Principal Technical Consultant - Network & Security Solution Architect

Ahead; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Parental leave

Caregiver leave

Job summary

AHEAD seeks a Solution Architect – Network & Network Security to lead enterprise-scale network and security design for a Fortune 10 client. You will drive architecture decisions, guide delivery across multiple workstreams, and ensure alignment with standards and client expectations.

You are a strong communicator, mentor engineers, and stay current on data center, WAN/LAN, cloud, and security trends with vendors like Arista, Cisco, and Palo Alto.

Qualifications

• Experience designing large-scale network and security solutions.
• Ability to lead and mentor small engineering teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of network and security solutions, including data center, WAN/LAN, cloud, and hybrid environments.
• Collaborate with and drive teams to assess requirements, define solutions, and ensure alignment with standards and objectives.
• Delegate and lead small teams of engineers, providing guidance to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.
• Oversee multiple workstreams, manage dependencies, priorities and risks to maintain solution integrity.
• Provide governance and quality assurance throughout solution lifecycle, from design to deployment.
• Develop, review, and present architectural documentation, high-level designs and detailed designs for technical and executive audiences.
• Act as escalation point for complex network and security challenges with independent judgment.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and vendor roadmaps to inform decisions.
• Communicate with authority in client meetings, architecture reviews, and steering committees.

Skills

WAN/LAN & Cloud architecture

Azure cloud

Leadership experience

Consultative / stakeholder management

Excellent communication

Tools

Arista

Cisco

Palo Alto

Job description

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.

AtAHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.

We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives atAHEAD.

The Solution Architect – Network & Network Security

Will act as a senior technical leader and trusted advisor within a complex, high-demand Fortune 10 client environment. This role requires designing, validating, and guiding the implementation of enterprise-scale network and security solutions across multiple concurrent workstreams. The role demands a professional who is outspoken, results-driven, and an exceptional communicator, capable of influencing stakeholders, driving technical decisions, and ensuring delivery excellence while maintaining alignment with AHEAD standards and client expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the architecture and design of large-scale network and security solutions, including data center, WAN/LAN, cloud, and hybrid environments.
• Collaborate with and drive teams to assess requirements, define solutions, and ensure alignment with enterprise standards, compliance frameworks, and strategic objectives.
• Delegate and lead small teams of engineers, providing guidance and oversight to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.
• Oversee multiple workstreams concurrently, managing dependencies, priorities, and risks to maintain solution integrity and on-time delivery.
• Provide technical governance and quality assurance throughout solution lifecycle, from initial design through deployment, validation, and optimization.
• Develop, review, and present architectural documentation, high-level designs (HLDs), and detailed designs (LLDs) to technical and executive audiences.
• Act as a primary escalation point for complex network and security challenges, applying independent judgment to recommend actionable solutions.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, emerging technologies, and vendor roadmaps (Arista, Cisco, Palo Alto, etc.) to inform strategic decisions.
• Communicate with authority and professionalism in client meetings, architecture reviews, and steering committees to influence direction and build consensus.
• Collaborate with internal AHEAD teams to ensure solution consistency, knowledge sharing, and alignment with delivery methodologies.
• Drive results proactively, anticipating challenges, mitigating risks, and ensuring commitments are met with a focus on client satisfaction and operational excellence.

Requirements:

• WAN/LAN, Network and Cloud expertise including Azure. GCP is a plus
• Ability to architect, design and deliver solutions.
• Consultative experience. Leadership experience.
• Excellent communication skills.

$180,000 - $220,000 a year

The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings(“OTE”) for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Why AHEAD:

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.

We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.

USA Employment Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid company holidays
• Paid time off
• Paid parental and caregiver leave
• Plus more! See benefits https://www.aheadbenefits.com/ for additional details.

Use of AI:

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, assessing responses, or to capture recordings and create transcriptions or summaries during interviews. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please refer to the Candidate Privacy Notice or contact us at [e-mail].

You may opt-out of the review or analysis of your application and resume by AI tools by using the General Application. Please include the role you wish to apply for in the Additional Information field. You may also choose to opt-out of recording and transcription at any time, including after joining an interview. Candidates will not be penalized for choosing to opt-out.