Director, Network Engineering

Fleet Data Centers designs, builds and operates mega-scale data center campuses. Fleet provides its customers flexibility and predictability to meet their upside demand forecasts, addressing a key need in the market as traditional leased models are struggling to keep pace with the demand for new Cloud and AI infrastructure. Fleet is led by a team of industry veterans that have already made a lasting imprint on the evolution of global digital infrastructure and are committed and uniquely capable of upleveling data center development scale and operations in the face of rising demand. Fleet is well positioned to bring in-house design, engineering and operational capabilities to collaborate with customers on tailored solutions for campuses of 500MW+. This unique model enables Fleet to provide the world’s largest and most sophisticated customers a seamless extension of their own data center fleets with constant access to design innovation. Fleet is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with satellite offices in Seattle, WA and Arlington, VA.

Position Overview:

As the Director of Network Engineering, you will play a crucial leadership role in designing, architecting, and delivering innovative, scalable, and secure network solutions to support global cloud services. You will oversee complex, cross-functional projects across multiple regions, collaborating closely with engineering teams to ensure high availability, performance, and security across large-scale projects and a global network infrastructure.

In this role, you will serve as both a leader and a hands-on contributor, guiding the team responsible for building and maintaining the fiber infrastructure—both inside and outside plants—across Fleet’s data center campuses. Additionally, you will lead a team in defining the architecture for the internal IoT, BMS, and EPMS networks. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in either inside or outside fiber plant design, along with working knowledge of the other.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Design:
   1. Partner with customers to understand their detailed connectivity requirements (both fiber and copper).
   2. Document design standards in customer-acceptable formats.
   3. Design structured cable solutions, cable layouts and pathways. Select and utilize industry standard tools to document and convey designs.
   4. Select and deploy various copper cable types (e.g., Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, Cat8) based on data transfer speeds, distance limitations, and shielding requirements to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI).
   5. Implement designs based on Advanced knowledge of single-mode and multi-mode fiber plants, including cable designs, connector types, attenuation rates, and bandwidth capabilities.
   6. Apply knowledge of cable jackets (e.g., plenum, riser, LSZH) for appropriate fire safety and environmental standards within data centers.
   7. Assess and design structured cabling solutions, ensuring optimal performance and scalability, as well as minimal signal interference and crosstalk.
   8. Capacity Planning: Plan and manage the cabling infrastructure for current and future growth, accounting for potential increases in bandwidth, new device deployments, and changing technology standards.
2. Project and Vendor Management:
   1. Evaluate and select vendors based on the quality of materials, adherence to standards, lead times, and pricing.
   2. Demonstrate skills in sourcing materials such as fiber cables, copper cables, connectors, racks, patch panels, and cable management products.
   3. Initiate and execute requests for proposals (RFPs), negotiating contracts, and managing relationships with suppliers.
   4. Negotiate terms and service level agreements (SLAs) with material suppliers, including warranties, return policies, and compliance with industry standards.
   5. Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including data center operations, IT, construction, and facility management, to meet project milestones.
   6. Skilled in managing timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to keep cabling infrastructure projects on track.
3. Design and Management Software:
   1. Apply proficiency in AutoCAD, Visio, or specialized cabling design software to create detailed infrastructure layouts and pathway plans.
   2. Operate GIS and facility management software for accurate mapping and documentation of data center infrastructure.

Required Qualifications:

1. Experience & Expertise:
   1. 10+ years of experience in network engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal-level role managing large-scale, global networks.
   2. Extensive firsthand experience with networking in cloud environments, particularly in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or Oracle Cloud.
   3. Proven record in designing, deploying, and maintaining complex, highly scalable network infrastructure.
2. Knowledge of Standards:
   1. Knowledge of industry standards from organizations like ITU-T, ANSI/TIA, and IEEE.
   2. Familiarity with guidelines on fiber performance, bandwidth specifications, and safety codes that ensure compatibility across different providers and equipment.
   3. Expertise in local, national, and international building codes related to in-building cabling to ensure all installations meet regulatory standards.
   4. Understanding of NFPA standards for in-building cable materials and routing to ensure fire safety in dense cabling environments.
3. Leadership & Communication:
   1. Strong leadership skills, with a proven ability to manage teams and cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
   2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex networking concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
   3. Proven experience in mentoring and developing senior engineering talent.

Working Conditions:

1. This role requires occasional travel to data center sites across multiple regions (up to 25% travel).
2. Ability to work in both office environments and active construction sites, adhering to all safety protocols.
3. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear.
4. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Expected Salary Range: $132,000 – $180,000 plus Bonus.

Fleet Data Centers Employment
Fleet Data Center employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.
Fleet Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

To apply for this position or if you need assistance applying for any of our open positions, please contact us at info@fleetdatacenters.com.