Senior Network Engineer/Architect – Campus, Data Center & Security
About the role
Who We Are
Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.
What We Offer
Location:
Toronto,CAN
You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.
Summary
The Senior Network Engineer/Architect is a hands‑on technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, and operating secure, resilient, and scalable enterprise network infrastructure across campus, data center, cloud, manufacturing, OT, and Private 5G environments. This role blends architecture, deep engineering expertise, automation, and operational excellence while partnering closely with security, cloud, and application teams
Job Description
Applied's IT organization has a long reputation of being a great place to work. The IT team has been recognized as one of Computerworld's 100 Best Places to Work in IT. In addition, numerous Applied IT leaders have been honored as a CIO Magazine's Ones to Watch or Computerworld Premier 100 IT leaders.
We are seeking a Senior Network Engineer/Architect with deep expertise across WAN, LAN, Datacenter, SD‑WAN, Private 5G, and Sensor/IIoT connectivity to design, implement, and operate secure, resilient, and scalable enterprise network infrastructure.
This role is hands‑on and highly technical, with responsibility for architecture, engineering, lifecycle management, automation, and operational excellence across campus, data center, manufacturing, OT, R&D, and cloud‑connected environments.
The Senior Network Engineer/Architect partners closely with security, cloud, OT, and application teams to deliver reliable connectivity aligned with business priorities.
Core Competencies
- Interprets internal/external business issues and recommends best practices; solves complex problems with a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions. Works independently with guidance in only the most complex situations.
- Requires specialized depth of expertise in networking and security technologies.
- Proven design/engineering excellence across LAN, WAN, Data Center, SD‑WAN, NAC, WAN Optimization, Wireless, Firewalls, and advanced networking technologies (10+ years strongly preferred).
- Superior knowledge, skills, and experience with:
- Arista and Cisco Data Center switches (Leaf‑Spine; L2/L3 designs)
- Cisco switching/routing platforms and protocols
- Aruba products (campus switching and orchestration)
- SDWAN technologies (eg: Arista Velocloud)
- Palo Alto firewalls and advanced network security solutions
- Excellent knowledge/experience with networking technologies: Ethernet, ATM, MPLS, OSPF, IPsec, VLANs, HSRP, PPP, EIGRP, BGP, QoS, Multicast, ACLs, VPNs
- Experience using network management tools for performance tuning, troubleshooting, and capacity planning
- Working knowledge of security technologies and concepts
- Knowledge of voice infrastructure: IP Telephony, Telepresence
- Knowledge of scripting/automation tools and exposure to deploying automation toolsets for network & security
- Strong communication, influencing, stakeholder management, and technical leadership skills
Job Responsibilities
1) Network Engineering & Architecture
- Design, implement, and support enterprise WAN, LAN, Data Center, WLAN, SD‑WAN, firewall, and Private 5G solutions.
- Lead detailed network designs for campus, data center, manufacturing, OT, and R&D environments.
- Develop and maintain High‑Level Design (HLD), Low‑Level Design (LLD), traffic flows, implementation guides, and standards‑based documentation.
- Ensure solutions meet requirements for scalability, resilience, performance, and security.
- Contribute to reference architectures and standardized network patterns.
2) LAN & WLAN Engineering
- Design and deploy campus/building LANs (switching, VLANs, routing, redundancy models).
- Engineer enterprise Wi‑Fi solutions: RF design, capacity planning, performance optimization.
- Troubleshoot complex wired/wireless issues using packet captures, telemetry, and logs.
- Support NAC, 802.1X, and identity‑based access integrations.
3) WAN / SD‑WAN Engineering
- Engineer and operate global WAN and SD‑WAN deployments (internet, MPLS, DIA, cloud connectivity).
- Optimize routing, traffic steering, QoS, and application performance.
- Support segmentation, redundancy, failover, and high‑availability designs.
- Work with service providers and vendors on circuit provisioning, troubleshooting, and optimization.
