Network Subject Matter Expert( Network SME)

Role & responsibilities :

Network SME :

Role Summary: The Network SME is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and operational management of the organization's network infrastructure across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. This role includes leading the Network Operations Center (NOC) to ensure 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and performance optimization. The Network Lead will manage a team of network and NOC engineers, ensuring high availability, security, and scalability of network services.

Strategic & Governance Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of global infrastructure strategy for network services.
• Ensuring network architecture aligns with business, regulatory, and digital transformation goals.
• Establish governance frameworks for network standards, security controls, and compliance.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and support business continuity planning.

Standardization Responsibilities:

• Drive standardization of network technologies, protocols, and monitoring tools across the enterprise.
• Create and maintain baselines for network configurations, performance metrics, and operational procedures.
• Promote adoption of best practices and reference architectures to ensure consistency and reliability.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and mentor a team of network and NOC engineers.
• Oversee 24x7 NOC operations including incident management, escalation, and resolution.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and training programs.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to deliver secure and scalable network solutions.
• Plan, prioritize, and execute network-related projects.
• Maintain documentation and provide regular reports to management.

Network & Cloud Infrastructure:

• Design, deploy, and manage enterprise network infrastructure (LAN/WAN/VPN/SD-WAN).
• Integrate and manage cloud networking across platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Ensure seamless connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments.
• Supervise NOC operations including monitoring, troubleshooting, and reporting.
• Define and enforce SOPs for incident response and escalation.
• Ensure SLA adherence and continuous service availability.

Network Security & Compliance:

• Implement network security policies including firewall, IDS/IPS, and access controls.
• Manage NAC policies, secure remote access, Zscaler, Sandbox, Manager, Analyzer and Authenticator.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards.

Monitoring & Optimization:

• Utilize tools like OP Manager solutions for proactive monitoring.
• Perform root cause analysis and continuous improvement of network performance.
• Lead capacity planning and lifecycle management of network assets.

Collaboration & Vendor Management:

• Work closely with other teams for integrated operations.
• Manage vendor relationships and service contracts.
• Participate in budgeting and procurement for network and NOC tools.

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in computer science, IT, or related field.
• 5 to 8 years of experience in network engineering and operations, with 3+ years in a lead role.
• Strong experience in cloud networking (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Hands-on experience managing NOC operations and teams.
• Certifications: CCNP/CCIE or NSE 5/NSE 7, AWS/Azure Certified, ITIL.

Key Skills:

• Network architecture and cloud integration
• Strategy and Governanace
• NOC operations and incident management
• Routing protocols BGP, VPN, SD-WAN
• Network security and compliance
• Monitoring tools (OP Manager, etc.)
• Leadership, communication, and stakeholder management