We are seeking an accomplished Networking Architect with extensive expertise in Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) to design, architect, and lead the implementation of modern, intent-based access network solutions across enterprise environments. This strategic role is critical for transforming our campus and branch network infrastructure, enabling zero-trust security, network segmentation, and operational simplicity. The successful candidate will develop enterprise-wide SDA strategies, architect complex multi-site deployments, drive technical innovation, mentor senior engineers, and serve as the principal subject matter expert in SDA technologies and architectural best practices
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Architecture & Design Develop comprehensive enterprise SDA architecture strategies aligned with business objectives, security requirements, and organizational growth Design end-to-end Software-Defined Access solutions spanning campus, branch, and remote access environments Architect multi-site SDA fabrics incorporating fabric edge, fabric core, and border nodes Design network segmentation and microsegmentation strategies using SDA's policy-based approach Create detailed architectural documentation, design specifications, and reference architectures Conduct feasibility studies and provide recommendations for network modernization initiatives Develop network migration strategies and roadmaps for legacy infrastructure to SDA Design solutions supporting diverse environments (wired, wireless, branch, IoT, guest)
Develop comprehensive enterprise SDA architecture strategies aligned with business objectives, security requirements, and organizational growth
Design end-to-end Software-Defined Access solutions spanning campus, branch, and remote access environments
Architect multi-site SDA fabrics incorporating fabric edge, fabric core, and border nodes
Design network segmentation and microsegmentation strategies using SDA's policy-based approach
Create detailed architectural documentation, design specifications, and reference architectures
Conduct feasibility studies and provide recommendations for network modernization initiatives
Develop network migration strategies and roadmaps for legacy infrastructure to SDA
Design solutions supporting diverse environments (wired, wireless, branch, IoT, guest)
SDA Implementation Leadership Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale SDA deployments across multiple sites Architect Catalyst Center integration with SDA fabric management and provisioning Design fabric topology including fabric edge, fabric core, border nodes, and control plane nodes Architect IP address management (IPAM) and DHCP strategies for SDA environments Design and implement SDA policy frameworks and scalable group tags (SGTs) Lead integration of wireless networks (Catalyst 9000 series) with SDA fabric Architect branch connectivity using SD-WAN integration with SDA Design and implement SDA for IoT, guest, and BYOD access scenarios
Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale SDA deployments across multiple sites
Architect Catalyst Center integration with SDA fabric management and provisioning
Design fabric topology including fabric edge, fabric core, border nodes, and control plane nodes
Architect IP address management (IPAM) and DHCP strategies for SDA environments
Design and implement SDA policy frameworks and scalable group tags (SGTs)
Lead integration of wireless networks (Catalyst 9000 series) with SDA fabric
Architect branch connectivity using SD-WAN integration with SDA
Design and implement SDA for IoT, guest, and BYOD access scenarios
Zero-Trust Security Architecture Architect comprehensive zero-trust security frameworks leveraging SDA capabilities Design identity-based and device-based access policies using Cisco ISE integration Architect microsegmentation strategies using Scalable Group Tags (SGTs) and Security Group ACLs (SGACLs) Design threat-centric access control policies based on user, device, and application context Architect integration with Cisco Secure Network Analytics (Stealthwatch) for threat detection Design encryption and authentication strategies for SDA environments Develop compliance frameworks aligned with industry standards (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, etc.) Design audit and logging architectures for compliance and forensic analysis
Architect comprehensive zero-trust security frameworks leveraging SDA capabilities
Design identity-based and device-based access policies using Cisco ISE integration
Architect microsegmentation strategies using Scalable Group Tags (SGTs) and Security Group ACLs (SGACLs)
Design threat-centric access control policies based on user, device, and application context
Architect integration with Cisco Secure Network Analytics (Stealthwatch) for threat detection
Design encryption and authentication strategies for SDA environments
Develop compliance frameworks aligned with industry standards (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, etc.)