- Strong SD‑WAN / Velocloud expertise is highly desired.
4) OT & 5G Network Engineering
- Design, implement, and support OT, 5G and sensor network connectivity for manufacturing, industrial, and R&D environments.
- Implement segmentation and security controls to isolate OT systems, sensor networks, and IT workloads while enabling controlled data exchange.
- Collaborate with OT/manufacturing/security teams to align network design with safety, production continuity, and compliance requirements.
- Integrate Private 5G with existing LAN/WLAN/SD‑WAN/WAN for seamless end‑to‑end connectivity.
- Engineer secure, scalable connectivity for PLCs, sensors (IIoT), robots, vision systems, IoT platforms, and industrial devices.
- Support deterministic/high‑availability designs to meet low latency, high reliability, and real‑time traffic requirements.
5) Network Security Integration (Firewall / VPN / ZTNA)
- Configure and support firewalls, VPNs, ZTNA, and secure connectivity in partnership with security teams.
- Implement segmentation, access controls, and secure routing architectures.
- Participate in firewall policy design reviews and traffic flow validation.
- Ensure designs align with Zero Trust and defense‑in‑depth principles.
- Actively contribute to periodic rule reviews, risk reduction, and compliance alignment (e.g., NIST/CIS).
6) Operations, Troubleshooting & Incident Escalation Support
- Act as a senior technical escalation point for complex network incidents/outages across the globe.
- Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Support changes, upgrades, and maintenance with minimal disruption.
- Participate in on‑call or escalation rotations as required.
- Work closely with operations teams to ensure smooth transition from engineering to sustaining operations.
7) Automation, Standards & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and maintain network standards, templates, and configuration baselines.
- Drive automation using scripting and infrastructure‑as‑code approaches where applicable.
- Reduce operational debt through simplification, standardization, and lifecycle management.
- Track and improve network performance, availability, and operational metrics.
8) Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Network Security, Cloud, OT, Application, and Infrastructure teams.
- Support project planning, technical assessments, implementation timelines, and design reviews.
- Clearly communicate technical issues, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
9) Financials & Project Management
- Own end‑to‑end budgeting and financial governance for network products, including annual OPEX/CAPEX planning and funding approvals.
- Manage renewals and vendor contracts; drive cost optimization and negotiate savings across platforms/services.
- Lead project intake cost modeling, including resource costing, design/engineering estimates, and financial impact assessments.
- Perform analytical, technical, and cost analysis to support planning, design, installation, and ongoing administration of enterprise networks.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s or Diploma degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience
- 8–12+ years in enterprise network engineering (10+ years preferred).
- Strong hands‑on experience with:
- WAN, SD‑WAN, LAN, WLAN (preferred/strongly desired)
- Manufacturing/OT networks or large campus environments
- Hybrid environments with public cloud connectivity (Azure and/or AWS)
- Firewalls, VPN / ZTNA
- Private 5G and Sensors / IIoT connectivity
Skills (Technical)
- WAN/SD‑WAN: BGP, OSPF, MPLS, DIA, cloud interconnects, traffic steering, QoS
- LAN/WLAN: Switching, VLANs, redundancy models, RF design, wireless troubleshooting
- Security: Firewalls, VPN, segmentation, NAC/802.1X, policy validation
- Data Center: Leaf‑Spine L2/L3 designs; Arista/Cisco DC networking
- Monitoring/Telemetry/Troubleshooting tools; capacity planning
- High availability, redundancy, performance optimization
- Automation exposure: scripting and/or IaC concepts
Certifications
Mandatory:
- CCIE / CCNP / CCDP (Routing & Switching, Security, Data Center, or Service Provider)
Preferred:
- Aruba or SDWAN Certifications
- Azure certification (networking a plus)
- Palo Alto certification (PCNSE/PCNSA a plus)
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular
Travel:
Relocation Eligible:
No
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.