Zscaler Network Architect

Zscaler Network Architect, Pharma Company, Livingston, 205k plus bonus, Hybrid Model3 days on siteUS CITIZEN OR GREEN CARD ONLYNO C2C, NO CORP TO CORPMUST HAVE STRONG SD WAN, Zscaler, and Fortinet/FortigateSTRONG TECHNICAL ROLEABSOLUTELY NO THIRD PARTIES FOR THIS ROLEReporting to the Americas Infrastructure Lead & Global Network Lead, this role will ensure high availability, reliability, and optimization of the network and adjacent infrastructure components that support business‑critical operations. The individual will collaborate with U.S. Regional Leads, Global Functional Lead, Global Infrastructure teams, IT Security, and site leadership to align operations with defined network standards, global architectures, Zero Trust principles, and compliance frameworks. The role will include oversight of onsite infrastructure resources, network vendors, and managed service partners, with a focus on operational excellence, security, and business continuity.Lead day‑to‑day operations of Americas network environment, including SD‑WAN architecture, LAN/WAN, Wi‑Fi, remote access, Zscaler ZIA/ZPA, and AWS cloud network connectivity (VPCs, Transit Gateway, routing, and segmentation).Ensure high availability, reliability, and performance of critical network services supporting research, manufacturing, labs, corporate offices, commercial operations, and cloud workloads.Oversee incident, problem, and request management for all network‑related issues, ensuring rapid remediation and adherence to SLA expectations.Implement proactive monitoring, telemetry, and performance optimization using tools such as ThousandEyes, SolarWinds, Zscaler analytics, and CloudWatch.Maintain standardized network configurations, ensuring adherence to global network architecture, Zero Trust, segmentation, and firewall policies.Lead annual and multi‑year regional network budget planning, ensuring forecasting accuracy and financial alignment to strategic priorities.Manage ongoing operational spend, licensing, carrier contracts, and cloud networking costs to ensure financial stewardship across the Americas region.Experience Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or related discipline.The candidate must have a minimum of 10+ years of experience leading network engineering and operations teams in a complex, multi‑site enterprise environmentDeep expertise in SD‑WAN, LAN/WAN, Wi‑Fi, firewalls, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, cloud networking, and hybrid network design.Requires deep, practical experience with cloud networking in AWS and Azure, including VPC/VNet design, routing, security controls, and hybrid connectivity models.Experience with Zscaler ZIA/ZPA, Zero Trust access models, and secure internet egress architectures.Strong understanding of network security, segmentation, identity‑based access controls, and cybersecurity integration.Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage vendor partnerships.Strong troubleshooting, stakeholder communication, and operational leadership skills.Familiarity with regulated environments and audit requirements.