Senior Principal Cloud Network Architect

pany where we are changing the way we use technology to support our customers, dealers, and business.

Responsibilities

About the Role:

The Senior Principal Cloud Network Architect is a strategic and technical leadership position, responsible for driving the design, implementation, and governance of GM Financial's global network infrastructure. This role integrates enterprise vision with hands-on architecture to ensure a highly available, secure, and scalable network backbone that supports modern cloud and hybrid workloads. You will serve as a key influencer across business units, contributing technical depth, cross-functional leadership, and a strong architectural mindset to shape the future of networking at GM Financial.

In this role, you will:

Strategic Vision & Architecture:

• Architect highly scalable, distributed, and secure network solutions across data center, hybrid cloud (AWS and Azure), and edge environments.

• Develop and execute a forward-looking network strategy aligned with enterprise IT and business goals.

• Drive modernization through adoption of automation, cloud-native technologies, and software-defined networking (SDN).

• Evaluate emerging technologies and incorporate them into the infrastructure roadmap.

Cloud Networking Expertise

• Required hands-on experience in AWS and Azure networking: VPCs, VNets, Transit Gateway, ExpressRoute, VPNs, network security groups, route tables, cloud-native firewalls and load balancers.

• Design secure hybrid cloud connectivity and cloud-first network topologies.

• Contribute to cloud governance and workload placement strategies from a networking perspective.

Network Security Expertise

• Design and manage secure network environments, incorporating zero-trust principles and layered defense strategies.

Innovation & Technical Depth:

• Own high-impact network innovation initiatives, from concept to implementation.

• Prototype and validate solutions using modern tooling and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, CI/CD pipelines).

• Influence the technical roadmap by identifying opportunities for performance, reliability, and automation gains.

• Firewalls (cloud-native and on-premise)

• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)

• Web Application Firewalls (WAF)

• Network Access Control (NAC)

• Load Balancers (F5, Azure/AWS native, etc.)

• DDoS protection, segmentation, and encryption in transit

• Collaborate closely with cybersecurity teams to ensure alignment with enterprise security strategy.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards related to infrastructure security.

Enterprise Leadership & Influence

• Lead architectural alignment across departments and global infrastructure teams.

• Collaborate with enterprise architects, product owners, and executives to guide technology decisions.

• Act as a mentor, thought leader, and technical advisor, promoting best practices across the organization.

• Operational Excellence

• Lead proactive network performance management, monitoring, and observability efforts.

• Implement SLAs, KPIs, and error budgets in partnership with SRE and platform teams.

• Drive agility through iterative, measurable improvements in availability, scalability, and latency.

• Mentorship & Community Engagement: Serve as a mentor and coach across technical teams. Foster a strong internal knowledge-sharing culture and support technical community development.

Governance & Risk Management

• Define architectural standards, baselines, and governance frameworks to ensure consistency across environments.

• Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to availability, performance, and compliance.

• Ensure disaster recovery and resiliency are integrated into network designs.

Communication skills

• Effectively communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, including senior management, to ensure alignment on network strategy.

Qualifications

What makes you a dream candidate?

• Experience with leading cross-functional and/or global initiatives from start to finish

• Advanced knowledge of business acumen and a deep understanding of business implications of decisions

• In-depth understanding of company values, mission, vision, and strategic direction

• Comprehensive knowledge of GM Financial's business operations

• Advanced relationship management skills and ability to influence others to achieve results by working across the business unit, being open to ideas and actively engaging and influencing others

• Proven skills in providing leadership through mentorship, influence, inspiration, collaboration, and teamwork

• Exemplifies professional behavior in using logic, analysis and judgment when encountering challenges

• Strong ability to map long-term vision for the business unit and generate innovative ideas that create value

• Ability to maintain and grow strong working relationships and build trust with peers, cross-functional partners, and related professional organizations

• Thrive in environments that require cross-functional influence and business alignment.

• Have a passion for solving complex challenges and building future-proof architectures.

Experience:

• Have 12 years of progressive experience in infrastructure and network architecture.

• Possess 5+ years of experience leading large-scale hybrid network initiatives.

• Have deep technical knowledge in network protocols, routing, switching, security, and cloud connectivity.

• Are fluent in cloud networking patterns across AWS and Azure

• 5-7 years leading through mentorship in related field required

• 5-7 years driving thought leadership and innovation across products required

What We Offer: Generous benefits package available on day one to include: 401K matching, bonding leave for new parents (12 weeks, 100% paid), tuition assistance, training, GM employee auto discount, community service pays and nine company holidays.
Our Culture: Our team members define and shape our culture. We have an environment that welcomes new ideas, fosters integrity, and creates a sense of community and belonging. Here we do more than. work - we thrive.
Compensation: Competitive salary and bonus eligibility; this role is eligible for company vehicle program.
Work Life Balance: Flexible hybrid work environment, 3-days a week in office.

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