{"id":1163019,"url":"https://alion.io/job/geico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering","title":"Distinguished Engineer – Data Center Network Architecture & Engineering","company":{"id":2667051,"name":"GEICO","domain":"geico.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/geico-3","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":78,"open_postings":30,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.867,"repost_share":0.033,"time_to_fill_p50_days":25,"computed_at":"2026-10-19T05:45:15Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Palo Alto, United States","Richardson, United States","Renton, United States","United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":140000,"max":300000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":300000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":15,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"BGP","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Go","optional":false},{"name":"Java","optional":false},{"name":"Kubernetes","optional":false},{"name":"Layer 2","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"MPLS","optional":false},{"name":"OpenStack","optional":false},{"name":"OSPF","optional":false},{"name":"Platform Engineering","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Rust","optional":false},{"name":"Zero Trust","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-28T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-28","last_verified_at":"2026-10-18T23:44:30Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":83,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":83},"description":"Why Join GEICO?\nAt GEICO, we offer a rewarding career where your ambitions are met with endless possibilities.\nEvery day we honor our iconic brand by offering quality coverage to millions of customers and being there when they need us most. We thrive on relentless innovation to exceed our customers' expectations while making a real impact on local communities nationwide.\nFounded in 1936, GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. When you join our company, we want you to feel valued, supported, and proud to work here. That's why we offer the GEICO Pledge: Great Company, Great Culture, Great Rewards, and Great Careers.\nDistinguished Engineer - Data Center Network Architecture & Engineering\nPosition Summary\nGEICO is seeking a Distinguished Engineer to define and lead the next generation of data center networking that powers our Private Cloud, Platform Engineering, AI/ML, and enterprise application ecosystems. This role will serve as the highest level of technical authority for network architecture, software-defined networking, network automation, and cloud connectivity across GEICO's on-premises and hybrid cloud environments.\nAs a Distinguished Engineer, you willbe responsible forarchitecting hyperscale-inspired network platforms that deliver the reliability, scalability, security, and operational simplicityrequiredfor modern cloud infrastructure. You will drive the transformation from traditional networking to a fully software-defined, automated, API-driven platformleveragingopen networking,SmartNICs, programmable data planes, network virtualization, and infrastructure-as-code.\nThis role requires deepexpertiseacross routing and switching, data center fabrics, cloud networking, network operating systems, automation frameworks, and distributed systems. You will influence architecture decisions across Infrastructure, Security, Platform Engineering, and Cloud organizations while mentoring senior engineers and helping shape GEICO's long-term technology strategy.\nPosition Description\nAs a Distinguished Engineer, you willestablishthe technical vision and engineering strategy for GEICO's data center networking ecosystem, supporting our OpenStack-based Private Cloud, Kubernetes platforms, enterprise applications, AI/ML infrastructure, and hybrid cloud environments.\nYou will lead the architecture and development of highly scalable Layer 3 Clos fabrics, software-defined networking platforms, cloud networking services, and network automation frameworks that enable self-service infrastructure at enterprise scale. You will work closely with cloud,compute, storage, security, and platform engineering teams to build a unified infrastructure architecture focused on resilience, automation, observability, and developer productivity.\nThe ideal candidate combines deep networkingexpertisewith strong software engineering skills and a proventrack recorddesigning and operating cloud-scale network platforms.\nPosition Responsibilities\nArchitecture & Strategy\nDefine the long-term architectural vision for GEICO's data center network infrastructure.\n\nEstablish standards and reference architectures for data center fabrics, cloud networking, hybrid connectivity, and network security.\n\nDrive technical roadmaps for network modernization, automation, and software-defined infrastructure initiatives.\n\nEvaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to guide strategic investments and platform evolution.\n\nData Center Networking\nDesign and evolve large-scale data center network architectures supporting virtualization, container platforms, bare metal infrastructure, and cloud-native applications.\n\nArchitecthighly availablenetwork services supporting multi-site and multi-region deployments.\n\nDefine resiliency, redundancy, and disaster recovery strategies for mission-critical infrastructure.\n\nSoftware-Defined Networking & Automation\nLead the design and implementation of software-defined networking capabilities across private cloud and hybrid cloud environments.\n\nBuild automated network provisioning and lifecycle management platformsutilizingAPIs, Infrastructure-as-Code, andGitOpsmethodologies.\n\nDevelop frameworks for automated network validation, configuration management, compliance enforcement, and operational remediation.\n\nDriveadoptionof programmable networking usingSmartNICs, DPUs, and open hardware abstraction technologies.\n\nCloud & Platform Integration\nPartner with OpenStack, Kubernetes, Storage, and Platform Engineering teams to deliver integrated cloud networking solutions.\n\nArchitect networking solutions supporting Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), AI/ML platforms, and emerging cloud services.