Network Architect - Cisco Catalyst SDWAN / Wireless (DNAC + ISE)

About the Role

We are looking for a seasoned Network Architect to spearhead the design and enterprise architecture for the next-generation campus and WAN networks. This role demands comprehensive ownership of the architecture covering Cisco Catalyst Switching (LAN), and either Cisco Catalyst SDWAN or Cisco Wireless (mandatory one, both preferred). Additionally, you will lead automation and assurance initiatives using Cisco DNA Center (DNAC) and oversee identity and segmentation frameworks leveraging Cisco ISE and TrustSec.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and strategic roadmap planning for Cisco Catalyst SDWAN or Cisco Wireless solutions, ensuring at least one expertise and preferably both.
• Develop scalable and resilient enterprise LAN, WAN, and WLAN architectures based on Cisco Catalyst switching.
• Set architecture guardrails ensuring regulatory, security, and enterprise standard compliance.
• Architect and implement Cisco DNA Center solutions to enable network automation, configuration standardization, assurance, health monitoring, analytics, and lifecycle management including updates and patches.
• Define operational standards that utilize DNAC for proactive risk mitigation.
• Design and manage Cisco ISE-based identity, access control, and segmentation architectures including policies for 802.1X, SGT, TrustSec, guest access, and Zero Trust frameworks.
• Establish routing, segmentation, QoS, and security standards across LAN/WAN environments.
• Provide technical leadership during network transformations involving SDWAN, wireless, and campus networks, including reviewing design documents and guiding implementation teams.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex design and integration challenges, driving root-cause analysis based improvements.
• Collaborate with security, cloud, and application teams for an integrated network infrastructure.
• Drive innovation by evaluating new Cisco technologies and leading modernization efforts to enhance performance, scalability, availability, and operational efficiency.

Required Skills and Experience

• Hands-on and architectural expertise with Cisco Catalyst SDWAN or Cisco Wireless (at least one mandatory).
• Proven capability in defining enterprise LAN/WAN/WLAN architectures utilizing Cisco Catalyst switching platforms.
• Strong experience with Cisco DNA Center encompassing automation, assurance, and analytics functions.
• Extensive design proficiency with Cisco ISE, including policies for 802.1X, segmentation, guest access, and TrustSec/SGT.
• Solid understanding of routing and campus design principles, segmentation approaches, QoS standards, and security architectures aligned with Zero Trust.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience encompassing both Cisco Catalyst SDWAN and Cisco Wireless architectures.
• Exposure to Software-Defined Access (SDA) and fabric-based campus design integrating DNAC and ISE.
• Familiarity with enterprise security integrations and multi-domain architecture governance.
• Knowledge of ITIL/ITSM processes including incident, problem, and change management.
• Cisco certifications such as CCNP or CCIE in Enterprise, Wireless, or Security domains are advantageous.

Eligibility

Open to applicants holding a graduate degree in any discipline.