Principal Network Architect

Join to apply for the Principal Network Architect role at Workday Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun‑drenched optimism and drive. Whether you’re building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too. About The Team Do you want to wake up each morning and look forward to going to work? You've found the right career opportunity Workday’s BT Cloud Engineering team is looking for a highly motivated technical lead to join our fun, innovative, and hardworking team. Working with an outstanding group of highly qualified IT professionals, you will be part of a special team that is building the cloud first approach for workmates. We are seeking a skilled and motivated hands‑on lead who can help BT continue to deliver secure services at scale. About The Role We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Network Engineer & Architect to lead the strategic development, design, and hands‑on implementation of our global network infrastructure. This role requires an individual who can operate at a senior architectural level, defining our network roadmap, while still possessing deep technical expertise and a strong desire to be hands‑on. Additional Job Duties Instrumental in evolving our Zero Trust architecture and pioneering advanced cloud networking solutions, leveraging state of the art solutions and extensive automation. Guide and mentor our network engineering teams and be responsible for driving consensus and managing expectations across diverse business and technical stakeholders. Own and define the long‑term, multi‑year network strategy and architecture, aligning it with executive business objectives, security mandates, and future technology trends. Architectural owner for our Zero Trust security model. This includes integrating and maximizing the capabilities of Zscaler (ZIA/ZPA), Palo Alto Networks Firewalls (including GlobalProtect), AWS Network Firewall to create an impenetrable security posture. Lead the design and integration of all major networking technologies across our enterprise, with a specific focus on complex, multi‑region cloud environments utilizing AWS Cloud WAN, VPCs, SD‑WAN. Maintain deep technical currency by remaining highly hands‑on—designing, prototyping, and deploying core architectural components and complex automation frameworks. Mandate, develop, and govern the use of automation for network provisioning, security policy deployment, and operations driving a true Infrastructure as Code (IaC) model Establish global network engineering standards, perform critical design reviews, and provide technical sign‑off for all major network changes and projects. Serve as the primary network domain expert in discussions with Executive Leadership, translating highly technical designs into clear business impact, risk, and financial justification. Drive consensus and secure investment for architectural transformation across Security, Finance, Application Development, and Cloud Operations teams through compelling presentations and strong technical advocacy. Function as a Principal Mentor for the entire Network Engineering and Architecture organization, elevating the team's technical capabilities, leading complex technical deep dives, and delegating execution while retaining strategic oversight. About You Basic Qualifications 12+ years of progressive enterprise experience within network engineering. 5+ years operating as a Principal Architect or equivalent role with global responsibility. 12+ years pioneering experience designing and implementing large‑scale Zero Trust architectures. 12+ years of expertise with the following security components: Zscaler (ZIA/ZPA): Architecting global ZTNA and Secure Web Gateway solutions. Palo Alto Networks: Expert with Firewalls (physical/virtual), Panorama, SD‑WAN and GlobalProtect. AWS Security: Deep knowledge of AWS Network Firewall and other native services Proven, large‑scale design and implementation experience with AWS Cloud WAN and advanced AWS networking. Expert‑level knowledge of F5 Big‑IP (LTM/GTM). Extensive architecture and deployment experience with Aruba ClearPass for Network Access Control (NAC) Significant experience with modern campus/wireless platforms, including Cisco and Juniper Mist. Expert proficiency in Python for network programming, API interaction, and security orchestration, alongside extensive experience leading Ansible automation projects. Other Qualifications Exceptional ability to influence without direct authority, manage high‑level stakeholder expectations. Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non‑technical audiences. Executive‑level strategic thinking combined with an expert‑level, hands‑on technical background across multiple network domains. Open to 50% flex‑hybrid reporting to Pleasanton campus. Workday Pay Transparency Statement The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role‑specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.Primary Location: USA.CA.PleasantonPrimary Location Base Pay Range: $207,000 USD - $310,500 USDAdditional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $174,800 USD - $310,500 USD Our Approach to Flexible Work With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in‑person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in‑office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you’ll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote “home office” roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter. Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Are you being referred to one of our roles? If so, ask your connection at Workday about our Employee Referral process At Workday, we value our candidates’ privacy and data security. Workday will never ask candidates to apply to jobs through websites that are not Workday Careers. Please be aware of sites that may ask for you to input your data in connection with a job posting that appears to be from Workday but is not. In addition, Workday will never ask candidates to pay a recruiting fee, or pay for consulting or coaching services, in order to apply for a job at Workday. #J-18808-Ljbffr