This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Software Engineering – Network Automation and AI Solutions based in United States. This role leads the transformation of network engineering and operations through software engineering, automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics. You will define the strategic direction for network automation, OSS modernization, operational tooling, and AI-enabled engineering workflows. The position combines technical leadership with organizational strategy, overseeing teams that build scalable solutions for complex network environments. You will shape architectures and platforms spanning monitoring, inventory, correlation, ticketing, orchestration, and network management. The role has broad enterprise impact, helping reduce manual effort, improve reliability, accelerate incident resolution, and enhance customer outcomes. You will work closely with Engineering, Network Operations, Product, Security, Architecture, and IT leaders to align technology investments with business priorities. This is an opportunity to establish a more proactive, intelligent, and automated network operating model while fostering a high-performance engineering culture. Accountabilities: Define and execute the strategic roadmap for network automation, OSS modernization, and AI-driven operational transformation, ensuring priorities align with long-term technology and operational objectives. Lead, develop, and mentor software engineering teams responsible for network automation, OSS platforms, and operational tooling while establishing a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous learning, and customer focus. Establish architectural standards, engineering practices, and scalable solutions across network monitoring, inventory, correlation, ticketing, orchestration, and network management systems. Drive the adoption of AI, automation, orchestration, and advanced analytics to improve network operations, service delivery, engineering workflows, scalability, and operational efficiency. Identify, prioritize, and deliver high-impact automation initiatives that reduce manual processes, improve service quality and reliability, and generate measurable productivity and operational improvements. Provide technical leadership across the design, development, integration, deployment, and support of automation platforms and enterprise OSS applications. Guide large-scale operational transformation initiatives designed to accelerate incident detection and resolution while reducing process complexity and cycle times. Establish engineering performance standards, metrics, and KPIs to measure delivery excellence, automation adoption, operational impact, and business outcomes. Partner with business and technology leaders to prioritize investments and ensure automation initiatives support strategic objectives and operational priorities. Evaluate emerging technologies, AI platforms, LLM frameworks, and automation capabilities, identifying opportunities for continuous innovation and improvement. Serve as a trusted technical advisor to executive leadership on software engineering, network automation, AI strategy, and operational modernization. Communicate technical strategies, roadmap progress, transformation initiatives, and business outcomes effectively to both technical and executive audiences. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Telecommunications, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may also be considered. Minimum 12 years of experience in software engineering, network automation, OSS development, network operations, or related technical disciplines, including at least 5 years leading software development, automation, or engineering teams. Proven experience developing modern quality and automation strategies, leading large-scale automation initiatives, and driving operational transformation across complex technology environments. Strong expertise in software architecture, distributed systems, enterprise application development, and scalable technology solutions. Hands-on experience with Cisco Crosswork Network Controller (CNC) and Cisco Network Services Orchestrator (NSO), including network automation, orchestration, and service lifecycle management. Strong programming experience with Python, JavaScript, and modern software development frameworks, with the ability to provide meaningful technical direction to engineering teams. Experience designing and implementing AI-enabled automation solutions in production environments, with practical knowledge of LLMs, prompt engineering, AI orchestration frameworks, agent-based architectures, and enterprise AI adoption. Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, SSL, HTTP(S), SSH, routing, switching, network management, monitoring, and event-driven operational technologies such as SNMP, Syslog, and telemetry. Experience with OSS and operational platforms such as IBM/Tivoli Netcool, ServiceNow, Salesforce, Splunk, or similar technologies, as well as knowledge of network inventory, service assurance, fault management, and operational support systems. Familiarity with cloud-native architectures, APIs, microservices, modern integration platforms, AI governance frameworks, and responsible AI operating models. Telecommunications, fiber network, carrier, or large-scale infrastructure experience is strongly preferred, particularly in environments involving network engineering and customer-facing operational processes. Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, communication, organizational leadership, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate complex technical strategies into measurable business outcomes. Benefits Estimated base salary range of $142,600–$219,400 USD annually, with actual compensation depending on factors such as geographic location, experience, skills, certifications, and organizational needs. Eligibility for a discretionary annual incentive plan for non-sales roles. Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance. Retirement savings through a 401(k) plan. Generous paid time off, including paid parental leave. Remote work opportunity in the United States. Opportunity to lead high-impact transformation initiatives across network automation, AI, software engineering, and operational modernization. Broad executive and cross-functional exposure across Engineering, Network Operations, Product, Security, Architecture, and IT. Opportunity to shape enterprise AI adoption, automation strategy, and the future operating model for complex network environments.