\n\nDefine connectivity patterns between on-premises infrastructure and public cloud providers.\n\nEnable secure, scalable multi-tenant networking capabilities across cloud platforms.\n\nPerformance, Security & Reliability\nLead network performance engineering initiatives to improve throughput, latency, availability, and operational efficiency.\n\nDefine observabilitystandardsleveragingtelemetry, analytics, monitoring, and automated diagnostics.\n\nPartner with cybersecurity teams to implement Zero Trust architectures, segmentation strategies, and cloud-native security controls.\n\nDrive continuous improvement through operational excellence, automation, and resilience engineering.\n\nTechnical Leadership\nServe as the organization's most senior technical authority for network architecture and design.\n\nMentor Principal, Senior Staff, and Staff Engineers across multiple organizations.\n\nLead architecture reviews, technical design decisions, and engineering strategy discussions.\n\nBuild strong partnerships across Infrastructure, Security, Cloud, and Engineering leadership teams.\n\nMinimum Qualifications\nTechnical Expertise\nDeepexpertisein modern data center networking architectures and large-scale network design.\n\nAdvanced understanding of Layer 2/Layer 3 protocols including:\n\nBGP\n\nEVPN\n\nVXLAN\n\nECMP\n\nMPLS\n\nOSPF\n\nExperience designing and operating leaf-spine and Clos network fabrics.\n\nStrong understanding of software-defined networking architectures and network virtualization technologies.\n\nCloud & Infrastructure\nExperience designing networking solutions for private, hybrid, and public cloud environments.\n\nUnderstanding ofKubernetes networking, container networking, and cloud-native networking models.\n\nFamiliarity with OpenStack networking services including Neutron and related networking components.\n\nExperience supporting large-scalevirtualized and bare metal environments.\n\nSoftware Engineering\nStrong software development skills in one or more of the following:\n\nGo\n\nPython\n\nC/C++\n\nRust\n\nJava\n\nExperience building automation platforms, APIs, and infrastructure services.\n\nStrong knowledge of Linux system architecture and distributed systems.\n\nOperational Excellence\nProven ability to troubleshoot complex network performance, availability, and scaling challenges.\n\nStrong understanding of observability, telemetry, monitoring, and incident response practices.\n\nExcellent analytical and systems-thinking capabilities.\n\nLeadership\nDemonstrated ability to influence technical direction across multiple engineering organizations.\n\nExceptional communication and collaboration skills.\n\nProventrack recordmentoring senior technical talent and driving organization-wide engineering initiatives.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n15+ years of networking, infrastructure, or cloud engineering experience.\n\n10+ years designing enterprise or hyperscale network architectures.\n\nExperience with open networking technologies and disaggregated network operating systems.\n\nExperience withSmartNICs, DPUs, programmable switches, and hardware acceleration technologies.\n\nFamiliarity with Open Compute Project (OCP) networking technologies and Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI).\n\nExperience with large-scale cloud providers or cloud service architectures.\n\nExperience supporting AI/ML, GPU, or high-performance computing networking environments.\n\nExperience implementing Infrastructure-as-Code andGitOpsoperating models.\n\nKnowledge of Zero Trust networking and network security architectures.\n\nEducation\nBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field; or equivalent practical experience.\n\nAdvanced degree or relevant industrycertificationspreferred.\n\nWhy This Role Matters\nThis Distinguished Engineer will define the future of networking at GEICO. Through software-defined infrastructure, cloud-native networking, automation, and modern architecture patterns, this leader will build the foundational network platform that powers GEICO's private cloud, AI initiatives, digital products, and enterprise technology ecosystem for the next decade.\nAnnual Salary\n$140,000.00 - $300,000.00The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/ annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.\nGEICO will consider sponsoring a new qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.The GEICO Pledge:\nGreat Company: Protecting customers through life’s twists and turns with innovation and integrity.\nGreat Careers: Personalized development programs, mentorship, and certification assistance.\nGreat Culture: Inclusive and collaborative culture rooted in shared success.\nGreat Rewards: Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility to support your well-being and future.\nThe equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.\nGEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.","description_format":"text","description_chars":11011,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":15,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Enterprise Networks","Property & Casualty Insurance"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-24T00:49:50Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":11,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.387,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":83,"expected_fill_days":25,"reasons":["conf:6","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-19T05:45:15Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":300000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/geico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/geico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-19T11:43:53Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":8265,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-20T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":2667051},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=2667051"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fgeico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fgeico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fgeico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/geico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fgeico-distinguished-engineer-data-center-network-architecture-engineering"}]}