The role may be based at Equinix headquarters in Redwood City, California, or in another major Equinix metro.
The Opportunity
Equinix is advancing from foundational connectivity toward an intelligent, software-defined interconnection platform. Fabric One is being developed as an intent-driven, any-to-any connectivity platform that enables applications and AI agents to provision their own networks. Fabric Intelligence introduces an AI-native operations layer designed to manage and optimize network performance. Fabric Geo Zones extends this architecture further by enabling compliant data paths across jurisdictions.
The Senior Director of Network Architecture will determine how these capabilities come together as a secure, scalable, and coherent global platform. This leader will balance the demands of today’s production network with the emerging requirements of distributed AI, autonomous infrastructure, data sovereignty, and real-time digital services.
Responsibilities
What You Will Own
Define the Future of the Equinix Network
Own the end-to-end architecture for the Equinix interconnection portfolio, including:
Equinix Fabric
Fabric Cloud Router
Metro Connect
Internet Exchange
Network Edge
Precision Time
Internet Access
Future software-defined and AI-enabled interconnection services
Create an architectural foundation that supports the company’s long-term product ambitions and enables a seamless, multiyear roadmap of differentiated products and services
Architect the Next Generation of Interconnection
Serve as the design authority for the network supporting Fabric One and future intent-driven connectivity capabilities
Translate product vision into a secure, resilient, and scalable network architecture capable of supporting increasingly dynamic applications, distributed AI workloads, autonomous services, and machine-to-machine infrastructure consumption
Lead Technology Strategy and Critical Design Decisions
Set Equinix’s strategy across optical transport, network fabrics, routing, software-defined interconnection, automation, and emerging infrastructure technologies
Lead the evaluation, selection, and validation of technologies across
Network silicon
Optical and coherent systems
DWDM and OTN
IP/MPLS and BGP
Software-defined networking
Network orchestration
Automation and telemetry platforms
Vendor and open technology ecosystems
Make disciplined architectural trade-offs that improve scalability, reliability, customer experience, and long-term economics
Build Intelligence into the Network
Shape the technical foundation for Fabric Intelligence and other AI-native capabilities that manage, optimize, and protect the Equinix network
Advance Equinix toward increasingly predictive and autonomous network operations through intelligent observability, intent-driven orchestration, automated optimization, and closed-loop remediation
Enable Distributed AI and Data Sovereignty
Partner with Product to define the network architecture supporting emerging capabilities such as Distributed AI Hub, Inference Exchange, and future AI infrastructure services
Design for the performance, data movement, latency, security, and resiliency requirements of distributed AI training and inference
Advance the architecture for Fabric Geo Zones, enabling compliant data paths and infrastructure consumption across geographic and jurisdictional boundaries
Deliver Architecture That Operates Reliably at Global Scale
Partner closely with Network Operations to translate architecture and design into a highly reliable production network
Ensure architectural decisions account for operational readiness, lifecycle management, observability, resilience, maintainability, and the realities of running mission-critical global infrastructure
Engage Customers and Shape the Industry
Represent Equinix’s network architecture with senior executives, strategic customers, board stakeholders, and industry audiences
Engage CTO-level leaders across hyperscalers, neoclouds, network providers, technology partners, and the broader digital infrastructure ecosystem
Use these relationships to anticipate market shifts, influence partner roadmaps, and ensure Equinix’s architecture remains aligned with the needs of the world’s most demanding infrastructure customers
Build a World-Class Architecture Organization
Recruit, develop, and lead an exceptional global team of network architects, systems engineers, and technical program managers
Create an environment capable of attracting and retaining engineers who have operated at cloud and hyperscale network scale
Establish clear technical standards, raise architectural quality, and build a culture of accountability, innovation, and engineering excellence
What Success Looks Like
Establish a clear, multiyear architecture for Equinix’s global interconnection platform
Create the technical foundation for Fabric One and future intent-driven network services
Accelerate the evolution toward intelligent and autonomous network operations
Enable new products supporting distributed AI, cloud connectivity, and data sovereignty
Improve alignment among Architecture, Product, Engineering, and Network Operations
Make technology and vendor decisions that improve performance, reliability, scalability, and economics
Build an architecture organization recognized for technical excellence and industry influence
Strengthen Equinix’s credibility with major cloud, AI, network, and infrastructure partners
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
15+ years of experience designing, building, or operating large-scale global networks
Direct experience at a major public cloud provider or responsibility for a hyperscale carrier, exchange, or similarly complex global network
Deep expertise across optical networking, DWDM, OTN, coherent systems, IP/MPLS, BGP at scale, SD-WAN, and software-defined interconnection
Demonstrated success defining architecture and technology strategy for mission-critical infrastructure
Proven experience leading senior engineers and building high-performing technical organizations
Ability to translate product and business strategy into scalable architecture and executable roadmaps
Strong executive presence, including experience engaging senior customers, executive teams, boards, strategic partners, and industry audiences
Ability to influence across Product, Engineering, Operations, Security, and commercial organizations without relying solely on direct authority
Preferred Qualifications
Experience designing network infrastructure for distributed AI training, inference, or other high-performance computing workloads
Understanding of the latency, bandwidth, data movement, and resiliency requirements associated with AI infrastructure
Experience with intent-driven networking, OpenAPI-based orchestration, autonomous operations, or software-defined infrastructure
Familiarity with data sovereignty, jurisdictional routing, and compliance-driven network design
Experience within interconnection ecosystems, internet exchanges, carrier-neutral colocation, or cloud exchange platforms
Demonstrated industry impact through standards participation, open-source contributions, patents, publications, or external thought leadership
Why This Role Matters
The next generation of infrastructure will not be provisioned solely by people. It will increasingly be consumed and optimized by applications, platforms, and AI agents. Equinix sits at the intersection of the networks, clouds, partners, and infrastructure upon which that future depends.
The Senior Director of Network Architecture will determine how those environments connect and how Equinix evolves from a global interconnection leader into an increasingly intelligent, software-defined infrastructure platform.
This is an opportunity to build more than a network. It is an opportunity to define the architecture through which the next generation of digital and AI services operates.
The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:
United States - Redwood City Office GHQ : 240,000 - 360,000 USD / Annual
Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location.The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.
The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.
Equinix Benefits
As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.
Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees. 
US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.
Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.
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This posting is a new position within our organization.

