Senior Network Engineer, Backbone and Internet Edge

Apple; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking an experienced Senior Network Engineer to join our Global Network Services (GNS) team. The successful candidate will lead large-scale projects from planning through deployment and handover across multiple sites and data centres.

You will work with Cisco, Juniper and Arista gear, handling BGP, IS‑IS, MPLS and IPsec, while building automation in Python using Netmiko, NAPALM, Scrapli, Ansible, Terraform and Jenkins; version control with Git.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of network engineering experience with 3+ years in a project leadership role.
• Fluent English (spoken and written) for frequent client communication.
• Strong TCP/IP, BGP, MPLS, IS-IS, DWDM and UNIX-based systems experience.
• Proficient Python for network automation and orchestration tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale network projects from planning through deployment and handover.
• Collaborate across multi-site data centres, peering and transit expansions.
• Develop automation tooling to streamline provisioning and deployment.

Skills

Fluent English

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Python

Netmiko

NAPALM

Scrapli

REST APIs

Ansible

Terraform

Jenkins

Git

BGP

MPLS

IS-IS

TCP/IP

DWDM

Linux

macOS

Job description

Summary

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming phenomenal products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Come join the networking team that supports Apple’s Global Backbone and Internet peering infrastructure! We're a team of seasoned professionals that maintain and operate one of the world’s largest service provider‑based backbone networks to connect all of Apple’s businesses globally. We are growing and building the fastest and most reliable network to meet Apple’s phenomenal scale and unique requirements.

Description

Apple is looking for an experienced Senior Network Engineer to join our Global Network Services (GNS) team. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic team environment, leading and executing large-scale network projects from planning through deployment and handover — multi-site rollouts, data centre builds, and peering and transit expansion. You will combine deep hands‑on networking expertise with proven project management skills, managing multiple concurrent projects and adapting as priorities shift.

Day to day, you will work across carrier‑grade platforms from vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, and Arista, with protocols including BGP, IS‑IS, MPLS, and IPsec, alongside the LAN/WAN and DWDM optical transport technologies that underpin our global footprint. Supporting large‑scale peering and transit networks, you will apply a sound understanding of complex traffic engineering and Internet routing policy. The role also calls for building custom applications and automation tooling to streamline network provisioning, configuration, and deployment — typically in Python using Netmiko, NAPALM, Scrapli, or REST APIs, with orchestration through Ansible, Terraform, or Jenkins, and version control in Git. The goal is measurable efficiency gains and shorter deployment times in complex environments.

This engineer will excel in a fast‑paced environment, troubleshoot complex large‑scale network issues under pressure, obsess over the customer experience, and drive excellence through strong technical leadership and mentorship. Early morning or late night calls may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a Network Engineer, including 3+ years in a project engineering or lead role on large‑scale network deployments. Fluent English (spoken and written) is required due to frequent client and stakeholder communication.
• In‑depth, hands‑on expertise across TCP/IP (v4 and v6), BGP, MPLS, and IS‑IS, with practical knowledge of LAN/WAN and DWDM optical transport, and proficiency in macOS, Linux, or other UNIX‑based systems
• Strong programming skills, particularly Python, with demonstrated experience building network automation tools and working with orchestration platforms and version control
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem‑solving skills, with a proven ability to troubleshoot complex network issues under pressure while managing multiple concurrent projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of DWDM Optical Transport technologies.
• Strong programming skills, particularly Python, with experience building ap-
• plications or tools for network automation (e.g., using Netmiko, NAPALM, Scrapli,
• or REST APIs).
• Experience with automation/orchestration platforms (Ansible, Terraform, Jenkins)
• and version control (Git).
• BS or equivalent education preferred
• Advanced industry network certifications preferred

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Role Number: 200685862-1418