi, and cloud tooling.
• Drive ZTNA, SSE, and posture-based access policies; modernize automation pipelines.
• Lead SD-WAN modernization to standardize global office connectivity and direct-to-cloud paths.
• Lead AIOps initiatives with CI/CD policy deployment pipelines.
• Oversee migration of legacy Transit Gateways to high-throughput GWLBs and Cloud WAN.
• Modernize intake and review processes and mentor engineers to improve architectural rigor.

Skills

Network leadership

Enterprise networking

Stakeholder communication

ZTNA architecture

Security policy design

Mentoring

Python/Ansible

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in CS/CE/IT

Tools

AWS Cloud Networking

Transit Gateways

GWLB

VPC peering

Job description

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

The Principal Network Architect will lead the strategic design, modernization, and governance of our global network and cloud infrastructure. This role represents a strategic position focused on infrastructure evolution. While historical efforts focused on operational engineering and stability, Workday’s rapid expansion and modern infrastructure demands require a strategic, design-first architect. The modern network operates at the intersection of hybrid cloud connectivity, security enforcement, and automated operations. Reporting directly to the Sr. Director of Cloud & Network Infrastructure, the Principal Network Architect will act as the technical authority for Workday's global enterprise network. The architect will drive major transformations, including Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), micro‑segmentation, AIOps/network automation, and Branch Office 2.0 (SD-WAN).

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Alignment & Architecture Roadmap
  • Define and execute the strategic network architecture roadmap that integrates zero-trust access controls, cloud-native networking, and automated infrastructure pipeline tools.
  • Lead the network evolution from legacy transit topologies to managed cloud backbones (e.g., AWS Cloud WAN, GWLB firewalls, multi-region peering).
  • Serve as the security champion for the Network & Cloud Tower, ensuring all network designs align with modern enterprise security postures and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles.
• Architecture Design, Standards & Governance
  • Design standard logical and physical architecture frameworks for Branch Office 2.0 (SD-WAN), wireless networks, campus switching, and Virtual Clean Room (VCR) environments.
  • Establish enterprise-wide micro‑segmentation architectures (e.g., Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks) to eliminate implicit trust within internal networks.
  • Represent the Network & Cloud domain in the Architecture Review Board (ARB) to ensure all new cloud and network infrastructure projects conform to established standards.
  • Formulate standards for RFPs, vendor evaluation, and Proof-of-Concept (PoC) activities across campus, WiFi, and cloud networking tooling.
• Transformation Initiatives & Modernization
  • Zero Trust (ZT) & SASE / SSE
    • Drive the implementation of ZTNA and Security Service Edge (SSE) frameworks, integrating posture-based routing, identity controls (Okta), and cloud security enforcement.
  • Branch Office 2.0
    • Lead next‑generation SD‑WAN architecture to standardize global office connectivity, optimize direct‑to‑cloud pathing, and partner with REWS on workplace technology deployments.
  • AIOps & Network Automation
    • Lead the shift toward Intent‑Based Networking (IBN) and AIOps by introducing single‑source‑of‑truth architectures (e.g., Network to Code pilot), automated bootstrapping, and CI/CD policy deployment pipelines.
  • Cloud Networking Optimization
    • Oversee the migration of legacy Transit Gateway VPCs and bandwidth‑constrained SD‑WAN tunnels to high‑throughput Gateway Load Balancers (GWLB) and Cloud WAN.
• Technical Leadership & Operations Intake Modernization
  • Modernize the architectural intake and review process to transition the team from reactive ticket‑based requests to proactive, design‑led project execution.
  • Track and actively reduce technical debt across core infrastructure, firewall rule bases, and legacy transit configurations.
  • Mentor senior network engineers and solution architects, fostering architectural rigor and standard diagramming methodologies across the organization.

About You

Basic Qualifications

• 12+ years of network leadership in a large-scale global network engineering environment.
• 5+ years serving in a Principal or Enterprise Network Architect roles within a global enterprise environment.
• 5+ years of professional experience within the software as a service industry.

Other Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to deliver messaging to varying business groups.
• Experience deploying ZTNA, SSE, micro‑segmentation, and posture‑based access policies (Zscaler Private Access/Internet Access, Palo Alto Networks, Okta integrations).
• Advanced design expertise in AWS cloud networking architectures (Transit Gateways, Cloud WAN, GWLB, VPC peering, Direct Connect) and multi‑cloud interconnects.
• Deep knowledge of WAN edge architectures, enterprise SD‑WAN solutions, BGP routing, multihoming, and WAN optimization.
• Expertise in next‑generation firewalls (Palo Alto Networks PanOS/Panorama), VM bootstrapping, intrusion prevention, and secure web gateways.
• Experience with network automation frameworks (Python, Ansible, Terraform, NetBox/Nautobot), CI/CD pipelines, and AI‑assisted network observability tools.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or e