Global Networks Operations Manager

The Manager, Global Network Operations is a strategic technical leadership role responsible for the engineering and operational evolution of a core enterprise networking ecosystem. This role leads solutions spanning a global software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) footprint, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) connectivity, Intent-Based Networking (IBN), and factory-edge/operational technology (OT) environments. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader who can operationalize scalable, robust, and secure network architectures. This leader will help modernize the digital backbone, right-size data center fabrics, and ensure seamless, zero-downtime connectivity across the enterprise, from local manufacturing plants to global cloud landing zones.

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 artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps), translating business policies into declarative network state and automated closed-loop assurance.
• GCP Cloud & SASE Architecture: Optimize resilient, low-latency connectivity between on-premises sites, factory-edge nodes, and GCP using Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Router, and Shared Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), along with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) frameworks.
• Data Center Fabric Right-Sizing: Deliver modern Ethernet VPN and Virtual Extensible LAN (EVPN-VXLAN) leaf-spine data center fabrics; manage the compression and optimization of on-premises hardware footprints as workloads migrate into GCP.
• Network Automation & IaC: Lead a Network as Code strategy, driving continuous integration and automated change management through 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 using the 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, service level objectives (SLOs), service level agreements (SLAs), observability metrics, and seamless escalation paths with the Global Network Operations Center (NOC).
• Carrier & Vendor Management: Manage commercial contracts, SLAs, and relationships with global internet service provider (ISP) carriers, telecom providers, colocation facilities, and hardware vendors.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Network Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of related experience in enterprise network engineering required.
• Proven track record leading enterprise-wide SD-WAN transformations, such as Cisco, Fortinet, or Palo Alto Networks, and SASE/ZTNA deployments, such as Prisma.
• Deep functional and technical knowledge of GCP cloud-native networking, including Shared VPCs, Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Router, and VPC Service Controls.
• Demonstrated experience designing EVPN-VXLAN leaf-spine topologies, micro-segmentation, and right-sizing hybrid/on-premises data center networks during active cloud migrations.
• Proficiency 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 Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Multiprotocol BGP (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.
• Preferred: Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Preferred: 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: Experience with industrial/manufacturing OT network security concepts and standards, including IEC 62443, industrial firewalls, and plant-floor LAN/Wi-Fi.
• Preferred: Experience with Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) and full-stack observability tools such as ThousandEyes, Dynatrace, or Wireshark.
• Preferred: GCP Professional Cloud Network Engineer or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.
• Preferred: Hands-on expertise with Cisco Enterprise Networking solutions, including Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) and Cisco Catalyst Center, formerly DNA Center.
• Preferred: Experience managing enterprise-grade Cisco Voice/Unified Communications (UC) architectures.
• Preferred: Proficiency with Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and security management platforms.

Tools and Technologies:

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Shared VPC, Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Router, VPC Service Controls
• Networking: SD-WAN, SASE, ZTNA, IBN, AIOps, EVPN-VXLAN, leaf-spine, BGP, OSPF, MP-BGP, IPv4/IPv6
• Automation and IaC: Terraform, Ansible, Python, Git, GitOps
• Enterprise and Security: Cisco ACI, Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Voice/UC, Palo Alto Networks NGFW, Prisma
• Observability: ThousandEyes, Dynatrace, Wireshark
• OT/Manufacturing: Purdue Model, IEC 62443, industrial firewalls, plant-floor LAN/Wi-Fi