Solution Architect - Network Transformation

Solution Architect - Network Transformation

Job Description:

Lead solutioning and delivery architecture for large‑scale network modernization programs across WAN/LAN/WLAN and cloud networking. Own end‑to‑end designs for SD‑WAN to SASE/Zero‑Trust transitions, Network‑as‑a‑Service (NaaS) models, multi‑cloud connectivity patterns, and observability/automation, aligning to business outcomes, security, and experience (SLA/XLA).

• Own discovery, assessment and target‑state reference architectures for enterprise networks (WAN/LAN/WLAN, DC/Cloud, OT/edge).
• Design and document HLD/LLD for SD‑WAN platforms and SASE/Zero‑Trust controls (SWG, CASB, ZTNA, FWaaS).
• Define multi‑cloud networking patterns (AWS TGW/Transit, Azure vWAN/Route Server, GCP NCC) and hybrid connectivity (Express Route/Direct Connect/Interconnect).
• Shape LAN/WLAN modernization (intent‑based/SD‑Access, Wi‑Fi 6/6E/7) and campus segmentation with identity‑aware policies.
• Lead PoCs and solution validation; create BOMs/BOQs, migration runbooks, fallback plans, test/UAT approaches and acceptance criteria.
• Partner with OEMs and Telcos; evaluate NaaS constructs and commercials; contribute to make‑vs‑buy decisions.
• Embed observability and AIOps; specify telemetry, synthetics, and experience metrics (e.g., XLA) and define SLOs/SLIs.
• Industrialize network automation (Ansible/Terraform, pipelines, IaC/Git Ops), golden configs and compliance guardrails.
• Contribute to pursuits (RFI/RFP/Orals), solution narratives, effort/cost models and risk registers; ensure solution governance and sign‑offs.
• Provide architecture oversight into delivery; guide transition, cutovers, hypercare and handover; coach architects/engineers.
• Author reusable patterns/accelerators and knowledge assets for the practice; evangelize client frameworks and best practices.

Mandatory Skills Experience:

• 12–18+ years in networking with 6+ years as an architect delivering global programs (>200 sites or equivalent scale).
• Proven track record leading assessments, roadmaps, designs and migrations for SD‑WAN/SASE and campus/DC modernization. Experience in multi‑vendor, multi‑supplier environments; comfortable with Guardian/Service Integration models.
• Consulting orientation with strong client‑facing communication, storytelling and executive presentation skills.

Education & Certifications:

One or more vendor/industry certifications: CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, PCNSE, Fortinet NSE 7/8, ZIA/ZCCP, AWS Advanced Networking Specialty, Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate, TOGAF/ITIL (preferred).

Technical Skills:

• Deep architecture expertise in two or more SD‑WAN stacks (e.g., Cisco Viptela/Meraki, Aruba Edge Connect, Versa, Fortinet, Palo Alto/Prisma, Juniper).
• Hands‑on design of SASE components (SWG, CASB/DLP, ZTNA, FWaaS) with vendors such as Zscaler, Netskope, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco, or Cloudflare.
• Cloud networking across AWS/Azure/GCP (Transit/Hub‑and‑Spoke, vWAN, Route Server, TGW, NCC), DNS/DHCP/IPAM (e.g., Infoblox) and identity‑aware segmentation.
• Campus & DC networking (EVPN/VXLAN, SDA/ACI or equivalent), Wireless (Wi‑Fi 6/6E/7), NAC/802.1X.
• Automation and IaC (Ansible, Terraform, Git, CI/CD) and scripting (Python/Bash) to codify design, config and operational workflows.
• Observability & Digital Experience Monitoring (e.g., Thousand Eyes, App Neta, Datadog, Dynatrace) and NPM/NPMD stacks; capacity and performance engineering.
• Security fundamentals:
  Zero‑Trust architectures, micro/macro‑segmentation, certificate/PKI, encryption, BCP/DR for networks.
• Understanding of OT/Industrial networks and Private 5G/LTE (nice‑to‑have) for shop‑floor and edge scenarios.

• Customer focus and ownership mindset; ability to balance value, risk and cost.
• Collaborative leadership across architecture, engineering, security and operations.
• Structured problem‑solving; crisp writing; ability to create compelling solution narratives.

• Solution quality and governance (architecture checkpoints passed, deployment exceptions).
• Pursuit impact (win rate/shortlists, solution scoring, commercial hygiene).
• Migration outcomes (cutover success rate, MTTR, performance uplift,…