Network Engineering Lead

The Recruitment Company Pty Ltd; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruitment Company Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced Network Engineering Lead for a growing Australian telecommunications provider. You will own design, integration and delivery across Core, Transport and Access networks, acting as the second-in-command to the Principal Engineer with a hands-on leadership approach.

Responsibilities include mentoring a team of engineers, driving automation, and delivering network upgrades, migrations and site commissioning.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in network engineering and operations, telecom/service provider preferred.
• Strong IP networking, BGP/IS-IS, Ethernet and routing expertise.
• Experience with large-scale IP/MPLS, Segment Routing and EVPN.
• Familiarity with network automation tools including Ansible, Terraform and Git.
• Experience producing high-level and detailed network designs.
• Leadership experience mentoring or guiding Network Engineers.

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 and new site commissioning.
• Provide senior escalation support for complex network incidents.
• Lead, mentor and support a team of Network Engineers.
• Drive network automation and network-as-code initiatives with Platform Engineering.
• Develop detailed network designs, standards, testing docs and procedures.
• Act as deputy to Principal Engineer for technical decisions and vendor engagement.

Skills

IP networking

BGP/IS-IS

Network automation

Ansible

Terraform

Git

Python

NetBox

CI/CD

NETCONF/YANG

Education

Advanced networking certifications (CCNP/CCIE/JNCIP)

Tools

Ansible

Terraform

Git

Job description

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.