Position Overview: Manager, Global Network Operations is a strategic role responsible for the engineering and operational evolution of our core enterprise networking ecosystem. You will be a key technical leader for solutions spanning our global SD-WAN footprint, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) connectivity, Intent-Based Networking (IBN), and factory-edge/OT environments. The ideal candidate is a deep-thinking strategic leader able to operationalize scalable, robust, and secure network architectures. You will be instrumental in modernizing our digital backbone, right-sizing datacenter fabrics, and ensuring seamless, zero-downtime connectivity across our enterprise, from local manufacturing plants to global cloud landing zones.
Key Responsibilities
- Global Network Strategy & Execution: Own the end-to-end lifecycle, and 24/7 operational performance of enterprise WAN, SD-WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, and GCP cloud networking environments.
- Software-Defined & Intent-Based Networking: Drive the transition toward Intent-Based Networking (IBN) and AIOps, translating business policies into declarative network state and automated closed-loop assurance.
- GCP Cloud & SASE Architecture: Optimize resilient, low-latency connectivity between on-premise sites, factory edge nodes, and GCP (Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Router, Shared VPCs) utilizing SASE and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) frameworks.
- Datacenter Fabric Right-Sizing: Deliver modern EVPN-VXLAN Leaf-Spine datacenter fabrics; manage the compression and optimization of on-premise hardware footprints as workloads migrate into GCP.
- Network Automation & IaC: Lead a "Network as Code" strategy, driving continuous integration and automated change management via Terraform, Ansible, Python, and GitOps workflows.
- IT/OT Convergence & Manufacturing Integration: Partner with manufacturing and OT security teams to deploy, segment, and protect shop-floor networks (Purdue Model, industrial firewalls) and plant-floor compute nodes.
- Governance & Global Team Leadership: Direct and mentor a team of high-performing network engineers across regions). Establish operational standards, SLOs/SLAs, observability metrics, and seamless escalation paths with the Global NOC.
- Carrier & Vendor Management: Manage commercial contracts, SLAs, and relationships with global ISP carriers, telecom providers, and hardware vendors.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Network Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree in a relevant field preferred.
- 5+ years of related experience in enterprise network engineering required, 10+ years of progressive experience in IT preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in a technical leadership or engineering management role overseeing distributed global teams preferred.
- Proven track record leading enterprise-wide SD-WAN transformations (e.g., Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto) and SASE/ZTNA deployments (e.g., Prisma).
- Deep functional and technical knowledge of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) cloud-native networking (Shared VPCs, Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Router, VPC Service Controls).
- Demonstrated experience designing EVPN-VXLAN Leaf-Spine topologies, micro-segmentation, and right-sizing hybrid/on-premise datacenter networks during active cloud migrations.
- Proficiency in managing network infrastructure through automation pipelines using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Ansible, Python, and Git/GitOps.
- Expert knowledge of core protocols including BGP (multi-homing, path selection), OSPF, MP-BGP, VXLAN overlays, and IPv4/IPv6 enterprise addressing schemes.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex network requirements into clear, conceptual guidance for executive leadership.
Additional Qualifications
- Experience with industrial/manufacturing OT network security concepts and standards (e.g., IEC 62443, industrial firewalls, plant-floor LAN/Wi-Fi) preferred.
- Experience with Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) and full-stack observability tools such as ThousandEyes, Dynatrace, or Wireshark preferred.
- Possesses expertise in leading cloud-native networking architectures across Google Cloud Platform, with GCP Professional Cloud Network Engineer or CCIE certification preferred.
- Hands-on expertise with Cisco Enterprise Networking solutions, including Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) and Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center), preferred.
- Experience managing enterprise-grade Cisco Voice/UC (Unified Communications) architectures preferred.
- Proficiency with Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and security management platforms preferred.
