Senior Network Developer 3 (IC3) – Network Region Build (NRB)

As a Senior Network Developer, you’ll participate throughout the complete network lifecycle from design validation through deployment, expansion, automation, and operational support. Responsibilities include: Lead network build and expansion projects for new OCI Regions and AI infrastructure. Deploy, operate, and support large-scale spine-leaf data center fabrics, backbone, edge, and metro networks. Execute complex network changes while continuously improving operational procedures and deployment standards. Develop new Methods of Procedure (MOPs), runbooks, and operational best practices. Partner with Program Managers and cross-functional engineering teams to deliver network projects on schedule. Participate in network architecture reviews and influence future infrastructure designs. Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across projects. Participate in on-call and operational rotations supporting critical production infrastructure. Lead troubleshooting and serve as an escalation point during high-priority network events. Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term corrective actions. Develop automation using Python and modern engineering practices to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual effort. Leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate scripting, automation, troubleshooting, documentation, and operational workflows while applying sound engineering judgment and validating all outputs. Collaborate with Network Automation teams to integrate new tooling and automation capabilities. Partner with network vendors to resolve software defects, qualify new firmware releases, and validate new hardware platforms. Engineering Culture NRB embraces automation and modern engineering practices. Engineers are encouraged to leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate software development, scripting, troubleshooting, documentation, and operational workflows while maintaining high standards for security, reliability, code quality, and operational excellence. Critical Focus Areas AI data center network deployments Large-scale spine-leaf fabrics Structured cabling, optics, and fiber troubleshooting DWDM, metro fiber, and backbone connectivity Network automation and operational tooling Network build execution and commissioning Incident response and operational excellence Root cause analysis and continuous improvement Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience working in hyperscale cloud, ISP, or large enterprise networking environments. Strong understanding of modern data center networking architectures. Experience with routing and switching protocols including BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, IPv4, IPv6, TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP. Hands-on experience with commodity Ethernet platforms, including Broadcom and NVIDIA/Mellanox-based hardware. Experience with Internet peering, backbone networking, and large-scale network operations. Proficiency with Python or another programming language used for network automation. Experience with network automation frameworks and APIs. Familiarity with YANG, OpenConfig, NETCONF, gNMI, and model-driven networking. Experience with telemetry, observability, network monitoring, and performance analysis. Knowledge of network security principles and high-availability architectures. Excellent troubleshooting, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills. Experience using AI-assisted engineering tools (such as Oracle AI, GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT Enterprise, or similar) to improve software development, automation, documentation, and operational efficiency. Preferred Experience Building and operating hyperscale cloud networks. AI or GPU cluster networking. Data center commissioning and infrastructure deployment. Fiber acceptance testing, OTDR, and structured cabling validation. Network migrations and large-scale infrastructure deployments. Vendor engagement, hardware qualification, and software validation. Automation-first operational mindset with a focus on continuous improvement. Travel Requirement: This role requires 50%+ travel, which typically means traveling at least once per month to OCI data centers—including Abilene, Texas, and other major AI deployment locations—to support network builds, commissioning, troubleshooting, and critical infrastructure milestones. Key Responsibilities Network Design, Development, and Validation: -Designs and develops advanced network fabric and systems to support large-scale enterprise, data center, or cloud-based networking environments. -Validates production networks and develops scaling strategies for varied use cases. -Participates in the network solution and architecture design/validation process, providing expertise and guidance. -Identifies and assesses complex risks in network design before deployment, recommending mitigations. -Collaborates with vendors and internal groups (e.g., quality assurance) to ensure hardware, firmware, software, and cloud network code. -Designs playbooks for investigations to resolve common issues related to network areas. -Analyzes network workflows and proposes optimizations to enhance performance and efficiency. Automation and Scripting: -Designs and builds moderately complex modules within moderately complex automation frameworks for testing and operations to enhance efficiency. -Automates critical network tasks, including production and lab environments and optimizes repetitive support functions to improve processes. -Builds and customizes moderately complex dashboards, telemetry systems, and alerting mechanisms to proactively monitor network health. -Writes and enhances advanced scripts to automate routine tasks across teams and business units. -Uses and adjusts infrastructure pipelines, configuration items, using established playbooks and resources. -Independently configures tools to meet requirements of new products or services. Testing and Quality Assurance: -Develops standalone, moderately complex test cases and test strategies to ensure and enhance network integrity. -Serves as technical lead for test practices and strategies, providing guidance to the team and collaborating with other internal stakeholders in the development of robust testing protocols. -Implements new approaches to improve break-fix validation and post-event root cause analysis (RCA), ensuring issues are resolved and lessons are integrated within the team. -Conducts L1 network change reviews and creates and presents network changes to change management review boards. -Collaborates with stakeholders to validate systems and environments through pre-production testing, ensuring compliance with internal standards prior to deployment. -Provides audit documentation and evidence as part of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) to ensure alignment with governance and security requirements. Monitoring and Reliability: -Works with others (e.g. monitoring teams) to maintain advanced dashboards, telemetry systems, and alerting mechanisms to monitor network health, including defining metrics, trends, and thresholds to ensure service level objectives (SLOs). -Uses tools from the monitoring team to monitor alerting systems and provides feedback to enhance the detection and diagnosis of network anomalies. -Participates in operational support rotations, providing guidance in incident response and root cause investigations, and collaborating with stakeholders across team to resolve escalated issues. -Develops and enhances tools and solutions for frontline support teams to drive efficiencies in responding to network failure conditions. Cross-Team Collaboration and Leadership: -Works alongside project program managers and uses templated project plan to ensure achievement of critical test and deployment milestones and project alignment. -Mentors junior engineers and provides subject matter expert (SME) guidance on technical issues. -Engages wi