Network Engineering Lead

The Recruitment Company; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruitment Company is partnering with an Australian telecommunications provider to recruit an experienced Network Engineering Lead in Melbourne. You will own network design, integration and delivery across Core, Transport and Access networks, acting as the 2IC to the Principal Engineer with a blend of hands-on engineering and leadership responsibilities.

You will lead and mentor a team of Network Engineers, drive automation initiatives, and shape engineering standards while engaging with

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in network engineering and operations, ideally within a telco/service provider
• Strong expertise in IP networking, TCP/IP, Ethernet and routing protocols including BGP and IS-IS
• Experience designing, implementing and troubleshooting complex IP networks
• Knowledge of large-scale IP/MPLS environments, Segment Routing and EVPN advantageous
• Familiarity with network automation concepts and tools including Ansible, Terraform and Git
• Experience producing high-level and detailed network designs
• Previous experience leading or mentoring Network Engineers
• Strong troubleshooting, communication and stakeholder management skills

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, integration and optimisation of Core, Transport and Access networks.
• Work across BGP, IS-IS, Segment Routing, EVPN, XGS-PON and Ethernet technologies.
• Design and deliver network upgrades, migrations, capacity expansions and new site commissioning.
• Provide senior-level technical escalation support for complex network incidents.
• Lead, mentor and support a team of Network Engineers.
• Partner with Platform Engineering to drive network automation and network-as-code initiatives.
• Develop detailed network designs, technical standards, testing documentation and operational procedures.
• Act as the Principal Engineer's deputy for technical decisions, design reviews and vendor engagement.

Skills

IP networking

BGP

Network design

Network automation

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Tools

Ansible

Terraform

Git

Python

NetBox

CI/CD

NETCONF/YANG

Job description

We're working with a growing Australian telecommunications provider that builds and operates its own independent high-speed broadband network.

They're looking for an experienced Network Engineering Lead to take ownership of network design, integration and technical delivery across their Core, Transport and Access networks.

Reporting directly to the Principal Engineer, you'll act as their 2IC, combining hands-on technical engineering with team leadership, network architecture and automation initiatives.

This is an opportunity for a technically strong Network Engineer who enjoys being hands-on but is also comfortable leading others, making design decisions and taking ownership of complex engineering projects.

About the role

We're working with a growing Australian telecommunications provider that builds and operates its own independent high-speed broadband network.

They're looking for an experienced Network Engineering Lead to take ownership of network design, integration and technical delivery across their Core, Transport and Access networks.

Reporting directly to the Principal Engineer, you'll act as their 2IC, combining hands-on technical engineering with team leadership, network architecture and automation initiatives.

This is an opportunity for a technically strong Network Engineer who enjoys being hands-on but is also comfortable leading others, making design decisions and taking ownership of complex engineering projects.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the design, integration and optimisation of Core, Transport and Access networks.
• Work across BGP, IS-IS, Segment Routing, EVPN, XGS-PON and Ethernet technologies.
• Design and deliver network upgrades, migrations, capacity expansions and new site commissioning.
• Provide senior-level technical escalation support for complex network incidents.
• Lead, mentor and support a team of Network Engineers.
• Partner with Platform Engineering to drive network automation and network-as-code initiatives.
• Develop detailed network designs, technical standards, testing documentation and operational procedures.
• Act as the Principal Engineer's deputy for technical decisions, design reviews and vendor engagement.

What we're looking for

• 10+ years' experience in network engineering and operations, ideally within a telecommunications or service provider environment.
• Strong expertise in IP networking, TCP/IP, Ethernet and routing protocols including BGP and IS-IS.
• Experience designing, implementing and troubleshooting complex IP networks.
• Knowledge of large-scale IP/MPLS environments, with Segment Routing and EVPN experience highly regarded.
• Familiarity with network automation concepts and tools including Ansible, Terraform and Git.
• Experience producing high-level and detailed network designs.
• Previous experience leading, mentoring or providing technical guidance to Network Engineers.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Experience with Python, NetBox, CI/CD, NETCONF/YANG or network telemetry would be advantageous. CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP or equivalent qualifications are also highly regarded.

Why consider this opportunity?

You'll join an Australian telecommunications business operating its own network infrastructure, with the opportunity to influence how the network is designed, automated and scaled.

Working closely with the Principal Engineer, you'll have genuine technical ownership, exposure to evolving network technologies and the opportunity to help shape engineering standards and practices.

This is a hands-on leadership position where you'll remain close to the technology while supporting and developing other engineers.

Location: Melbourne (Southbank) preferred, Brisbane considered.

Working arrangement: Hybrid, 3 days per week in the office.

Salary: Competitive package – details to be confirmed.

If you're an experienced Network Engineer looking for greater technical ownership and leadership responsibility, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.