Principal Network Engineer

Request Technology, LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Request Technology, LLC is seeking an experienced network engineer to design and evolve global, low-latency architectures with emphasis on deterministic performance. You will lead routing across BGP/OSPF/MPLS, validate designs in labs, and prepare migration runbooks for large-scale changes.

The role requires hybrid work (4 days onsite, 1 day remote) and 10+ years in mission-critical environments. AWS Direct Connect/Transit Gateway experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on network engineering in mission-critical, low-latency environments.
• Deep expertise in low-latency and deterministic network design, analyzing latency and jitter.
• Advanced knowledge of routing protocols at scale (BGP, OSPF, MPLS, multicast).
• Strong understanding of network hardware across major vendors.
• Experience designing hybrid cloud connectivity (AWS Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPCs).
• Proven experience building Python-based network automation (API-driven and SSH-based).
• Working knowledge of observability/telemetry tools like Prometheus, Grafana.
• Leadership in technical research, POC validation and pre-implementation design.
• Solid understanding of network security fundamentals (segmentation, access control, zero-trust).

Responsibilities

• Design and evolve low-latency, highly resilient network architectures globally.
• Lead routing design across BGP, OSPF, MPLS, multicast, and hybrid cloud.
• Conduct lab validation and testing for major network initiatives.
• Develop migration runbooks, capacity plans, and implementation guidance.
• Develop Python-based network automation for config management and testing.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, security, and application teams including budgeting support.
• Define monitoring and telemetry requirements using Prometheus or Grafana.

Skills

Low-latency design

Deterministic networking

Network analysis

Python automation

Lab validation

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

BGP

OSPF

MPLS

PIM-SM/SSM

Direct Connect

Transit Gateway

Prometheus

Grafana

Job description

***We are unable to sponsor as this is a permanent full time role***

***Hybrid, 4 days onsite, 1 day remote***

Responsibilities:

• Design and evolve low-latency, highly resilient network architecture across global data center, co-location, and cloud-connected environments, with a focus on deterministic packet forwarding, scalability, and operational consistency
• Lead advanced routing design and implementation across complex global environments, including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, multicast, hybrid cloud connectivity, traffic engineering, and high-availability network patterns
• Conduct deep technical research, lab validation, and pre-implementation testing for major network initiatives, working closely with engineering and software development teams to evaluate hardware capabilities, identify design constraints, and optimize exchange performance based on findings
• Lead high-complexity strategic projects from design through execution, producing detailed technical designs, migration runbooks, capacity plans, and implementation guidance for large-scale network changes
• Develop and maintain Python-based network automation to support configuration management, change validation, testing, and operational efficiency, with direct experience using both API-driven and SSH-based automation approaches
• Partner across infrastructure, security, application, and business teams to align network design and delivery with technical requirements, operational goals, and broader organizational priorities, including support for budgeting and planning related to network hardware and software investments
• Contribute to monitoring and telemetry strategy by helping define meaningful visibility requirements and supporting the use of tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, or similar platforms where they improve operational insight and troubleshooting

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of hands-on network engineering experience in mission-critical, low-latency environments, with a strong track record operating and evolving high-performance network infrastructure
• Deep expertise in low-latency and deterministic network design, including practical experience analyzing latency, jitter, and end-to-end traffic behavior in production environments
• Advanced knowledge of routing protocols at scale, including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, and multicast (PIM-SM/SSM), with proven experience designing resilient, highly available global networks
• Strong understanding of network hardware and platform capabilities across major vendors, with the ability to evaluate limitations and optimize design decisions through hands-on research and lab validation
• Experience designing and supporting hybrid cloud connectivity, including AWS networking constructs such as Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPCs, and route integration
• Proven experience building and maintaining Python-based network automation, including API-driven and SSH-based approaches for configuration management, testing, and operational efficiency
• Working knowledge of observability and telemetry concepts, with exposure to platforms such as Prometheus, Grafana, or similar tools for network visibility and performance analysis
• Strong background in leading technical research, proof-of-concept validation, and pre-implementation design for large-scale network initiatives
• Solid understanding of network security fundamentals, including segmentation, access control, and zero-trust principles as they apply to network design