Routing and Optical Network Engineering Manager

LBL • $203K — $248K *
San Francisco, CA 94112In-Person
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related field preferred.
  • 3+ years experience in lead or supervisory roles.
  • Proven expertise in wide area network engineering.
  • Ability to foster a psychologically safe team environment.
  • Strong skills in network engineering/architecture, especially Optical and WAN routing.
  • Experience in guiding network architecture and engineering strategy.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • Proven experience in hiring, training, and mentoring technical staff.
  • Demonstrated project management skills in network implementation.
  • Operational focus on global network infrastructure.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a team of network engineers supporting ESnet's routing and optical backbone.
  • Foster a collaborative team culture and improve processes.
  • Ensure excellence in network operations and manage outages.
  • Oversee engineering projects, assigning resources and priorities.
  • Assist in budget planning and manage vendor relationships.
  • Contribute to department strategy and hiring initiatives.

Benefits

  • Full-time career appointment with exempt status from overtime pay.
  • Diverse work modalities including on-site, hybrid, and full-time telework options.
  • Priority consideration for applications submitted by the deadline.
Full Job Description
The Routing and Optical Network Engineering Manager leads the team that builds and operates the backbone of one of the world's most advanced scientific networks. This role manages a team of network engineers responsible for designing, building, and running ESnet's global routing and optical backbone, along with the advanced services it delivers to support the nation's most demanding scientific data.

As a member of the Network Services leadership team, you will report to the Network Services Department Head and partner with fellow leaders to shape department-wide vision, strategy, plans, and programs.

You will:
  • Provides day-to-day leadership for a team of network engineers supporting ESnet's global routing and optical backbone by setting goals, coaching, fostering career growth, and driving accountability.
  • Builds a high-performing, collaborative team culture and continuously improves processes and practices.
  • Ensures network operational excellence, including outage response and proactive risk mitigation.
  • Oversees network engineering projects by assigning resources, coordinating priorities, and driving execution.
  • Supports budget planning through procurement forecasting, manages technical vendor relationships, contributes to department strategy and prioritization, and leads hiring to grow the engineering team.


We are looking for:
  • Typically requires an advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related field, plus three (3) years of experience in formal or informal lead/supervisory roles or equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated expertise and experience in leading technical staff, with emphasis on wide area network engineering disciplines.
  • Ability to develop and maintain a high trust, psychologically safe team atmosphere.
  • Ability to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a technical engineering team.
  • Understanding of currently applicable networking engineering/architecture, systems and services design, and implementation and support experience, including both Optical and WAN routing fields.
  • Knowledge and experience guiding network architecture, engineering, and service strategy development, with the ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated success collaborating as both a team member and team leader.
  • Demonstrated experience hiring, training, and mentoring technical staff.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and implementing network engineering processes and plans, with strong network implementation project management skills.
  • Excellent operational skills, with a focus on global network infrastructure, continuous improvement, and metric-driven operational performance management.


Additional information:
  • Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by September 4, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
  • Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
  • Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $203,496 - $248,736, which fits into the full salary of $180,876 - $305,268 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
  • Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
  • Work modality: Work may be performed on-site, hybrid, full-time telework. The primary location for this role is Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work must be performed within the United States. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

About LBL

LBL Careers

Joining LBL offers an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading team of professionals dedicated to pioneering innovation and digital transformation. LBL stands as a beacon of excellence, offering a range of job opportunities that cater to various skills and career aspirations.

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LBL’s dynamic career paths empower professionals to navigate their professional growth with confidence. Whether through full-time positions, internships, or leadership roles, LBL is committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning.

Innovation and Professional Growth

At LBL, innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of their mission. The company encourages its team to push the boundaries of technology and strategy, ensuring that every member has the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity training and inclusion are at the heart of LBL’s employment strategy. The company believes that a diverse team is a strong team, and actively works to create an environment where all voices are heard and valued.

Benefits and Culture

LBL is renowned for its vibrant culture and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the team in all aspects of life—both professional and personal. From health benefits to flexible work policies, LBL ensures that the team not only excels at work but also enjoys a balanced life.

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