Principal Network Engineer

Company Overview:

Arctiq is a global intelligence-driven technology services company delivering professional and managed services across Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure Networking & Connected Experiences Cybersecurity Data & AI Autonomous Operations & Intelligence and Enterprise Service Management. We help organizations operate secure and modernize complex environments by unifying infrastructure networking data security automation and observability under a single integrated operating model. Our work focuses on helping customers reduce operational friction improve resilience and make better faster decisions as their environments evolve. Arctiq builds on decades of industry expertise and a customer-centric ethos to deliver exceptional value to clients across diverse industries.

This is a contract-to-hire opportunity with one of Arctiqs clients. It is a requirement to be onsite in their Charlotte NC office 5 days/week.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Principal Network Engineer for our client. This role serves as the senior-most technical authority for enterprise networking network security connectivity and perimeter infrastructure across the organization responsible for the architecture engineering implementation and lifecycle management of highly available secure and scalable network solutions supporting branch locations data centers cloud services contact centers and digital banking platforms.

This position requires deep expertise in Fortinet and Palo Alto technologies and provides strategic and technical leadership for the clients network infrastructure. The candidate will partner closely with Information Security Infrastructure Engineering Application Support Cloud Operations and business stakeholders to ensure network performance operational resiliency regulatory compliance and cybersecurity protection. This role also acts as a technical mentor and escalation point for network engineers and operational support teams while driving modernization initiatives aligned with business objectives and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Design implement and maintain enterprise-class network architectures supporting branch campus data center cloud and remote workforce connectivity
• Develop strategic network roadmaps aligned with organizational growth digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives
• Architect highly available and redundant routing switching wireless SD-WAN VPN and perimeter security solutions
• Lead technology evaluations proof-of-concepts and infrastructure modernization efforts
• Develop network standards reference architectures engineering guidelines and operational procedures
• Serve as the subject matter expert for Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet security platforms designing and managing next-generation firewall architectures
• Implement and maintain Zero Trust network principles and design network segmentation strategies supporting PCI-DSS FFIEC NCUA and NIST frameworks
• Support security assessments audits penetration testing and vulnerability remediation activities
• Design and support secure connectivity solutions for Microsoft Azure Microsoft 365 SaaS platforms and third-party financial service providers
• Architect VPN ExpressRoute SD-WAN and secure cloud interconnect solutions ensuring optimized performance and security across hybrid environments
• Function as the highest-level escalation point for network-related incidents and complex problem resolution
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action planning for major incidents
• Establish performance baselines and proactive monitoring strategies to ensure network capacity planning uptime resiliency and availability targets
• Participate in disaster recovery and business continuity planning testing and validation activities
• Ensure network infrastructure complies with NCUA FFIEC GLBA PCI-DSS NIST and CIS Control requirements
• Support internal and external audits and maintain documentation required for regulatory examinations
• Identify and mitigate infrastructure risks through proactive engineering and governance practices
• Mentor network engineers and infrastructure team members establishing engineering standards and providing technical governance
• Participate in strategic planning and technology budgeting efforts
• Lead major infrastructure projects and vendor engagements
• Collaborate with Information Security leadership on enterprise cybersecurity initiatives

Qualifications:

• 10 years of progressive enterprise network engineering experience
• 5 years designing and supporting large-scale Cisco Fortinet or Palo Alto environments
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise routing and switching including BGP OSPF EIGRP VLANs VRFs QoS and Multicast
• Deep expertise in Palo Alto technologies including NGFW Panorama GlobalProtect WildFire Threat Prevention DNS Security and SD-WAN
• Deep expertise in Fortinet technologies including FortiGate FortiManager FortiAnalyzer FortiWeb FortiSwitch FortiAP and FortiAuthenticator
• Strong background in network security including microsegmentation NAC IDS/IPS ZTNA SSL inspection and MFA integration
• Experience with cloud networking including Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute hybrid cloud connectivity and Microsoft 365 networking
• Experience with enterprise wireless technologies wireless security and guest access design
• Experience supporting highly regulated financial services organizations preferred
• Experience supporting multiple branch locations and geographically distributed networks
• Experience designing highly available and fault-tolerant network architectures
• Bachelors degree in Information Technology Computer Science Information Systems Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred experience with Cisco Nexus and Catalyst platforms F5 load balancers DNS/DHCP/IPAM SIEM integrations SASE architectures and automation/Infrastructure-as-Code

Arctiq is an equal opportunity employer. If you need any accommodations or adjustments throughout the interview process and beyond please let us know. We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

We thank you for your interest in joining the Arctiq team! While we welcome all applicants only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Required Experience:

Staff IC