Principal Network Engineer, Global

Vantage Data Centers • Denver, CO

1d • Remote

About The Position

About Vantage Data Centers Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands. About Vantage Data Centers Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects, and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across 19 markets in North America, EMEA and APAC, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands. Vantage’s business is growing exponentially, through a combination of greenfield market expansion and acquisitions. Technology & Systems Department The Technology & Systems department drives technological innovation for the company and advances the technology strategy to support global growth. This includes IT, Software Development, OT / Automation Systems, and business process improvement. At Vantage, we are very hands on. In most cases, we specify, purchase, configure and maintain all networking and server hardware. We also work closely with partner VARs to learn about the latest technology changes so we can make informed purchase decisions. The Technology & Systems department participates in designing each of our new data center building’s networking infrastructure, including but not limited to diverse pathways connecting to carriers, meet-me room (MMR) hosting (rack, cabs, ladders, cross connect panels…), wireless AP coverage, etc. Position Overview This role can be based remotely in the United States. The Principal IT Network Engineer serves a pivotal role within the IT Infrastructure department, typically reporting to the IT Infrastructure Director. In this capacity, they lead engineering teams, offering technical direction and ensuring the successful delivery of projects. The role involves coordinating engineering projects and providing technical guidance, showcasing proficiency in addressing intricate technical challenges. This professional works closely with cross-functional teams to lead the technical aspects of project implementation, demonstrating expertise in network design, configuration, and troubleshooting. They take a lead role in engineering projects, providing technical expertise and guidance to the team. Responsibilities include designing and implementing network solutions, optimizing network performance, conducting system upgrades, and ensuring the security and integrity of the network infrastructure. The Lead IT Network Engineer collaborates with stakeholders to gather requirements, assesses network needs, and develops scalable solutions. Additionally, they stay abreast of industry trends, evaluate emerging technologies, and recommend enhancements to maintain a robust and efficient network environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
• Minimum of 8–10 years of program management experience driving complex, cross‑functional network and/or resilience initiatives in global environments
• Experience in data centers, cloud networking, large‑scale enterprise networks, or high‑growth global organizations strongly preferred
• Relevant certifications are a plus (e.g., PMP/PgMP, ITIL, CCNP/CCIE, AWS/Azure Networking, CISSP/CISM, SANS GCIH)
• Capacity Planning & Architecture: Leads enterprise capacity strategy; expert in scenario modeling, utilization headroom, and cost‑risk optimization
• Disaster Recovery Planning: Architects org‑wide DR solutions, sets/attains RTO/RPO, and conducts large‑scale exercises
• Incident Response: Designs IR strategy and playbooks; mentors senior engineers; drives continuous improvement via RCA
• Network & Platform Expertise (Subject Matter Expert proficiency across the following):
• IT Network Protocols: Advanced knowledge (e.g., SSL/TLS, VoIP protocols); advises on protocol selection for performance/security
• Network Monitoring & Observability: Deep expertise in security, cloud, and application performance monitoring; SRE‑aligned metrics
• Firewall Management: Expert‑level rule design/optimization; integration with broader security controls and zero‑trust patterns
• VoIP & Unified Communications: SME and advisor on complex UC initiatives; evaluates emerging trends and standards
• Cloud Networking (AWS/Azure/GCP): Multi‑cloud design and optimization; transit architectures, private connectivity, and policy
• LAN/WAN Configuration: Enterprise‑scale designs; contributes to standards and best practices
• Network Security: Specialization in areas such as threat intel, pen testing, or secure segmentation; drives innovation in controls
• IT Network Automation: Designs advanced automation and workflow orchestration for heterogeneous environments
• Routing & Switching: Performance/scalability optimization; adoption of new routing technologies
• Wireless Network Management: Deep expertise in modern wireless architectures and security; mentors junior staff
• DHCP Configuration: Integrations with DNS/Active Directory; policy and standards development
• Network Hardware Installation & Configuration: Deploys cutting‑edge platforms; leads evaluations and investment recommendations
• Patch Management: Designs automated patching at scale; ensures compliance and audit readiness
• IT Network Documentation: Innovates documentation methods/tools; integrates into project and change workflows
• Network Load Balancing: Designs and manages complex, multi‑platform LBs; expert troubleshooting
• ITIL Framework Knowledge: SME; tailors ITIL processes for data center/network environments (change, incident, problem)
• DNS Management: Designs high‑availability, secure DNS; provides strategic guidance to leadership
• VLAN Configuration: Develops advanced VLAN strategies; conducts audits and trains staff
• IT Network Auditing: Specialization in compliance or penetration testing; guides audit programs and improvements
• Network Performance Optimization: Expert in application/network optimization and advanced performance tooling
• Data Privacy: Leads complex privacy initiatives; provides strategic guidance on data protection within network contexts
• Network Architecture: Influences strategic design decisions; ensures seamless integration across platforms
• VPN Configuration: Provides strategic guidance on technology selection, optimization, and integration with security controls
• IT Network Design: Specialized expertise in security/scalability; champions modern methodologies and emerging tech
• Software‑Defined Networking (SDN): Designs customized SDN solutions; conducts performance analysis; thought leadership
• Network Troubleshooting: Develops advanced troubleshooting strategies; raises reliability across diverse environments
• Virtualization: SME in advanced virtualization, including SDN and storage virtualization, and R&D leadership
• Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills; strong analytical thinking; ability to drive clarity and alignment across global teams; highly organized with a track record of on‑time delivery
• Travel required is expected to be up to 20% but may increase over time as the business evolves
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the multi-year roadmap for network capacity planning, disaster recovery (DR), and incident response (IR) across NA, EMEA, and APAC
• Build detailed program plans (scope, milestones, dependencies, KPIs) and drive cross‑functional delivery to schedule and budget
• Establish and chair governance cadences, decision forums, and program communications to maintain global alignment
• Track outcomes via clear KPIs/OKRs (e.g., utilization, headroom, MTTD/MTTR, change success rate, RTO/RPO attainment)
• Lead comprehensive capacity planning strategies that align with data center architecture and long‑term business objectives
• Develop forecasting models and “what‑if” scenarios to guide investments, resiliency, and growth (campus, core, cloud, edge)
• Partner with Engineering and Operations to codify network reference architectures and standards for scalability and performance
• Mentor engineers on complex capacity trade‑offs, cost/risk optimization, and design patterns
• Architect organization‑wide DR strategies and playbooks—defining RTO/RPO targets, tiering, dependencies, and failover patterns
• Lead cross‑functional DR exercises and simulations; ensure lessons learned drive continuous improvement and budgeted remediation
• Align DR with business continuity planning (BCP), vendor strategies, and regulatory/compliance needs across regions
• Oversee incident response strategy, including readiness, runbooks, tabletops, and post‑incident reviews with actionable RCA
• Integrate IR with monitoring, SIEM/SOAR, change, problem, and asset/CMDB processes to reduce MTTD/MTTR and incident recurrence
• Provide executive‑level briefings during critical events; drive coordinated response across internal teams and partners
• Define global standards for network design, security controls, and documentation; govern adherence through audits and reviews
• Lead adoption of advanced monitoring, observability, and automation (workflow orchestration, configuration as code) across environments
• Champion patch management, compliance reporting, and continuous hardening to reduce risk and operational toil
• Collaborate with leadership, regional owners, and SMEs to prioritize work, allocate resources, and manage dependencies
• Manage vendors and partners (SOWs, SLAs, escalations) to ensure delivery quality and value realization
• Identify, quantify, and mitigate program risks; escalate with data‑driven recommendations and recovery options
• Additional duties as assigned by Management

Benefits

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.
• We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level