Lead Network Architect

Job Title:Lead Network Architect

Job Type: Contract (1 Year )

Location:Dubai (On-site)

Role Summary:

We are seeking a senior Network Architecture Leader to define, own, and continuously improve the end-to-end target network architecture that enables business growth and a high-quality user and customer experience.This is a strategy, design and design-authority position (not hands-on delivery).

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Must Have

• You should have architecture-level experience across most of the following (not necessarily daily operations today, but enough depth to design, challenge, and standardize):
• Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi
• Cisco Catalyst switching
• Cisco SD-WAN
• Cisco ISE (NAC/RADIUS integration patterns and scale considerations)
• Fortinet /Cisco firewalls
• SASE solutions at scale (design remediation operating model with Security)
• Typically, 10 years in enterprise networking, plus 5 years architecture ownership in large distributed environments (retail/logistics a plus).
• Proven ability to define target architectures that scale across hundreds of sites and multiple countries.
• Strong documentation discipline (clear HLD/LLD, standards, decision records, executive-ready packs).
• Ability to influence and align multiple teams (Security, Ops, Engineering, PMO) and drive decisions.
• Practical understanding of automation and how to govern it (Terraform exposure required).

Nice to Have

• Experience running architecture review boards / design authorities (beyond presenting into forums).
• Cloud networking depth (Azure/AWS/GCP connectivity patterns, private connectivity, hub-and-spoke).
• Strong observability mindset (telemetry/logging standards, SLOs for network services).
• Certifications (CCNP/CCIE, vendor SD-WAN/SASE/Fortinet), optional.