Lead Consultant - Cisco ACI Architect - Brussels, Belgium

Role – Lead ConsultantTechnology – Cisco ACI Architect Location- Brussels, Belgium Experience

• 15+ years in enterprise networking with strong data center transformation, ACI, F5 BIG-IP and data center architectures expertise

• Own and lead the end-to-end architecture, design, and transformation of data center networks using Cisco ACI, transformation of application delivery and security platforms using F5 BIG-IP, driving standardization, automation, and alignment with enterprise and business outcomes.

• Define ACI-based data center architecture strategy aligned to enterprise roadmap
• Lead greenfield / brownfield DC transformation initiatives (VXLAN EVPN → ACI)
• Establish design principles, standards, and reusable architecture patterns
• Drive adoption of policy-driven networking and intent-based networking models
• Define enterprise application delivery strategy using F5 BIG-IP (LTM, GTM/DNS, WAF, APM)
• Drive data center modernization with L4–L7 service insertion models
• Establish reference architectures for load balancing, SSL offload, and application security
• Own and approve:
• HLD / LLD for ACI deployments
• Multi-site / multi-pod architectures
• Integration with hybrid/cloud environments
• Conduct architecture reviews, design authority governance, and approvals
• Ensure compliance with enterprise architecture standards
• Lead end-to-end delivery from requirement gathering → design → implementation → migration → hypercare
• Drive adherence to SLAs, timelines, and quality outcomes
• Architect and oversee:
• ACI Fabric (Leaf-Spine, APIC clusters)
• Tenant/VRF/BD/EPG design and segmentation strategy
• L3Out, external connectivity, and DC interconnects
• F5 BIG-IP (LTM, GTM/DNS, ASM/WAF, APM, AFM)
• SSL offloading, TLS lifecycle, and certificate management
• Load balancing (L4/L7), persistence, health monitoring
• Integrate ACI with:
• Firewalls, load balancers, and security ecosystems
• VMware / Kubernetes platforms
• Legacy DC environments
• Define and implement:
• iRules, iApps, AS3/DO for automation
• High availability and failover strategies
• Integrate F5 with:

• Data center fabrics (EVPN/VXLAN)
• Firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM/SOAR
• Identity systems (AD/LDAP) and PKI
• Define automation strategy using:
• Ansible, Python, REST APIs (F5 programmability)
• Define and drive automation strategy using APIs, Ansible, Terraform
• Implement infrastructure-as-code (IaC) for ACI provisioning
• Lead innovation initiatives (self-service networking, CI/CD integration)
• Drive operational efficiency and cost optimization

• Lead client workshops, architecture discussions, and technical strategy sessions
• Translate business requirements into scalable ACI solutions
• Provide executive-level updates and solution positioning

• Deep expertise in:
• Cisco ACI (APIC, Leaf-Spine fabric)
• Tenants, VRFs, Bridge Domains, EPGs, Contracts
• Service graphs, policy models

• Multi-Pod / Multi-Site ACI
• L3Out, integration with external networks
• VXLAN-based DC architectures

• Strong knowledge of:
• BGP, OSPF, EVPN
• Data center design (Leaf-Spine, Clos architecture)
• TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP
• Experience with DC networking including load balancers, segmentation

• Python / Ansible / Terraform
• REST APIs, ACI programmability
• Monitoring and analytics platforms

• CCNP / CCIE (Enterprise or Data Center) – Preferred
• Cisco ACI Specialist Certification – Strong plus

• Enterprise ACI architecture blueprint
• HLD / LLD and design standards
• Successful DC transformation / ACI rollout
• Automated network provisioning framework
• Stable, scalable, and secure DC infrastructure