Lead Network Engineer

Pantheon Electric

$100K — $130K *
Information Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of hands-on enterprise network engineering experience, with increasing scope and seniority
  • Expertise in network architecture within multi-site, distributed enterprise environments, especially in manufacturing
  • Proven ability to lead network modernization and standardization programs from design through execution
  • Experience managing or mentoring network engineering staff
  • Deep knowledge of Fortinet ecosystem including FortiGate, FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiManager, FortiSASE, and FortiAnalyzer

Responsibilities

  • Define and own enterprise network architecture and standards across U.S. and European sites
  • Lead Fortinet standardization program across on-prem and cloud environments
  • Architect and oversee SD-WAN deployment focusing on site-to-site connectivity and policy
  • Drive network segmentation strategy for OT/IT boundary in manufacturing
  • Manage vendor and MSP relationships for network infrastructure, ensuring SLA accountability and technical scope
  • Directly manage and develop two network infrastructure staff, providing coaching and professional development
  • Establish documentation standards and operational practices across the network team

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead senior network initiatives in infrastructure modernization
  • Ownership of a comprehensive Fortinet standardization budget with executive backing
  • Chance to influence hiring and standards for a growing team
  • Work in a complex, global manufacturing environment at the IT and OT intersection
  • Collaborate closely with a high-powered IT leadership team within a private equity-backed organization
Full Job Description
What You'll Do

Architecture & Standards

  • Define and own the enterprise network architecture and standards across all U.S. sites and European operations, ensuring consistency, security, and scalability
    Lead the design and execution of the company's Fortinet standardization program, including FortiGate, FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiManager, FortiSASE, and FortiAnalyzer across on-prem and cloud environments
    Architect and oversee SD-WAN deployment across the enterprise, including design decisions for site-to-site connectivity, failover, and traffic policy
    Drive network segmentation strategy with specific attention to OT/IT boundary design in manufacturing environments
    Own the Azure networking architecture, including VNets, VPN Gateways, ExpressRoute, and hybrid connectivity patterns
    Program Delivery
    Lead the network overhaul for recently acquired business units, including multi-site Fortinet infrastructure deployments
    Collaborate with the Sr. Director of IT on capacity planning, security uplift, and long-term infrastructure investment decisions
    Manage vendor and MSP relationships for network infrastructure - owning technical scope, SLA accountability, and escalation pathways
    Ensure network infrastructure supports ERP modernization, cloud migration, and other major transformation programs


Team Leadership & Mentorship

  • Directly manage and develop two network infrastructure staff, including the mid-level Network Engineer
  • Set technical direction, assign work, conduct code/config reviews, and provide ongoing coaching and professional development
  • Establish and enforce documentation standards, change management practices, and operational runbooks across the network team
  • Serve as the senior escalation point for complex network incidents across domestic and international sites


What You Bring

Experience & Background

  • 12+ years of hands-on enterprise network engineering experience, with increasing scope and seniority over time
  • Demonstrated experience owning network architecture in multi-site, distributed enterprise environments - manufacturing or industrial experience a strong plus
  • Proven track record leading network modernization or standardization programs from design through execution
  • Prior experience managing or mentoring network engineering staff


Technical Skills

  • Fortinet (required): Deep hands-on expertise across the FortiOS ecosystem - FortiGate firewalls, FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiManager, FortiSASE, and FortiAnalyzer; Security Fabric architecture experience strongly preferred
  • SD-WAN: Design, deployment, and operational management of enterprise SD-WAN - Fortinet SD-WAN preferred
  • Azure Networking: Practical experience with VNets, VPN Gateways, ExpressRoute, Azure Firewall, and hybrid on-prem/cloud routing
    OT/IT Segmentation: Understanding of network architecture requirements in manufacturing environments, including VLAN segmentation, zone-based firewalling, and OT protocol awareness
  • Core Networking: Expert-level command of TCP/IP, BGP/OSPF, routing, switching, VLANs, DHCP/DNS, QoS, VPNs, and network security principles
  • HPE Aruba/Meraki: Familiarity with Aruba and Meraki switching and wireless a plus as we complete migration from these to Fortinet


Certifications

Certifications are preferred but not required - hands-on depth matters more than paper credentials. That said, the following are viewed favorably:

  • Fortinet: NSE 4, NSE 5, or NSE 6 (NSE 7 / FCSS a strong differentiator)
  • Networking: CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent advanced networking certification
  • Cloud: Azure Network Engineer Associate or other Azure certifications
  • Security: Security+, CISSP, or equivalent


Soft Skills

  • Confident technical authority who can present architecture decisions to both engineers and senior business stakeholders
  • Collaborative leader who elevates the people around them rather than hoarding knowledge
  • Bias toward documentation, repeatability, and leaving systems better than you found them
  • Comfortable operating with ambiguity in a fast-moving, PE-backed environment where priorities can shift
  • Organized and accountable - able to manage multiple concurrent programs without dropping threads


Why Join Us

  • Be the most senior network voice in a company actively investing in infrastructure modernization
  • Own a multi-year Fortinet standardization program with real budget and executive sponsorship
  • Lead a small, growing team with direct influence over hiring, tooling, and operating standards
  • Work at the intersection of IT and OT in a complex, global manufacturing environment
  • Collaborate with a high-powered IT leadership team and private equity-backed executive organization with a clear growth agenda


Hybrid: Flexibility to be based in Stamford, CT; Leetsdale, PA; or Camden, NY

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