# Principal Network Architect

**Company:** [CommandLink](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/commandlink)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** Security Engineering
**Salary:** $180K-$250K
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** BGP, Vlans, Qinq, Vrfs, Layer 2/3 Transport, Ip Addressing, Routing Policy, Azure Expressroute, Aws Direct Connect, Dwdm, Carrier Ethernet, Network Automation, Ccnp, Ccie, Jncip
**Posted:** 2026-06-25

> Principal-level network architect to design, expand, and commercialize private connectivity, cloud interconnect, and transport services. Own edge deployments, carrier negotiations, and product packaging for a fully remote infrastructure role.

## Job Description

## Connectivity Infrastructure
- Design and expand private connectivity and interconnect capabilities across strategic data centers, cloud onramps, carrier hotels, and customer aggregation points.
- Own edge node deployments end to end: hardware selection, redundancy design, routing, monitoring, documentation, and lifecycle management.
- Build scalable network architectures for point-to-point connectivity, cloud interconnect, private WAN transport, data center interconnect, IP transit, wavelength services, and dark fiber.

## Cloud Interconnect & Private Transport
- Expand private cloud connectivity offerings, with a focus on Azure ExpressRoute and comparable direct interconnect models.
- Define provisioning standards for cloud circuits, VLANs, BGP sessions, routing policy, bandwidth options, redundancy models, and customer handoffs.
- Build repeatable service models for private transport, data center interconnect, and multi-location private connectivity.

## Carrier, Data Center & Vendor Strategy
- Source and negotiate data center presence, colocation, cross-connects, Ethernet transport, wavelength services, dark fiber, IP transit, and carrier relationships.
- Identify cost-effective expansion opportunities and help define long-term infrastructure growth priorities.
- Evaluate commercial models for wholesale connectivity, bundled transport, and service-integrated network offerings.

## Product Development & Commercialization
- Translate technical infrastructure capabilities into clearly defined, repeatable, sellable product offerings.
- Define service packages, pricing inputs, operational handoff requirements, and support standards for the connectivity and transport portfolio.
- Collaborate with sales, operations, engineering, and finance to bring enhanced services to market and establish internal quoting and delivery standards.

## Technical Operations & Enablement
- Install, configure, and troubleshoot routers, switches, BGP sessions, VLANs, QinQ, VRFs, cross-connects, and transport circuits.
- Develop operational runbooks for provisioning, monitoring, escalation, maintenance, and vendor coordination.
- Train sales, engineering, implementation, and support teams on how to design, quote, provision, and support the expanded portfolio.

## Requirements
- Direct background building or operating network infrastructure at a carrier, MSP, data center provider, ISP, or managed connectivity provider.
- Hands-on proficiency in BGP, VLANs, QinQ, VRFs, Layer 2/3 transport, IP addressing, routing policy, redundant network design, and customer handoff design.
- Experience deploying routers, switches, circuits, and cross-connects in data center or colocation environments.
- Experience with private cloud connectivity, including Azure ExpressRoute or equivalent direct cloud interconnect models.
- Working familiarity sourcing and managing data center providers, carriers, fiber providers, transport vendors, and hardware partners.
- Demonstrated ability to translate infrastructure capabilities into commercial products: pricing, margins, vendor cost, contract terms, and operational delivery models.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.

## Preferred
- Background expanding an existing network product line or infrastructure-based service portfolio.
- Experience with network automation, APIs, orchestration, or self-service provisioning.
- Familiarity with optical networking, DWDM, carrier Ethernet, or metro fiber.
- Customer-facing experience in technical sales, solution architecture, or pre-sales engineering.
- Familiarity with service provider billing models: usage-based pricing, port-based pricing, wholesale/resale structures, and bandwidth commitments.
- Certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, JNCIE, or Azure Network Engineer (or equivalent real-world experience).

## Benefits
- Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for full-time employees
- Flexible time off
- 401k
- Fun events at cool locations
- Free DoorDash lunches on Fridays
- Employee referral bonuses

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