
Manager, Enterprise Network Engineering
- Palo Alto, CA
- $149,700-187,100 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Role SummaryWe are seeking a Manager for Enterprise Network Engineering to lead a high-performing team responsible for the design, configuration, and standardization of network infrastructure across our commercial, workplace, and remote environments. This role ensures operational excellence through the definition and ownership of key performance indicators and plays a critical part in scaling a secure, resilient enterprise network aligned with Rivian’s business needs. As the Manager, you will be accountable for the overall design, architecture, engineering, and ongoing operations of the enterprise network, collaborating closely with internal and external teams to deliver network engineering outcomes across data centers, cloud connectivity, LAN/WAN, wireless, firewalls and IoT services. This strategic, hands-on leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the future of enterprise connectivity while developing strong engineering talent and driving operational maturity. Ideal candidates thrive in fast-paced, technically complex environments and are passionate about resilient network design, solving complex challenges, and fostering a collaborative, continuous mimprovement culture. This position will be located in either Palo Alto, CA or Irvine, CA and report to our Sr. Manager of Network Engineering
Responsibilities
- Lead a team of network engineers responsible for enterprise design standards, network configurations, deployment readiness and operational support across commercial and workplace sites
- Define and maintain network architecture and configuration standards across LAN, WAN, wireless, VPN, segmentation, remote access, DNS, load balancers and hybrid-cloud connectivity
- Drive enterprise network strategy by defining scalable design standards, evaluating emerging technologies, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure infrastructure decisions align with business growth, security requirements, long-term architectural, operational and compliance goals
- Oversee network configuration, validation, and site turn-ups by ensuring build readiness, testing, and successful go-live across new and existing environments
- Establish and maintain network engineering guidelines, documentation standards, and operational procedures for consistent delivery
- Drive network consistency, reusability, and automation to support rapid site build outs, expansion and workplace transformation
- Lead vendor evaluations, proof-of-concept testing, and adoption of new technologies that improve network performance, scalability, automation, and resilience
- Manage relationships with vendors, ISPs, and service providers to ensure service quality, timely hardware delivery, and adherence to SLAs
- Manage operational and capital budgets for networking equipment, licensing, and services
- Establish design governance processes and participate in change control and cross- functional architecture reviews
- Maintain visibility into network performance, risks, and incidents; communicate clearly with executive stakeholders through regular reporting and presentations
- Drive continuous improvement in network design, delivery quality, documentation, and operational efficiency
- Participate in incident response and root cause analysis and serve as an escalation point for escalated issues impacting network services
- Bring a hands-on approach when needed, including assisting with network configuration or physical infrastructure troubleshooting/implementation to remove blockers and ensure successful outcomes
- Promote a high-performing, inclusive engineering culture by developing career paths, mentoring, and building a strong sense of ownership and accountability
- Mentor engineers on best practices, architecture decisions, and long-term infrastructure planning
- Conduct regular 1:1s to establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations aligned with both team and company objectives, participate in quarterly performance reviews, and support career development conversations to support professional growth and skill progression
- Identify skill gaps and support upskilling through training, mentoring, and cross-training to eliminate single points of failure
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values accountability, mentorship, and continuous improvement
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent work experience.8+ years of progressive experience in large-scale enterprise networking, with at least 3–5 years in people management or technical leadership.
- Demonstrated success leading high-performing engineering teams, including mentoring, career development, performance management, and delivering large-scale site builds, expansions, or workplace transformation initiatives.
- Deep understanding and hands-on experience with enterprise network architecture and deployments across LAN, WAN, wireless, VPN, segmentation, remote access, DNS, load balancers, hybrid-cloud, and data center connectivity.
- Proficiency with routing and switching technologies (BGP, OSPF, VXLAN, SD-WAN, overlay networks) and associated vendor platforms (Cisco, Juniper, etc.).
- Experience with wireless design and survey tools (e.g., Ekahau, Hamina).
- Understanding of multi-cloud networking, software-defined networking (SDN), and automation for network configuration, deployment, and monitoring.
- Strong knowledge of network security concepts, including firewalls, segmentation, and secure design principles.
- Proven ability to drive cross-functional collaboration with facilities, IT, and external vendors, including vendor selection, relationship management, and ensuring SLA compliance.
- Experience managing operational and capital budgets for networking equipment, licensing, and services.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to serve as an escalation point during high-impact incidents.
- Excellent communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and deadlines.
- Team-oriented mindset with a proactive attitude.