Manager - Global Network Operations

Plexus Corp.; Neenah (WI); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Plexus Corp. is seeking a strategic leader to manage our global network operations, including SD-WAN, LAN, Wi‑Fi, and GCP connectivity. You will drive modernization of our digital backbone, ensure zero-downtime connectivity, and guide a global team of network engineers across regions.

The role emphasizes network automation, IaC, and a strong collaboration with manufacturing OT to secure shop-floor networks and integrate with cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Network Engineering, or a related field
• Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred
• 5+ years enterprise network engineering experience; 10+ years in IT preferred
• 3+ years leadership or engineering management with distributed global teams
• Proven SD-WAN transformations and SASE/ZTNA deployments
• Deep knowledge of GCP cloud networking (Shared VPCs, Cloud Interconnect)
• IaC tools: Terraform, Ansible, Python, Git/GitOps
• Core protocols: BGP, OSPF, MP-BGP, VXLAN, IPv4/IPv6

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end lifecycle and 24/7 operation of WAN, SD-WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, and GCP networking environments
• Drive transition to IBN and AIOps, translating policies into declarative state
• Optimize connectivity between on-prem sites, factory edges, and GCP using SASE and ZTNA
• Deliver modern EVPN-VXLAN leaf-spine datacenter fabrics and right-size footprints
• Lead Network as Code with CI/CD automation
• Partner with manufacturing OT to deploy and protect shop-floor networks
• Direct and mentor a global network engineering team; establish SLAs and observability
• Manage contracts and relationships with carriers and hardware vendors

Skills

BGP

OSPF

EVPN-VXLAN

IPv4/IPv6

SD-WAN

SASE

GCP Networking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Network Engineering, or a related field

Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Python

Git/GitOps

Job description

Our commitment to pay range transparency fosters an equitable workplace, where everyone can feel valued. The annual compensation range for this position is stated below. The salary offered within this range will be based upon the geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level. Salary Range:

$112,600.00 - $169,000.00

At Plexus, lead technology-driven initiatives as part of a winning team, focused on creating products that build a better world.

Position Overview:

Manager, Global Network Operations is a strategic role responsible for the engineering and operational evolution of our core enterprise networking ecosystem. You will be a key technical leader for solutions spanning our global SD-WAN footprint, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) connectivity, Intent-Based Networking (IBN), and factory-edge/OT environments. The ideal candidate is a deep-thinking strategic leader able to operationalize scalable, robust, and secure network architectures. You will be instrumental in modernizing our digital backbone, right-sizing datacenter fabrics, and ensuring seamless, zero-downtime connectivity across our enterprise, from local manufacturing plants to global cloud landing zones.

Key Responsibilities

• Global Network Strategy & Execution: Own the end-to-end lifecycle, and 24/7 operational performance of enterprise WAN, SD-WAN, LAN, Wi‑Fi, and GCP cloud networking environments.
• Software-Defined & Intent-Based Networking: Drive the transition toward Intent-Based Networking (IBN) and AIOps, translating business policies into declarative network state and automated closed-loop assurance.
• GCP Cloud & SASE Architecture: Optimize resilient, low-latency connectivity between on-premise sites, factory edge nodes, and GCP (Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Router, Shared VPCs) utilizing SASE and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) frameworks.
• Datacenter Fabric Right-Sizing: Deliver modern EVPN-VXLAN Leaf-Spine datacenter fabrics; manage the compression and optimization of on-premise hardware footprints as workloads migrate into GCP.
• Network Automation & IaC: Lead a "Network as Code" strategy, driving continuous integration and automated change management via Terraform, Ansible, Python, and GitOps workflows.
• IT/OT Convergence & Manufacturing Integration: Partner with manufacturing and OT security teams to deploy, segment, and protect shop‑floor networks (Purdue Model, industrial firewalls) and plant‑floor compute nodes.
• Governance & Global Team Leadership: Direct and mentor a team of high‑performing network engineers across regions). Establish operational standards, SLOs/SLAs, observability metrics, and seamless escalation paths with the Global NOC.
• Carrier & Vendor Management: Manage commercial contracts, SLAs, and relationships with global ISP carriers, telecom providers, and hardware vendors.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Network Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
• 5+ years of related experience in enterprise network engineering required, 10+ years of progressive experience in IT preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in a technical leadership or engineering management role overseeing distributed global teams preferred.
• Proven track record leading enterprise-wide SD-WAN transformations (e.g., Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto) and SASE/ZTNA deployments (e.g., Prisma).
• Deep functional and technical knowledge of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) cloud-native networking (Shared VPCs, Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Router, VPC Service Controls).
• Demonstrated experience designing EVPN-VXLAN Leaf-Spine topologies, micro-segmentation, and right-sizing hybrid/on‑premise datacenter networks during active cloud migrations.
• Proficiency in managing network infrastructure through automation pipelines using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Ansible, Python, and Git/GitOps.
• Expert knowledge of core protocols including BGP (multi‑homing, path selection), OSPF, MP‑BGP, VXLAN overlays, and IPv4/IPv6 enterprise addressing schemes.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex network requirements into clear, conceptual guidance for executive leadership.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience with industrial/manufacturing OT network security concepts and standards (e.g., IEC 62443, industrial firewalls, plant‑floor LAN/Wi‑Fi) preferred.
• Experience with Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) and full‑stack observability tools such as ThousandEyes, Dynatrace, or Wireshark preferred.
• Possesses expertise in leading cloud-native networking architectures across Google Cloud Platform, with GCP Professional Cloud Network Engineer or CCIE certification preferred.
• Hands‑on expertise with Cisco Enterprise Networking solutions, including Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) and Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center), preferred.
• Experience managing enterprise-grade Cisco Voice/UC (Unified Communications) architectures preferred.
• Proficiency with Palo Alto Networks Next‑Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and security management platforms preferred.