Principal Network Backbone & Edge Lead

Responsibilities

We are representing a confidential GPU cloud infrastructure provider seeking a Principal Network Backbone & Edge Lead to own the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of network infrastructure and connectivity services across a defined global region.

In this hands-on technical leadership role, you will lead network engineers across core/optical, data center connectivity, and service delivery while acting as the primary escalation point and technical authority for your region. You'll balance engineering execution with operational oversight, carrier and vendor management, customer engagement, and close collaboration with sales, product, data center operations, and global network teams.

Regional Leadership & Delivery:

• Own end-to-end delivery of network infrastructure within your region, from new site buildouts and backbone expansions through ongoing operations, incidents, and capacity management
• Lead and develop network engineers across core/optical, DC connectivity, and service delivery disciplines
• Set objectives, support career development, and build a high-performing engineering culture
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex regional network incidents and service delivery issues
• Maintain regional network performance against global SLA and KPI frameworks

Network Engineering & Operations:

• Remain hands-on in the deployment, configuration, testing, and commissioning of network infrastructure
• Support WAN edge routing platforms, cloud exchange connectivity, and carrier circuit delivery
• Oversee change management, maintenance windows, and capacity planning across regional network assets
• Maintain accurate infrastructure documentation including as-built designs, configuration records, and asset inventories
• Drive automation adoption in partnership with network platform teams

Supplier & Carrier Management:

• Own senior technical relationships with carriers, wavelength providers, colocation partners, and equipment vendors
• Manage circuit delivery, service activation, and SLA performance across regional connectivity suppliers
• Partner with sourcing and commercial teams on carrier procurement, capacity planning, and supplier contract management
• Lead technical escalations with carriers and vendors to ensure timely resolution

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage directly with enterprise customers and hyperscalers on onboarding, connectivity design, technical due diligence, and ongoing service management
• Partner with regional sales and product teams on customer acquisition, pre-sales technical engagement, and service design
• Collaborate with data center operations and facilities teams to embed network requirements into regional planning

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of hands-on network engineering experience, including at least 2 years in a senior or lead role managing teams and regional or multi-site infrastructure
• Deep technical knowledge across data center networking, WAN edge, and connectivity engineering within hyperscale or large-scale data center environments
• Proven experience with routing platforms including BGP, VRF, and service segmentation (Nokia SR experience highly valued)
• Strong knowledge of cloud exchange platforms such as Megaport and Equinix Fabric and customer direct-connect services
• Experience managing carrier and vendor relationships across technical delivery, validation, and escalation
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop network engineers while remaining hands-on technically
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to translate network capabilities into customer and business value
• Experience with network automation including Ansible, Python, Network-as-Code, and CI/CD
• Comfortable working in Linux environments and using tools such as Git
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Experience:

• Regional carrier and connectivity market expertise relevant to EMEA, APAC, or the Americas
• Knowledge of major regional Internet exchanges and connectivity ecosystems
• Experience supporting hyperscale cloud or AI infrastructure environments
• Additional language skills relevant to the region are advantageous

How We Work With You

Our talent team at Get A Job.ai will guide you through the entire process. When you apply through our platform, one of our experienced recruiters will screen your background and qualifications. If there's a strong match, we'll prepare and submit your profile to our client for consideration.

Please apply exclusively through Get A Job.ai. Do not attempt to contact the client directly, as this may disqualify your application. We serve as your advocate throughout the hiring process and will keep you informed at every stage.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process with our recruitment team.

Equal Opportunity: Get A Job.ai is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will work with you to accommodate any specific needs you may have during the application process.