Principal IT Engineer - Network Operations

Cegal AS; Sandnes; On-site; NOK 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Cegal is seeking a Principal IT Engineer in Network Operations to define and drive direction for global network services at scale. You will own architecture, govern standards across regions, and lead the transition to software‑defined, policy‑driven and IaC based models.

You will engage in major incidents, enforce standardization, and shape operating models with a pragmatic, architecture‑driven approach. A 15+ year track record in complex networks and cloud networking is expected, with strong

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in network engineering.
• Strong expertise in network architecture for large-scale environments.
• Experience with SD-WAN, SDN and cloud networking.
• Experience with IaC and automation tooling.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic direction for network operations across customers and regions.
• Govern target architecture for network services across platforms.
• Lead transition from device-centric networking to software-defined models.
• Set design principles and ensure alignment with long-term strategy.
• Engage in major incidents requiring principal-level judgement.
• Enforce standardization across diverse customer environments.
• Define how ServiceNow underpins operating model and governance.
• Own lifecycle strategy and automation principles for network services.
• Drive transformation to platform-based operating models.

Skills

Network architecture

Incident management

Cloud networking

Infrastructure as Code

Tools

ServiceNow

Terraform

SD-WAN

Kubernetes

Job description

Principal IT Engineer - Network Operations

Are you an expert in network architecture who defines direction in complex environments, is trusted in critical situations? Got a track record of defining and implementing strategic direction for next‑generation network infrastructure and services and are looking for your next global challenge?

We are looking for a Principal IT Engineer in Network Operations who applies deep technical expertise to define and drive direction for network services at scale.

You will hold a central role in defining how global network operations are designed, standardized and governed , operating at scale across 200+ customers with diverse and complex environments, requiring consistent architecture and operating models.

What you will do

Own and define the strategic direction for network operations in Cegal

Accountable for defining and governing the target architecture for network services across customers, platforms, and regions.

Drive the transition from device‑centric networking to software‑defined, policy‑driven, and Infrastructure‑as‑Code based models

Set and govern design principles and decisions across teams, ensuring alignment with long‑term strategy and operational realities

Engage in major incidents where resolution requires principal‑level judgement impacting architecture, standards, or future design.

Drive and enforce standardization principles across a highly diverse customer landscape

Define how ServiceNow and supporting platforms underpin the operating model, data foundations and service governance.

Own lifecycle strategy, automation principles, and how network services are built, operated, and evolved.

Drive the transformation to platform‑based operating models and ensure adoption across teams.

About the role

As a Principal IT Engineer, you operate as a recognized expert in your field, combining deep and broad expertise with the responsibility to define and set direction across the organization.

In this role, you will:

Own and drive resolution of critical and complex problems impacting service design, scalability, and long‑term direction for network.

Define and lead cross‑team initiatives that shape standards, architecture, and operating models.

Take ownership of technical direction, standards, and key decisions within your area

Act as a role model and mentor, supporting colleagues in developing their skills and approach

Define and implement structural improvements to operating models and service design

Represent network architecture and service design in high‑impact or complex stakeholder interactions when required

Success in this role is defined by your ability to establish clear direction, ensure adoption of standards, and deliver scalable and consistent network services globally.

Who are you?

You are a recognized expert with deep and broad expertise that can be trusted in critical situations with strong architectural thinking and a structured, pragmatic approach. At Cegal, Principals typically have at least 15 years' of experience. You are comfortable navigating complexity and making decisions where multiple stakeholders, technologies, and customer requirements meet.

You lead through recognised expertise, shaping decisions, alignment, and direction across teams without formal authority You enjoy improving how things are done by addressing root causes and driving lasting improvements.

We believe you have:

Strong experience from complex network environments, ideally combining operations and solution architecture

Deep understanding of network architecture, cloud networking, and virtualized environments

Experience designing or evolving towards SD‑WAN, SDN, and cloud‑native networking models

Solid experience handling critical incidents and complex troubleshooting in high‑availability environments

Understanding of Infrastructure as Code and automation concepts (e.g. Terraform/Bicep, Git‑based workflows)

Ability to drive standardization across diverse environments and customer setups

Proven experience and technical credibility matter more than formal education

Why us?

Cegal is the place for people who want to have an impact! What makes us unique is the combination of deep energy industry expertise, advanced technology and scalable delivery models. What we do can be seen in real‑world outcomes and on bottom‑lines, not just on powerpoint slides. While we are big enough to have work with global customers, we are still small enough for you to make a real difference and stand out. With colleagues from 40+ nationalities, diverse perspectives strengthen outcomes and good ideas travel fast. If you like improving how things are done, you'll have room to do it here! We value people who lean forward, take ownership and create clarity in complex environments. We believe great things happen when we dare to raise the bar for ourselves and each other, driven by our values of accountability, innovation, proactivity and fuss fighting.

What's in it for you?

Working in Cegal you have great opportunities for professional development and social engagement:

Career paths - Advance your career with trainee programs, mentorship, growth dialogue.

Influence - Ideal company size - global impact, yet room for you stand out and make a difference

Professional growth - Benefit from a training budget and dedicated time for learning and growth, while enjoying access to digital courses and our very own certification center.

Fun at work - 870+ employees, 20+ social clubs, including football, game nights, wine tasting, and company trips.

Technology - We are passionate about new tech. Test the latest technologies and learn how to implement them in real‑world scenarios.

Work-life balance - Enjoy a supportive and flexible work environment that enables you thrive both professionally and personally.

Social impact - Support diversity in the tech industry through our humanitarian and advocacy programs or platinum partnership with the Oda Network

Want to know more about these and other benefits? Visit our careers page: https://www.cegal.com/en/careers/working-at-cegal

As a candidate you will need to have a valid working visa for Norway. Cegal does not sponsor visas. Finalist candidates will be asked to consent to a background check according to our security routines.

• Infrastructure as code (IaC)
• ServiceNow
• Software-defined networking
• Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN)
• Terraform

Global technology company, specialized in the energy sector, that transforms complex IT into digital success stories. By delivering modern industrial software, world‑class consulting services, and mission‑critical cloud solutions, we shape the digital future.

With 900 employees in nine countries, we are growing to become a leading global technology company for the energy industry, and we contribute to the green shift.