Design audit and logging architectures for compliance and forensic analysis
Network Segmentation & Policy Architecture Design scalable network segmentation using Scalable Group Tags (SGTs) Architect Security Group ACLs (SGACLs) for granular access control Design policy-based access control frameworks translating business requirements into network policies Architect VN (Virtual Network) designs for multi-tenancy and organizational separation Design and implement advanced policy features including contract-based policies Architect policy analytics and visibility for compliance and security monitoring Design policy governance and change management processes
Design scalable network segmentation using Scalable Group Tags (SGTs)
Architect Security Group ACLs (SGACLs) for granular access control
Design policy-based access control frameworks translating business requirements into network policies
Architect VN (Virtual Network) designs for multi-tenancy and organizational separation
Design and implement advanced policy features including contract-based policies
Architect policy analytics and visibility for compliance and security monitoring
Design policy governance and change management processes
Catalyst Center & Automation Architecture Architect Catalyst Center integration with SDA fabric management and provisioning Design network automation and orchestration strategies leveraging Catalyst Center APIs Develop Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) strategies for SDA configuration management Design REST API integration strategies with third-party applications and orchestration platforms Architect monitoring, assurance, and analytics policies using Catalyst Center capabilities Design and implement advanced automation workflows for SDA operations Architect integration with ITSM and IPAM platforms
Design network automation and orchestration strategies leveraging Catalyst Center APIs
Develop Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) strategies for SDA configuration management
Design REST API integration strategies with third-party applications and orchestration platforms
Architect monitoring, assurance, and analytics policies using Catalyst Center capabilities
Design and implement advanced automation workflows for SDA operations
Architect integration with ITSM and IPAM platforms
Wireless & Access Architecture Design enterprise wireless architectures integrated with SDA fabric Architect Catalyst 9000 series access points and controllers for SDA environments Design wireless segmentation and policy enforcement strategies Architect guest access, BYOD, and IoT connectivity within SDA framework Design roaming and mobility strategies for wireless devices Architect wireless security policies and encryption strategies Design wireless assurance and performance monitoring
Design enterprise wireless architectures integrated with SDA fabric
Architect Catalyst 9000 series access points and controllers for SDA environments
Design wireless segmentation and policy enforcement strategies
Architect guest access, BYOD, and IoT connectivity within SDA framework
Design roaming and mobility strategies for wireless devices
Architect wireless security policies and encryption strategies
Design wireless assurance and performance monitoring
Branch & Remote Access Architecture Design SD-WAN integration with SDA for branch connectivity Architect branch fabric edge nodes and connectivity strategies Design secure remote access solutions (VPN, zero-trust remote access) Architect branch segmentation and policy enforcement Design failover and redundancy strategies for branch connectivity Architect branch assurance and performance monitoring Design solutions for remote workers and distributed workforces
Design SD-WAN integration with SDA for branch connectivity
Architect branch fabric edge nodes and connectivity strategies
Design secure remote access solutions (VPN, zero-trust remote access)
Architect branch segmentation and policy enforcement
Design failover and redundancy strategies for branch connectivity
Architect branch assurance and performance monitoring
Design solutions for remote workers and distributed workforces
Data Center & Cloud Integration Design SDA solutions for data center and cloud integration scenarios Architect connectivity between SDA fabric and data center networks (ACI, traditional) Design hybrid cloud networking strategies leveraging SDA Architect cloud-based identity and access management integration Design solutions supporting containerized environments and Kubernetes Architect multi-cloud connectivity and policy enforcement
Design SDA solutions for data center and cloud integration scenarios
Architect connectivity between SDA fabric and data center networks (ACI, traditional)
Design hybrid cloud networking strategies leveraging SDA
Architect cloud-based identity and access management integration
Design solutions supporting containerized environments and Kubernetes
Architect multi-cloud connectivity and policy enforcement
Leadership & Strategic Influence Mentor senior network engineers and architects on SDA best practices and advanced concepts Lead architectural review boards and design governance processes Contribute to industry thought leadership through presentations, whitepapers, and technical publications Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies Establish network architecture standards and best practices across the organization Participate in vendor relationships and influence product roadmap discussions Drive continuous improvement and innovation in network architecture practices Build and maintain relationships with Cisco technical teams and partners
Mentor senior network engineers and architects on SDA best practices and advanced concepts
Lead architectural review boards and design governance processes
Contribute to industry thought leadership through presentations, whitepapers, and technical publications
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies
Establish network architecture standards and best practices across the organization
Participate in vendor relationships and influence product roadmap discussions
Drive continuous improvement and innovation in network architecture practices
Build and maintain relationships with Cisco technical teams and partners
Stakeholder Management & Communication Present architectural recommendations and technical findings to executive leadership Translate business requirements and security mandates into technical architecture Collaborate with security, infrastructure, application, and cloud teams Manage architectural reviews and provide technical guidance on design decisions Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences Participate in strategic planning and IT governance processes Conduct training and knowledge transfer sessions on SDA technologies
Present architectural recommendations and technical findings to executive leadership
Translate business requirements and security mandates into technical architecture
Collaborate with security, infrastructure, application, and cloud teams
Manage architectural reviews and provide technical guidance on design decisions
Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
Participate in strategic planning and IT governance processes
Conduct training and knowledge transfer sessions on SDA technologies
Be AmbITious: This opportunity is not just about what you do today but also about where you can go tomorrow. When you bring your hunger, heart, and harmony to Insight, your potential will be met with continuous opportunities to upskill, earn promotions, and elevate your career.
