Principal Technical Architect

Job Title: Principal Technical Architect

Location: Los Angeles, CA (Westwood Area)

Duration: Long Term Contract

Note: Frequent travel to the different offices/venues in Westwood, CA area and to around the LA/downtown will be required.

The Principal Technical Architect is a highly skilled subject matter expert responsible for providing architectural expertise in the design, development, and implementation of complex campus and branch network solutions. This role is focused on defining strategy, validating technical designs, and ensuring architectural solutions meet both functional and non-functional requirements, such as security, scalability, and performance. The Principal Architect is a senior-level leader who solves complex business and technical problems and actively mentors and guides other technical staff.

Core responsibilities:

• Architectural design and strategy: Lead the end-to-end design and evolution of core network solutions for campus and branch environments. Define the technical vision, strategy, and standards for the network architecture.
• System design and analysis: Conduct comprehensive system design activities to ensure that architectural solutions align with technical requirements and strategic business goals. Perform architectural analysis, evaluation, and design of complex network systems.
• SME leadership: Act as a subject matter expert, providing deep technical expertise and guidance on network solutions to internal teams and stakeholders. Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Technology implementation: Drive complex network modernization and migration projects, from lab validation and pilot phases to full-scale deployment and cutover planning.
• Collaboration and stakeholder management: Partner with business leaders, engineering teams, and other technical staff to translate business requirements into effective technical designs. Communicate architectural concepts and design decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Policy-based automation and segmentation: Implement and operationalize policy-based automation and network segmentation strategies, leveraging technologies such as Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) and Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI).
• Documentation: Create and maintain high-level and low-level design documents, "as-built" records, operational runbooks, and other critical documentation.

Technical expertise:

• Expertise with Cisco SD-Access architecture and implementation, including Catalyst Center (formerly Cisco DNA Center) for automation and assurance.
• Deep knowledge and implementation experience with Cisco ACI.
• Strong background in policy-based automation and segmentation, including Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and TrustSec.
• Expert knowledge of routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, and multicast for large-scale enterprise environments.
• Experience with campus wired and wireless networking.
• Strong understanding of network security, including firewalls (e.g., Cisco FTD), intrusion detection/prevention (IDS/IPS), and access control.

Required skills and qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in enterprise networking, including extensive hands-on experience in network architecture and design.
• Certifications: Professional-level or expert-level certifications such as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) are highly valued.
• Soft skills: Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The ability to build consensus and influence technical direction across teams.