Lead Network Engineer

Description Lead Network Engineer Let’s be unstoppable together! At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives. We have a global commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as we believe in the undeniable strength that diversity brings to our business, employees, clients, and communities (with us you can always bring your full self to work). Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Learn more at www.circana.com . Position Summary: We are seeking a Lead Network Engineer with deep expertise in Azure and cloud-native networking , along with strong proficiency in traditional enterprise networking technologies including Palo Alto firewalls , F5 LTM , and Cisco-based infrastructure . This role will drive cloud network architecture, hybrid connectivity, and security best practices across our Azure environment, while also serving as a senior-level engineer for core datacenter and WAN infrastructure. Key Responsibilities: Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Azure networking , including VNet architecture , NSGs , Azure Firewall , Private Link , ExpressRoute , and VPN Gateways . Design and implement scalable hybrid cloud network solutions connecting Azure workloads to on-premises environments using BGP , ExpressRoute , DMVPN , and SD-WAN technologies. Ensure security and compliance through network segmentation, monitoring, and policy enforcement using Palo Alto Prisma Access , Panorama , and NGFWs . Manage and optimize F5 LTM appliances for traffic distribution, SSL offloading, and secure application delivery. Support core datacenter switching infrastructure based on Cisco NX-OS and layer 3 routing protocols including OSPF and BGP . Lead network design reviews, capacity planning, and architecture decisions for cloud-first and hybrid deployments. Collaborate with DevOps, security, and application teams to align network and security controls with modern cloud-native architectures. Develop Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions for repeatable Azure network deployments using Terraform , ARM templates , or Bicep . Provide Tier 3/4 escalation support for critical cloud and hybrid networking issues. Maintain comprehensive documentation of network architecture, configurations, and standard operating procedures. Required Qualifications: 8+ years in network engineering roles, with at least 3+ years focused on Azure or cloud networking . Advanced hands-on experience in: Azure VNet , NSG/UDR , Azure Firewall , VPN/ExpressRoute , Hub-Spoke Topologies Hybrid networking and site-to-site connectivity with BGP/DMVPN Palo Alto Firewalls , Prisma Access , and Panorama F5 LTM administration and iRule development Cisco routing/switching , especially NX-OS , BGP , and OSPF Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, load balancing, firewall security, and high availability design. Experience with IaC tools and automation (Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell). Cloud networking exposure in AWS or GCP is a bonus but not required. Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field. Preferred Certifications (one or more): Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate PCNSE – Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer F5-CA – F5 Certified Administrator CCNP/CCIE (Enterprise or Security) Soft Skills: Excellent analytical and troubleshooting capabilities. Clear communicator with the ability to translate technical concepts to non-technical teams. Strong organizational and project leadership skills. Comfortable in both strategic planning and hands-on engineering work. Circana Behaviors: Beyond technical skills, experience, and role-specific attributes, these shared behaviors are fundamental to our culture and success. We seek individuals who consistently demonstrate and champion these behaviors in their daily work: Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions. Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action. Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices. Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers. Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement. Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect, and integrity. Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone. Location: This position can be located in the following area(s): Bangalore/ Pune, India An offer of employment may be conditional upon successful completion of a background check in accordance with local legislation and our candidate privacy notice. Your current employer will not be contacted without your consent. Qualifications Skills Behaviors : Motivations : Education Experience Licenses & Certifications http://www.circana.com