Director, Network Engineering – Data Centers

SB Energy; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health

401(k) with match

Paid time off + holidays

Parental leave

Life and disability insurance

Wellness programs

Hybrid office setup

Phone and data reimbursement

Job summary

SB Energy, a SoftBank Group company headquartered in Redwood City, CA, is seeking a Director of Network Engineering for its data centers. You will lead standards, design, construction, and operation of AI-focused campus networks, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, reliable infrastructure.

The role requires 10+ years in network engineering and a bachelor’s degree, with frequent travel and a base pay range of $190,000–$230,000 plus bonuses and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or related field.
• 10+ years in network engineering, telecommunications infrastructure, or data center design.
• Experience designing large-scale fiber optic and telecom systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain network and telecommunications design standards for data center campuses.
• Lead design and engineering for campus fiber networks, interconnections, and cabling systems.
• Ensure resiliency, scalability, maintainability, and operational readiness.
• Support site selection, due diligence, and carrier access decisions.
• Manage external engineering consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Review engineering data, specs, and commissioning plans.
• Collaborate with customer teams to meet networking requirements.

Skills

Network engineering

Telecommunications

Data Center design

Project leadership

Vendor management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Fiber design tools

Job description

Do you want to work with high-caliber professionals in a dynamic and growing company? Are you entrepreneurial, hard-working, and collegial? Join us at SB Energy, a leading infrastructure company backed by SoftBank Group and Ares Infrastructure, pairing cutting-edge innovation with best-in-class execution. Our mission is to deliver reliable and secure data center and power infrastructure to strengthen America's future.

Founded in 2019, SB Energy is a SoftBank Group company headquartered in Redwood City, California. In 2026, SoftBank Group and OpenAI announced a $1 billion investment to support SB Energy as their leading development and execution partner for data center campuses, while Ares Infrastructure continues its long-standing support of the company's growth. SB Energy develops, builds, owns, and operates some of the largest and most technically advanced energy and data center infrastructure projects in the United States. Since its founding, the company has rapidly grown into a top-tier integrated platform with more than 3 gigawatts (GW) in operation and a multi-GW pipeline of energy and data center infrastructure nationwide.

SB Energy also leverages a strong culture of innovation to identify and integrate new technologies into its projects, including its AI-based digital platform, delivering energy infrastructure that is local, reliable, and matched to load. We are building the energy and infrastructure future—today.

Come join us in accelerating the energy and infrastructure transition!

Basic Function:

The Director, Network Engineering – Data Centers will lead the development and implementation of network and telecommunications infrastructure standards across SB Energy's data center portfolio. This role will provide technical leadership for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, and operation of AI-focused data center campuses.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Development, Design, Construction, Operations, Utility, and Customer teams to deliver scalable, reliable, and cost-effective network infrastructure supporting hyperscale AI deployments.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain network and telecommunications design standards for data center campuses.
• Lead design and engineering efforts for campus fiber networks, carrier interconnections, structured cabling systems, and telecommunications facilities.
• Establish requirements for network resiliency, scalability, maintainability, and operational readiness.
• Support site selection and due diligence activities related to carrier access, fiber availability, and network infrastructure.
• Manage external engineering consultants, contractors, and technology vendors.
• Review engineering deliverables, construction documents, technical specifications, and commissioning plans.
• Partner with customer teams to incorporate networking and connectivity requirements into campus designs.
• Support construction, testing, commissioning, and turnover activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve design standards, reduce costs, and accelerate project delivery.
• Evaluate emerging networking technologies and industry trends to support future AI infrastructure requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in network engineering, telecommunications infrastructure, or data center design.
• Experience designing and deploying large-scale fiber optic and telecommunications systems.
• Strong understanding of structured cabling, carrier networks, optical transport systems, and network resiliency strategies.
• Experience managing engineering consultants and cross-functional project teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting hyperscale, cloud, AI, or high-performance computing environments.
• Experience with campus-scale fiber networks, carrier interconnection facilities, and network infrastructure for mission-critical facilities.
• Knowledge of BICSI, ANSI/TIA, IEEE, and telecommunications industry standards.

Base Pay: $190,000-$230,000

The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks—while ensuring internal parity across our teams. In addition to competitive base pay, total compensation may include a discretionary annual bonus and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.

At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
• Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions)
• Flexible Work Arrangements & Hybrid Office Setup Benefits
• Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
• Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
• Device Purchase Support

At SB Energy, the success of our projects is driven by a desire to see our projects benefit as many people as possible. We work to serve local communities through volunteering, fundraising, and much more. For example, we’re proud to support access and opportunity in engineering and clean energy through impactful mentorship programs and workforce training. When you join SB Energy, you can become a part of these efforts, collaborating with team members who share a vision of building a better future now!

SB Energy is built on a foundation of collaboration and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

To learn more about us, visit www.sbenergy.com.