Senior Network Engineer (US - Bay Area)

Fortanix; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Volunteer Time Off

Internet stipend

401k

Job summary

Fortanix is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to build, operate, and evolve the network infrastructure behind our global SaaS platform. This hands-on role focuses on automation and modern networking across data centers, cloud, Linux, and virtualized environments.

You will own end-to-end networking, from deployment to monitoring and improvement, including the Santa Clara lab infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on network engineering experience
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, security, load balancing
• Experience deploying, operating, and troubleshooting data center network infrastructure
• Automation-first mindset using Python, Ansible, Bash
• Experience with SDN/NFV or virtualized networking
• Experience with cloud or hybrid networking
• Experience with network monitoring, observability, incident response
• Ability to troubleshoot complex infrastructure problems independently
• Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills
• Ownership mindset and proactive approach

Responsibilities

• Deploy, operate, and improve data center network infrastructure, including routing, switching, security, load balancing, and connectivity
• Support network infrastructure across data center, cloud, and virtualized environments, ensuring reliability, scalability, performance, and security
• Own networking for our Santa Clara lab environment, including deployments, maintenance, troubleshooting, and occasional hands-on data center support
• Automate network provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and operational tasks using Python, Ansible, Bash, or similar tools
• Configure and manage network infrastructure, with a significant portion running on Juniper and JunOS
• Work with SDN, NFV, and virtualized network environments
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues across network, Linux OS, and application layers
• Partner with Engineering, SaaSOps, and Customer Success teams to deploy and support networking solutions across private and public cloud
• Monitor network health and performance, identify issues, and improve observability and reliability
• Participate in on-call rotation for mission-critical network services
• Coordinate data center visits for deployment, maintenance, and support
• Evaluate new networking technologies and contribute to standards, documentation, automation, and best practices

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Python automation

Linux troubleshooting

Cloud networking

Collaboration

On-call support

Tools

Juniper devices & JunOS

Ansible

Bash

Python

Linux

AWS/Azure/GCP

Job description

About Fortanix

In today's world, where data spreads across various clouds and devices, traditional security measures aren't enough. Businesses need a dynamic approach to defend against constant cyber threats and ensure agile data security. Fortanix leads the way in data-centric cybersecurity for hybrid multicloud environments, using advanced cryptography, encryption, and confidential AI solutions. As data breaches become more frequent and traditional defenses fall short, we focus on data exposure management to keep your information safe. Our unified data security platform addresses vulnerabilities in hybrid multicloud environments, defends against threats, and makes it easier to discover, assess, and fix data exposure risks. Whether implementing a Zero Trust model or preparing for the post-quantum computing era, we help businesses worldwide protect their most sensitive data, wherever it is. Our commitment to solving the world's toughest data security challenges has earned Fortanix multiple Cybersecurity Excellence and Innovation Awards, as well as recognition from industry giants such as NVIDIA, Microsoft, Intel, ServiceNow, and Snowflake. Our team includes industry leaders and cryptography experts, creating a culture of trust, innovation and collaboration where every voice is valued. Recognized as a Great Place to Work, we're looking for passionate individuals to help us shape the future of data security and work towards a safer digital future.

Why work with us

We're seeking passionate people to work with us to change the very idea of how people use cloud computing. We take pride in making Fortanix a great place to work. Coworkers recognize that great ideas can come from anyone, and everyone is encouraged to jump in, contribute, and ask questions. In tackling the hardest problems, we believe that working together will produce better solutions.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a Senior Network Engineer to help build, operate, and evolve the network infrastructure behind our global SaaS platform. This is a hands-on, automation-focused network engineering role for someone who enjoys working across data center, cloud, Linux, and virtualized network environments. You'll own networking end-to-end—from deployment and configuration to monitoring, troubleshooting, automation, and continuous improvement. You don't need to be a pure network architect, but you should have strong networking fundamentals, understand how modern network infrastructure is designed, and be able to independently troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions with limited direction. You'll work closely with Engineering, SaaSOps, and Customer Success teams and will also help own our lab and data center network infrastructure in Santa Clara.

What You'll Do

• Deploy, operate, and improve data center network infrastructure, including routing, switching, network security, load balancing, and connectivity
• Support network infrastructure across data center, cloud, and virtualized environments, ensuring reliability, scalability, performance, and security
• Own networking for our Santa Clara lab environment, including deployments, maintenance, troubleshooting, and occasional hands-on data center support
• Automate network provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and operational tasks using Python, Ansible, Bash, or similar tools
• Configure and manage network infrastructure, with a significant portion of our environment running on Juniper and JunOS
• Work with software-defined networking (SDN), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), and virtualized network environments
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues across network, Linux operating system, and application layers
• Partner with Engineering, SaaSOps, and Customer Success teams to deploy and support networking solutions across private and public cloud environments
• Monitor network health and performance, identify potential issues, and improve network observability and operational reliability
• Participate in an on-call rotation supporting mission-critical network services
• Coordinate and execute occasional data center visits for infrastructure deployment, server maintenance, and operational support
• Evaluate new networking technologies and contribute to technical standards, documentation, automation, and infrastructure best practices

Requirements

• Approximately 5+ years of hands-on network engineering experience, or equivalent experience demonstrating strong networking expertise
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, network security, load balancing, and common routing protocols
• Hands-on experience deploying, operating, and troubleshooting data center network infrastructure
• Experience working with Linux systems and troubleshooting issues across network, operating system, and application layers
• An automation-first mindset with experience using Python, Ansible, Bash, or similar tools to automate network configuration and operations
• Experience with software-defined networking (SDN) and familiarity with Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) or virtualized networking environments
• Experience supporting networking in cloud or hybrid infrastructure environments
• Experience with network monitoring, observability, performance optimization, and production incident response
• Ability to independently troubleshoot complex infrastructure problems and implement solutions with limited direction
• Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across engineering teams
• A proactive, ownership-driven approach and interest in continuously improving how network infrastructure is deployed and operated

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience with Juniper networking platforms and JunOS
• Strong Cisco experience may also be considered, particularly for candidates with strong networking, Linux, and automation experience
• Experience supporting infrastructure for a SaaS, software, or technology product company
• Experience working across both physical and virtualized network infrastructure
• Experience with public cloud networking in AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Experience owning or supporting lab or data center environments
• Experience developing network automation, infrastructure tooling, or configuration-management solutions

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines strong networking fundamentals with a modern infrastructure mindset. You may come from a traditional networking background, but you should be comfortable working beyond routers and switches—using Linux, automation, cloud technologies, and software-defined networking to operate infrastructure at scale. You don't need to check every box. If you have strong networking fundamentals, are hands-on, enjoy troubleshooting complex infrastructure problems, and are interested in expanding your skills across automation and modern network technologies, we'd like to hear from you.

Benefits

What we offer:

• We offer a collaborative work environment, amazing equity, great benefits, competitive salary, and the opportunity to redefine cloud computing.
• Unlimited PTO (it's between you and your work!)
• 40 hours of Volunteer Time Off/year
• Internet stipend
• Friendly culture that brings the best out of everybody
• 401k

Base salary offers for this position may vary based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. Some positions may include additional compensation in the form of bonus, equity or commissions. We offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Retirement Savings, Wellness Program, Short-and Long-Term Disability, Holidays, and more. The base compensation range for this role is $120,000 - $150,000/ Year.

Fortanix is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace with equal opportunity for all applicants and teammates. Our goal is to recruit the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other status.