Lead Software Engineer-Network Infrastructure Development
On-siteJersey City, New Jersey, United States
Job Summary
Lead the development, implementation, and delivery of software-defined networking (SDN) solutions for software-defined datacenters, ensuring timelines, technical requirements, and network performance standards are met. Design, develop, and implement network automation solutions and infrastructure management platforms using Python, Go, JavaScript, and modern web technologies to reduce manual intervention and improve operational efficiency. Architect and deploy SDN solutions and network orchestration systems across multi-cloud environments, integrating monitoring frameworks with existing tools to ensure infrastructure reliability. Drive team adoption of enterprise-authorized AI-assisted engineering practices to improve code quality and delivery speed while establishing consistent validation standards. Mentor junior engineers on network automation and infrastructure-as-code principles while influencing technical direction by evaluating emerging SDN technologies and automation methodologies.
Required Qualifications
- Formal training or certification on software engineering concepts
- 5+ years applied experience
- Demonstrated experience in network infrastructure development and networking engineering
- Hands-on practical experience delivering system design, application development, testing, and operational stability
- Strong experience developing software with Python, Go, JavaScript, RUST and Shell Scripting for network automation and infrastructure management
- Experience leading development projects in an Agile environment with cross-functional teams
- Deep understanding of networking protocols and technologies including BGP, VRF, MPLS, IP, TCP, and UDP as applied to datacenter contexts
- Hands-on experience in cloud networking architectures such as VPC, CNI, hybrid cloud connectivity patterns
- Engineering experience with VMware NSX-T for software-defined networking solutions including NSX-T logical switching, routing, load balancing, distributed firewall, micro-segmentation, overlay and underlay network configuration
- Experience with CI/CD tools (specifically Jenkins) for infrastructure automation pipelines
- Container orchestration using Kubernetes and containerized network functions
- Network automation frameworks and infrastructure-as-code practices (Ansible, Terraform)
- Demonstrated experience leading effective use of enterprise-authorized AI-assisted software development tools within the work environment
- Ability to set team expectations for validating AI outputs for correctness, performance, and security
- Strong understanding of responsible AI use in engineering workflows, including data sensitivity considerations, secure handling of inputs/outputs, and adherence to resiliency and security expectations
- Experience coaching senior engineers/leads on compliant usage patterns and controls
- Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Ability to decompose complex network infrastructure challenges
- Ability to perform root cause analysis across distributed systems
- Ability to debug and optimize both network infrastructure components and automation software
- Ability to apply systems thinking to anticipate cascading impacts of changes
- Demonstrated experience leading effective use of approved AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., for coding, code review, test acceleration, troubleshooting)
- Ability to set team expectations for validating AI outputs for correctness, performance, and security
- Strong understanding of responsible AI use in engineering workflows, including data sensitivity considerations, secure handling of inputs/outputs, and adherence to resiliency and security expectations
- Experience coaching engineers on safe, compliant adoption within delivery practices
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with network visibility and analytics tools and network virtualization platforms including Cisco ACI, Calico, OVN (Open Virtual Network), and Cilium for container networking
- Knowledge in policy-as-code frameworks
- Knowledge in network security automation practices
- Knowledge in zero-trust architecture implementation
- Industry-recognized networking certifications such as AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty, Azure Network Engineer Associate, or Google Cloud Professional Cloud Network Engineer
- Demonstrated ability to leverage AI-powered development tools and Specification-Driven Development (SDD) methodologies using platforms such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar tools to enhance network automation development velocity and code quality
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