Principal Cloud Network Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Home office stipend

Unlimited PTO

Career growth in cloud tech

Global health coverage

Job summary

Placements24 invites an experienced Principal Cloud Network Engineer to design, implement and manage advanced cloud-based network architectures across AWS, Azure and GCP. The role is fully remote, offering a remote-first culture and high flexibility for global collaboration.

You will lead network strategy, automation with Terraform and Ansible, and mentor a distributed team of engineers while ensuring security, reliability, and scalability of multi-cloud connectivity.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in network engineering with 5+ years in cloud networking.
• Expert knowledge of AWS/Azure/GCP networking services.
• Proficiency in network automation and scripting (Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• Strong TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, DNS/DHCP and load balancing concepts.
• Experience with Kubernetes networking is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication and remote leadership abilities.
• Cloud networking certifications are a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of highly available, scalable, and secure cloud network solutions.
• Develop and implement robust network connectivity strategies between on-premises and multi-cloud environments.
• Manage and optimize cloud networking services, including VPCs, load balancers, firewalls, and VPN gateways.
• Automate network provisioning, configuration, and management using infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).
• Troubleshoot complex network issues in cloud environments and provide timely resolutions.
• Collaborate with application development and security teams to ensure network requirements are met.
• Define and enforce network security best practices within cloud environments.
• Stay abreast of the latest cloud networking technologies and trends, driving innovation.
• Mentor and guide other network engineers, sharing expertise and best practices.

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in telecommunications technology, is expanding its remote workforce and seeking a highly accomplished Principal Cloud Network Engineer. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere. You will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and managing sophisticated cloud-based network infrastructures that underpin our client's next-generation services. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience with major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), deep expertise in network architecture, and a passion for innovation in a distributed environment. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of cloud networking for a major industry player while enjoying the benefits of a remote-first culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of highly available, scalable, and secure cloud network solutions.
• Develop and implement robust network connectivity strategies between on-premises and multi-cloud environments.
• Manage and optimize cloud networking services, including VPCs, load balancers, firewalls, and VPN gateways.
• Automate network provisioning, configuration, and management using infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).
• Troubleshoot complex network issues in cloud environments and provide timely resolutions.
• Collaborate with application development and security teams to ensure network requirements are met.
• Define and enforce network security best practices within cloud environments.
• Stay abreast of the latest cloud networking technologies and trends, driving innovation.
• Mentor and guide other network engineers, sharing expertise and best practices.

Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in network engineering, with at least 5 years focused on cloud networking.
• Expert-level knowledge of AWS networking services (VPC, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, ELB) and/or Azure networking services (VNet, ExpressRoute, Virtual WAN).
• Proficiency in network automation tools and scripting languages (Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• Deep understanding of TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, DNS, DHCP, and load balancing concepts.
• Experience with container networking (e.g., Kubernetes) is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead projects in a remote setting.
• Cloud networking certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty) are a strong advantage.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance bonus structure.
• Comprehensive global health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous home office setup stipend.
• Unlimited paid time off policy.
• Significant opportunities for career growth and specialization in cloud technologies.
• Access to cutting-edge cloud platforms and tools.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering unparalleled flexibility.