Job Title:  Network Operations Leader

The Network Operations Leader is responsible for the global design, operation, reliability, and lifecycle management of the company’s enterprise network infrastructure across all corporate, regional, and manufacturing locations. This role oversees WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, remote connectivity, edge security (firewall), cloud networking, and plant network segmentation, ensuring highly available, secure, and scalable connectivity that supports both commercial and regulated business operations.

This leader manages global network engineering and operations teams, oversees managed service providers (MSPs), and partners closely with cybersecurity, infrastructure, OT/plant operations, and business unit IT teams. The role is accountable for network performance, resilience, capacity planning, incident response, and adherence to compliance frameworks such as SOX ITGC, NIST 800-171, CMMC, DFARS, and ITAR/EAR.
 

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

• Manage day-to-day operations for all enterprise networks, including WAN, LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, VPN, Firewall, cloud network connectivity, and data center interconnects.
• Ensure network availability, reliability, and performance across a global footprint of offices, R&D sites, and manufacturing facilities.
• Define operational standards, runbooks, escalation paths, and service SLAs in partnership with IT leadership.
• Define and report network KPIs aligned to business SLAs and manufacturing uptime requirements.
• Oversee a global team of network engineers and MSP resources, providing coaching, performance management, and strategic direction.
• Own network monitoring, alerting, and performance management using enterprise tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Cisco DNA Center, Palo Alto Panorama, Armis, Netskope, Aruba AirWave).
• Execute regular capacity planning, traffic analysis, and optimization to ensure consistent performance during business growth, M&A, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Lead operational readiness for new platforms and projects, including M&A integrations and global rollouts.
• Develop strategies for network redundancy, failover, disaster recovery, and high availability.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts—including routing optimization, Wi-Fi modernization, and network upgrades.
• Establish global standards for network hardware, software, segmentation, and cloud connectivity.
• Ensure modernization of network platforms through defined lifecycle and refresh programs.
• Partner with Enterprise Architecture to align network strategy with cloud adoption, Zero Trust initiatives, and IT/OT convergence.
• Lead deployment of SD-WAN architecture and next-generation network technologies.
• Oversee procurement, licensing, and vendor management for network technology platforms.
• Collaborate with Cybersecurity to implement secure configurations, segmentation, firewall rules, IDS/IPS, and remote-access policies.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory frameworks including: NIST 800-171/CMMC, DFARS 252.204-7012, SOX ITGC, ITAR/EAR, ISO 27001
• Maintain audit-ready documentation, network diagrams, configuration baselines, and change records.
• Support penetration tests, vulnerability remediation, and risk assessments across IT and OT networks.
• Lead network-related major incident response, ensuring rapid containment, triage, communication, and root-cause analysis.
• Partner with ITSM teams to reduce recurring incidents and drive long-term remediation for systemic issues.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex network issues across global sites and MSP partners.
• Implement structured problem management, trend analysis, and continuous improvement programs.
• Work collaboratively with Plant IT and Operational Technology (OT) teams to support segmentation, monitoring, and security of manufacturing networks.
• Develop governance models for IT/OT convergence ensuring production uptime and cybersecurity integrity.
• Standardize design patterns for SCADA, PLCs, IIoT devices, smart factory solutions, and vendor-access connectivity.
• Oversee network service vendors, telecom providers, MSPs, and hardware/software partners (e.g., Cisco, Palo Alto, Check Point, Fortinet, Aruba).
• Ensure contract alignment to SLAs, performance, cost models, and compliance needs.
• Manage annual operating and capital budgets for network operations, hardware refresh, and telecom services.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives without compromising service quality or compliance.
• Develop network strategies and multi-year roadmaps supporting cloud modernization, digital workplace technologies, IoT/IIoT adoption, and secure global connectivity.
• Optimize network performance for hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• Provide updates to IT leadership, business units, and executive stakeholders on network performance, risks, and investments.
• Maintain strong cross-functional relationships with architecture, cybersecurity, service delivery, infrastructure, and application teams.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or related field, master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 12–15+ years of experience in network engineering/operations, including 5+ years in global leadership roles.
• Experience in highly distributed, multi-site manufacturing environments.
• Network automation and SDN experience
• Strong understanding of OT networking and industrial protocols
• Proven track record supporting regulated customers (aerospace, defense, energy, medical).
• Demonstrated experience managing MSPs, telecom carriers, and global network operations centers.
• Enterprise networking: Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Check Point, Aruba, SD-WAN, NAC, SASE, ZTNA, Wi-Fi 6/6E.
• Cloud networking: Azure/AWS routing, peering, ExpressRoute, Direct Connect, virtual firewalls, identity-based policies.
• Network monitoring and observability: SolarWinds, Splunk, DNA Center, Panorama, Zscaler dashboards, NetFlow analytics.
• Security: Firewalls, VPN, IDS/IPS, segmentation, Zero Trust architectures.
• Compliance knowledge: SOX, NIST 800-171, CMMC, DFARS, ITAR/EAR.
• Excellent communication and executive presence.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership capabilities.
• Effective vendor and budget management.
• Ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed organizational structure.
• Certifications (Preferred): CCNP or CCIE, PCNSE (Palo Alto), AWS/Azure networking specialty certifications, CISSP or CISM, ITIL v4 Foundation or Managing Professional
• Eligibility to work with export-controlled information; ability to obtain/maintain relevant clearances when required by customer programs.
• Willingness to visit manufacturing sites and suppliers globally.