Principal Network & Security Architect

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Principal Network & Security Architect based in United States.** This senior architecture role offers the opportunity to lead enterprise-scale cybersecurity and networking transformations for complex customer environments. You will serve as the technical authority for SASE, SD-WAN, cloud security, and next-generation firewall initiatives, guiding projects from strategy through successful deployment. The role combines deep technical expertise with customer-facing leadership, requiring strong architecture, consulting, and implementation skills. You will design and deliver secure, scalable solutions across multi-cloud environments, branch networks, and global enterprise infrastructures. Working closely with engineering teams, customers, and business stakeholders, you will shape best practices and drive successful security modernization programs. This is an impactful opportunity for an experienced architect who thrives on solving complex challenges and delivering innovative security solutions. ### Accountabilities: In this role, you will act as the senior technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, and guiding enterprise network and security transformation projects. You will own the complete technical lifecycle of engagements while providing strategic consulting, architecture leadership, and hands-on expertise. - Lead the architecture, design, and delivery of enterprise SASE and SD-WAN solutions, including cloud security platforms, next-generation firewalls, Zero Trust architectures, and secure branch connectivity. - Own technical execution across customer engagements, from discovery and requirements gathering through solution design, implementation, testing, migration, and final deployment. - Develop comprehensive technical documentation, including high-level designs, low-level designs, implementation plans, migration strategies, testing results, and operational runbooks. - Design and validate cloud connectivity solutions using technologies such as AWS Direct Connect, OCI FastConnect, Megaport, BGP routing, and secure cloud interconnects. - Lead complex migrations from legacy SD-WAN platforms and cloud security solutions while minimizing operational disruption and maintaining business continuity. - Facilitate technical workshops, architecture reviews, customer presentations, project kickoffs, and executive-level discussions. - Act as the primary escalation point for technical challenges, providing expert guidance and driving resolution with internal and external stakeholders. - Support pre-sales activities by contributing technical estimates, statements of work, solution reviews, and customer proposals. - Mentor engineering teams, share technical knowledge, and establish reusable architecture standards and best practices. - Promote operational excellence through strong documentation, change management processes, project reviews, and customer acceptance procedures. - Help evolve security consulting capabilities by developing scalable approaches for SASE, network security, Zero Trust, and cloud transformation initiatives. ## Requirements: The ideal candidate is a highly experienced network and security architect with a proven ability to lead large-scale enterprise transformations. You should bring deep expertise in modern cybersecurity architectures, cloud networking, and customer-facing technical leadership. - 12+ years of experience in enterprise networking and cybersecurity architecture. - 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and deploying large-scale SASE solutions. - Extensive experience with Palo Alto Networks security technologies, including Prisma Access, Prisma SD-WAN, Strata Cloud Manager, VM-Series, PA-Series NGFW, GlobalProtect, Cloud Identity Engine, ADEM, and CASB solutions. - Proven experience leading migrations from legacy SD-WAN technologies and cloud security platf…