Director of Network Operations; Irvine

Director of Network Operations (Irvine, US)

AXON Networks delivers a robust AI-driven, analytics-based orchestration platform and a wide portfolio of next-gen high-speed routers that leverage the newest Wi-Fi technologies. Together, these technologies give ISPs the ability to manage and troubleshoot their networks in real time, and to deliver an outstanding customer experience.

AXON Networks is a trusted strategic partner for its customers, helping them evaluate their current technologies and business models, and creating and executing strategies that enable them to innovate faster, accelerate their digital transformations, and strengthen their relationships with consumers.

AXON Networks is headquartered in Irvine, CA USA with Asia HQ in Singapore and also operating in Denmark and Vietnam.

We are looking for a highly experienced and hands-on Director of Network Operations to lead our global networking environment. This role combines leadership, strategy, and deep technical expertise to ensure that our networks remain reliable, secure, and scalable.

• Architect, operate, and optimize large-scale, low-latency IP/MPLS and cloud networks.
• Drive automation (Python, Ansible, Terraform, APIs) to eliminate manual toil.
• Build monitoring and observability systems (Prometheus, Grafana, Net Flow, SNMP, Splunk).
• Lead the Network Operations function, including 24/7 NOC activities, capacity planning, and service availability.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of developers, engineers and operations staff.
• Define and execute operational strategy, KPIs, and SLAs to ensure uptime and customer satisfaction.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support new product launches and network initiatives.
• Oversee vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and service provider performance.
• Act as the final escalation point for critical incidents and drive root cause analysis (RCA).
• Ensure compliance with security, regulatory, and audit requirements.

• 10+ years in Network Operations/Engineering, with at least 5 years leading teams.
• Expertise in routing, switching, and large-scale IP networks (BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VXLAN).
• Strong experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Familiarity with automation and orchestration tools (Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• Experience managing mission-critical, 24/7 global network environments.
• Advanced certifications (CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent) are a plus, but hands-on skills matter more.

• A hands-on leader who can build teams and still jump into configs.
• Obsessed with reliability, automation, and “fixing things the right way.”
• Calm under pressure, sharp in a crisis, and relentless about operational excellence.
• Excited to lead by example and mentor engineers to become world-class operators.

The annual salary range for this position is $160,000 - $250,000.

AXON Networks is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates.