Senior SD-WAN Network Architect

Cognizant; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant seeks a Senior SD-WAN Network Architect to design and optimize secure SD-WAN solutions for large enterprise clients, including automotive industry players. You will own end-to-end architecture decisions from HLDs through deployment and help scale a global network.

Based in Dearborn, MI, this onsite role requires five days a week in an office or client site. You will lead design discussions, coordinate with security, network, and application stakeholders, mentor team members, and ensure

Qualifications

• 10+ years in network design and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN (Viptela).
• CCNP Enterprise or equivalent Cisco certification.
• 3+ years of experience with Palo Alto Prisma Access, zScaler, or an equivalent SASE solution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of EMEA WAN requirements, including circuit migration, Cisco SD-WAN, and Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE solutions.
• Own High-Level Designs (HLDs) and deployment plans end-to-end, coordinating change activities across stakeholders.
• Keep the network current and well-documented, with devices upgraded to the latest recommended versions and data accurate across all systems.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to evolve network standards without disrupting the business.
• Manage service-provider relationships across quotes, renewals, circuit delivery, upgrades, and SLA claims.
• Bring deep design expertise in Cisco SD-WAN Viptela (vSmart, vBond, vManage, vEdge) and Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE to solve real architecture challenges, not just tickets.
• Apply advanced routing knowledge, including BGP, OSPF, route-maps, and ACLs, to keep a large-scale network fast and reliable.
• Strengthen network security posture through VPNs, QoS, and close coordination with service providers across the circuit lifecycle.
• Design, deploy, and troubleshoot large-scale WAN solutions, and communicate the reasoning behind your decisions clearly to technical and business audiences alike.

Skills

Network design

Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)

Routing protocols (BGP/OSPF)

WAN architecture leadership

Security integration (VPNs/QoS)

Vendor coordination

Education

CCNP Enterprise or higher

Tools

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE

zScaler

Job description

About the role

As a Senior SD-WAN Network Architect, you will design and optimize secure SD-WAN solutions using Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN, powering resilient, high-performance connectivity for large enterprise and automotive industry clients around the world. You'll own architecture decisions end-to-end from HLDs through deployment, and shape how a global network scales for years to come. You will be a valued member of the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team, working closely with security, network, and application stakeholders on work that has visible, lasting impact.

In this role, you will

• Lead the design and implementation of EMEA WAN network requirements, including circuit migration, Cisco SD-WAN, and Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE solutions.
• Own High-Level Designs (HLDs) and deployment plans end-to-end, coordinating change activities across stakeholders.
• Keep the network current and well-documented, with devices upgraded to the latest recommended versions and data accurate across all systems.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to evolve network standards without disrupting the business.
• Manage service-provider relationships across quotes, renewals, circuit delivery, upgrades, and SLA claims.
• Bring deep design expertise in Cisco SD-WAN Viptela (vSmart, vBond, vManage, vEdge) and Palo Alto Prisma Access SSE to solve real architecture challenges, not just tickets.
• Apply advanced routing knowledge, including BGP, OSPF, route-maps, and ACLs, to keep a large-scale network fast and reliable.
• Strengthen network security posture through VPNs, QoS, and close coordination with service providers across the circuit lifecycle.
• Design, deploy, and troubleshoot large-scale WAN solutions, and communicate the reasoning behind your decisions clearly to technical and business audiences alike.

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various well-being programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 5 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Dearborn, MI.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 10+ years of experience in network design and with Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN (Viptela SD-WAN).
• CCNP or higher-level network knowledge, with a valid Cisco certification (CCNP Enterprise required).
• 3+ years of experience with Palo Alto Prisma Access, zScaler, or an equivalent SASE solution.

These will help you stand out

• A SASE or SSE certification.
• Experience architecting networks for global, multi-site enterprise or automotive clients.
• A track record of mentoring engineers or leading design reviews.

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.