Principal Network Engineer - CCIE / Multicasting

NO SPONSORSHIP - NO OPTPrincipal Network EngineerSALARY: $170K - $254K PLUS 15% BONUSLOCATION: CHICAGO, ILHybrid 4 days onsite, 1 day remoteExpert-level, highly prefer fin tech experience. On prem and cloud AWS, CCIE or on way, preferred. BGP, OSPF MPLS multicast, hybrid cloud connectivity, python-based network automation.Success in this role requires both deep technical expertise and strong communication skills. The Principal Engineer must be able to translate complex architectural decisions, trade-offs, and risks into clear, actionable insights for both engineering teams and senior leadership. The ideal candidate holds (or is actively pursuing) a CCIE certification, writes production-quality Python, and is comfortable working with modern observability platforms such as Prometheus and Grafana to drive data-informed engineering decisions.The ideal candidate has:10+ years of hands-on network engineering experience in mission-critical, low-latency environments, with a strong track record operating and evolving high-performance network infrastructureDeep expertise in low-latency and deterministic network design, including practical experience analyzing latency, jitter, and end-to-end traffic behavior in production environmentsAdvanced knowledge of routing protocols at scale, including BGP, OSPF, MPLS, and multicast (PIM-SM/SSM), with proven experience designing resilient, highly available global networksStrong understanding of network hardware and platform capabilities across major vendors, with the ability to evaluate limitations and optimize design decisions through hands-on research and lab validationExperience designing and supporting hybrid cloud connectivity, including AWS networking constructs such as Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPCs, and route integrationProven experience building and maintaining Python-based network automation, including API-driven and SSH-based approaches for configuration management, testing, and operational efficiencyWorking knowledge of observability and telemetry concepts, with exposure to platforms such as Prometheus, Grafana, or similar tools for network visibility and performance analysisStrong background in leading technical research, proof-of-concept validation, and pre-implementation design for large-scale network initiativesSolid understanding of network security fundamentals, including segmentation, access control, and zero-trust principles as they apply to network designExperience operating in fast-paced, highly dynamic environments, with the ability to adapt to