Principal Network Architect - Wireless

Sysco Northeast Rdc; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company is seeking a Principal Network Architect to lead its global network architecture strategy. This position entails designing scalable and resilient network solutions, driving technical governance, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure operational excellence. Candidates should have over 15 years of IT infrastructure experience, including significant expertise in network architecture. A bachelor’s degree in a related field and industry certifications such as CCNP or CCIE are required.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, including 8+ years in network architecture.
• Professional Industry Certifications in networking like CCNP, CCIE.
• Experience with cybersecurity, application, and infrastructure integration.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic leader for global network architecture.
• Architect scalable and resilient network solutions.
• Lead cross-functional technical governance initiatives.

Skills

Expert-level design and strategy across Cisco enterprise gear

Multi-cloud networking strategies and integrations

Global network design and cross-regional architecture

Strong grasp of infrastructure-as-code and automation frameworks

High-level network modeling and capacity forecasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in information systems, Engineering, or Computer Science

Tools

Cisco (Catalyst, Nexus, DNA Center)

F5 application services (LTM, GTM, ASM)

Job description

This is a hybrid position requiring an on-site presence 3 to 4 days per week. Please note that the number of days on-site can increase based on business needs.

Job Summary

The Principal Network Architect serves as the top-level technical authority in network architecture, responsible for setting the vision and strategy for global network infrastructure. This role provides deep technical leadership, defines enterprise-wide standards, and integrates new technologies into the environment. The Principal Network Architect ensures architectural integrity, operational excellence, and alignment between business strategy and network design.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic leader for global network architecture, driving the vision for secure, scalable, and high-performing infrastructure across all regions.
• Design and solve complex technology and infrastructure challenges with broad enterprise impact.
• Architect global, scalable, and resilient network solutions that support mission-critical systems. Integrating on-premise, cloud, and edge network solutions to enable global business operations and innovation.
• Integrate cybersecurity, application, and infrastructure requirements into holistic network designs.
• Lead cross-functional technical governance to ensure alignment between network, security, and application architecture.
• Define and champion enterprise-wide standards for Cisco, Checkpoint, Palo Alto, F5, HP/Aruba, and cloud networking platforms.
• Oversee the technical roadmap for data center modernization, SD-WAN expansion, and secure remote access initiatives.
• Assess and integrate emerging technologies to future-proof network capabilities. Analyzing future business needs and emerging technology trends to inform long-term network strategy.
• Publish high-level documentation and oversee operational readiness of new solutions.
• Drive innovation and advocate for technology investments aligned with strategic objectives.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison to executive leadership, vendors, and global stakeholders.
• Act as final escalation for complex network design decisions and risk assessments.
• Represent the networking function to senior leadership, global partners, and strategic vendors.
• Participate in on-call rotation and global incident escalations to ensure 24x7 uptime coverage.

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems, Engineering, Computer Science or a related field of study. Related experience may be considered in lieu of required formal education

Experience

15+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, including 8+ years of progressive responsibility in network architecture and enterprise solution design.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Professional Industry Certifications in the area of Network infrastructure, such as CCNP, CCIE

Licenses/Certifications Preferred

• Industry Certifications in Networking, Cyber, wireless, telecom, or other infrastructure areas

Technical Skills

• Expert-level design and strategy across Cisco enterprise gear (Catalyst, Nexus, DNA Center) and multi-region routing infrastructure
• Global network design and cross-regional architecture for large-scale enterprises
• Global segmentation and Zero Trust Architecture with deep knowledge of Checkpoint and Palo Alto policy design
• Multi-cloud networking strategies and integrations (Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Architect-level expertise in F5 application services (LTM, GTM, ASM) and HA configurations
• Leadership in global SD-WAN and edge security architecture using HP/Aruba, Palo Alto Prisma, and similar platforms
• Network infrastructure strategy and lifecycle planning
• Vendor and platform evaluation (hardware/software lifecycle, RFPs, PoCs)
• Hybrid cloud interconnect planning, cloud-native network design (Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Enterprise DNS/DHCP/IPAM strategy and scalability
• Enterprise standards development and architectural governance
• High-level network modeling, capacity forecasting, and risk assessment
• Governance and architecture oversight for large-scale deployments, mergers, and international compliance
• Strong grasp of infrastructure-as-code and automation frameworks to support agile deployment practices
• Cross-domain integrations (network + security + application + DevOps)