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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Network Engineer - Deployments - **Company:** NSCALE, LLC - **Location:** Houston, TX, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $220,000.0 - $280,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Border Gateway Protocol, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Data Centers, InfiniBand, IPv4, IPv6, Multi-protocol Systems, Python (Programming Language), Network Troubleshooting, Netconf, Network Architecture, Network Model, Routing, Network Protocols, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), TCP/IP, Scripting, Computer Networking Systems, Cloud Platform System, Computer Network Technologies, Software Troubleshooting, Data Center Networking, Information Technology, Open Network Automation Platform - **Published:** August 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f5b7c9d78945d266 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience) * 10+ years of experience designing and operating large-scale network infrastructure in cloud, hyperscale, ISP, or enterprise environments * Deep expertise in network architecture, operations, and production support at scale * Expert-level understanding of networking protocols and technologies, including BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, TCP/IP, and IPv4/IPv6 * Proven experience architecting and operating mission-critical network infrastructure * Demonstrated technical leadership across complex, cross-functional engineering initiatives * Strong troubleshooting, systems-thinking, and problem-solving skills * Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction across organizations * Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50%, including travel to data centers and other infrastructure sites * Willingness to participate in on-call rotations supporting production infrastructure Preferred Qualifications * Experience with high-performance networking technologies such as InfiniBand and RoCE * Deep knowledge of VXLAN, EVPN, and modern data center networking architectures * Experience with network automation and scripting using Python or similar technologies * Familiarity with network observability, telemetry, and monitoring platforms * Experience with network modeling and programmability frameworks such as YANG, OpenConfig, and NETCONF * Experience with cloud networking and hybrid infrastructure environments * Familiarity with GPU cluster networking and AI/HPC infrastructure environments * Experience designing low-latency, highly resilient networking systems at hyperscale, * A highly technical networking leader who can define architecture and strategy for complex infrastructure environments * A systems thinker who understands the interaction between networking, compute, storage, and distributed applications * Someone who takes ownership of critical infrastructure systems and proactively drives continuous improvement * A pragmatic engineer who balances reliability, scalability, performance, and operational simplicity * A mentor and technical multiplier who raises the engineering bar across teams * A collaborative leader capable of influencing cross-functional organizations and driving alignment on key technical decisions ## Description We are seeking a Principal Network Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and operation of high-performance network infrastructure across large-scale data center and cloud environments. This is a highly strategic technical leadership role focused on defining network architecture, driving long-term infrastructure direction, and ensuring the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of mission-critical networking systems at significant scale. You will serve as a senior technical authority across networking domains, partnering closely with infrastructure, platform, systems, and hardware teams to solve complex networking challenges and influence the future evolution of our infrastructure platforms. As a Principal Engineer, you will establish engineering standards, guide cross-functional technical strategy, mentor senior engineers, and lead critical architectural decisions across the organization. This role requires approximately 50% travel to data centers, offices, partner locations, and other sites based on business and project needs. What You'll Do * Lead the architecture, design, deployment, and operation of large-scale network infrastructure across data center and cloud environments * Define and drive technical strategy for core networking systems and infrastructure platforms * Own architectural decisions across routing, switching, transport, and overlay networking technologies (e.g., VXLAN, EVPN) * Design highly available, scalable, and resilient network systems supporting mission-critical services * Diagnose and resolve complex, cross-layer networking issues spanning hardware, software, systems, and infrastructure domains * Drive network automation, observability, and operational tooling initiatives to improve reliability and efficiency * Establish and evolve network architecture standards, operational best practices, and engineering processes * Partner cross-functionally with platform, systems, hardware, and operations teams to deliver end-to-end infrastructure solutions * Lead technical reviews and guide long-term network infrastructure roadmap planning * Mentor senior and staff-level engineers while elevating technical standards across the organization * Drive operational excellence and reliability initiatives, including continuous improvement of production support processes * Travel approximately 50% to support infrastructure deployments, site assessments, technical reviews, incident response, and collaboration with internal and external partners ## Related Videos - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [An Applied Introduction to eBPF with Go](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1075-an-applied-introduction-to-ebpf-with-go) - [IoT: The road to sustainability](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/557-iot-the-road-to-sustainability) - [IP Authentication: A Tale of Performance Pitfalls and Challenges in Prod](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1413-ip-authentication-a-tale-of-performance-pitfalls-and-challenges-in-prod) - [The Gashlycrumb Tinies of AI Networking You Must Know (or Languish!)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2067-the-gashlycrumb-tinies-of-ai-networking-you-must-know-or-languish) - [Turning Container security up to 11 with Capabilities](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/718-turning-container-security-up-to-11-with-capabilities) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [Top 6 Hackathons for Developers in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/263-top-6-hackathons-for-developers-in-2023)