Director - Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering

United Airlines•Chicago, IL

10h•$183,730 - $239,228

About The Position

United Airlines’ Digital Technology team designs, develops, and maintains large-scale technology solutions using innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions. Enterprise Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering is transforming United’s global network through AI-driven automation, modern network infrastructure security, and next-generation engineering and IoT. The position owns this transformation, architecting and securing the enterprise software-defined network across campuses, airports, remote workforces, and public cloud, while building intelligent, self-healing network capabilities that anticipate and prevent issues. The role guides technology, vendor, and people strategy as networking converges with AI/ML, cybersecurity, and cloud-native engineering. The organization enables United Airlines and its divisions with advanced, secure, and intelligent infrastructure. The director leads network transformation, security strategy and execution, modern network engineering and architecture, and secure, resilient connectivity across United’s locations and external connections. The role develops a large network and network security engineering team, establishes architecture and security standards, leads design and threat-model reviews, and partners with cybersecurity on vulnerability remediation and security hardening. The position is also a thought leader on AI-enabled, secure, next-generation networking. The base pay range is $183,730 to $239,228. The role is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards. Competitive benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, accident and disability coverage, parental leave, an employee assistance program, commuter benefits, paid holidays, paid time off, a 401(k), and flight privileges.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent advanced network engineering certification.
At least 8 years of experience in network engineering and architecture.
At least 5 years of experience leading network security, cybersecurity, or zero-trust initiatives.
At least 5 years of experience applying AI/ML or intelligent automation to network engineering or network security.
At least 5 years of experience managing network engineering and/or network security teams at scale.
At least 5 years of experience working in or adjacent to a cloud environment such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Deep expertise in network engineering and architecture, including SD-WAN, routing and switching, and software-defined networking.
Strong knowledge of network and cybersecurity principles, including zero-trust architecture, segmentation, and secure access.
Working knowledge of AI/ML and automation tools and their practical application to network engineering and security.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
Successful completion of an interview is required to meet job qualifications.
Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.

Nice To Haves

Education in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field.
CISSP, CCSP, or equivalent network/cloud security certification.
AWS, Azure, or GCP cloud certification.
AI/ML, data science, or network automation certification, or equivalent applied experience.
At least 10 years of experience in network engineering and architecture.
Excellent strategic communication and influence skills, with a passion for enablement.
Experience hiring, managing, and growing diverse teams across multiple physical locations.
Excellent track record of large-scale vendor management.
Experience using AI/ML and automation to improve network efficiency, reliability, and innovation.
Understanding of generative AI tools’ capabilities and limitations, with the ability to use them for research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving; critically validate outputs and comply with responsible AI, data privacy, and security policies.

Responsibilities

Lead AI-driven network transformation by incorporating AI/ML, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation into network design to enable self-healing capabilities, reduce manual configuration, and detect and prevent problems before they affect airline operations.
Own network infrastructure security strategy and execution, advancing zero-trust architecture, secure access, and end-to-end network segmentation with cybersecurity leadership.
Lead engineering and architecture for a modern software-defined network, including SD-WAN, cloud connectivity, application services, network automation, and orchestration.
Architect and engineer secure, resilient connectivity across airports, campuses, remote offices, contact centers, cloud environments, and third-party network connections.
Embed network security controls, threat protection, and compliance requirements in network designs, and hold vendors to United’s engineering and security standards.
Lead and develop a large team of network engineering and network security engineering professionals focused on enterprise-scale secure connectivity, network access, segmentation, and infrastructure resiliency.
Establish network architecture and infrastructure security standards and lead design and threat-model reviews.
Partner with cybersecurity on network vulnerability remediation and security hardening.
Serve as an internal and external thought leader on AI-enabled, secure, next-generation networking.