Technical Solutions Architect (Cisco NSO)

About the role

In this role, you will lead the architecture and delivery of enterprise network automation capabilities for a large-scale transformation programs. At SoftServe, you will work with clients, platform architects, engineering, and operations teams to translate business objectives into scalable, secure, and maintainable automation solutions. You will apply service provider and telecommunications architecture expertise to align automation with carrier-grade availability, multi-domain service delivery, and data center networking requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end solution architecture for Cisco NSO-based service provider, telecom, data center, and infrastructure automation, from discovery and requirements through design, implementation governance, and operational handover.
• To take ownership of translating clients’ business objectives, technology landscapes and networking infrastructure into SP Transformation programs and enterprise architectures
• Architect reusable NSO service packages, YANG service models, workflows, templates, and orchestration patterns that support standardized, idempotent infrastructure provisioning.
• Design integrations between Cisco NSO and Cloud Management Platform (e.g. Red Hat), and enterprise IT systems, defining API contracts, data flows, error handling, and ownership boundaries.
• Own the orchestration architecture across Cisco ACI (APIC/NDO), VMware vCenter, Cisco FMC, F5 BIG-IP, and core routing and switching infrastructure. Ensure integration patterns account for data center fabric design and connectivity to service provider network domains.
• Select and govern the use of Python, YANG, REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and relevant automation frameworks, ensuring extensibility, interoperability, and maintainability.
• Translate complex Layer 2/Layer 3, VLAN, VRF, routing, ACL, NAT, firewall, and load-balancing requirements into consistent automated service designs. Incorporate service provider concepts such as MPLS, BGP, EVPN/VXLAN, and multi-tenant service segmentation where applicable.
• Define architectural standards for source control, CI/CD, automated testing, validation, configuration drift management, secrets handling, and Infrastructure as Code.
• Lead technical design reviews, proof-of-concepts, integration testing strategy, troubleshooting of cross-platform issues, and mitigation of architecture and delivery risks.
• Collaborate with client stakeholders, cloud/platform teams, delivery leaders, and vendors to align technical roadmaps, dependencies, estimates, and implementation priorities.
• Produce reference architectures, solution design documents, interface specifications, operational runbooks, and technical decision records; mentor engineers and deliver knowledge transfer.

Requirements

• 7+ years of relevant network engineering, infrastructure automation, or telecommunications experience, including 4+ years of hands-on Cisco NSO implementation and demonstrated ownership of solution or technical architecture.
• Expert-level understanding of Cisco NSO architecture, installation, high availability, service package development, service lifecycle, and model-driven orchestration.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, YANG data modeling, REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and network automation design patterns.
• Proven ability to design enterprise-scale, resilient, secure, and supportable automation architectures, including integration contracts, failure handling, testing, and operational considerations.
• Strong experience integrating network, security, virtualization, and infrastructure management systems, including Cisco ACI (APIC or NDO), VMware vCenter, Cisco FMC, and F5 BIG-IP. Experience with carrier-grade operational environments and complex multi-vendor network domains is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience working with telecommunications operators or network service providers, with a strong grasp of service provider architectures, IP/MPLS networks, BGP, VPN services, network segmentation, service assurance, and carrier-grade design principles.
• Deep understanding of data center networking architectures, including leaf-spine fabrics, Cisco ACI, EVPN/VXLAN, routing, switching, VLANs, VRFs, ACLs, NAT, Layer 2/Layer 3 services, and data center interconnect.
• Experience defining technical specifications, architecture diagrams, reference designs, implementation roadmaps, and engineering standards. Ability to map telecom and service provider reference architectures into scalable orchestration blueprints.
• Ability to lead architecture workshops, assess trade-offs, guide engineering teams, and communicate technical decisions to client and delivery stakeholders.
• Practical experience with Git, collaborative development, automated testing, CI/CD, and Infrastructure as Code or DevOps practices.
• Familiarity with Red Hat OpenShift, Ansible, Red Hat-based cloud management platforms, and hybrid cloud / SDDC operating models.
• Cisco DevNet, CCNP, CCIE, Cisco NSO, or comparable networking, automation, or architecture certifications are an advantage.

SoftServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, and other protected characteristics under applicable law.