Manager, Network Applications Engineering

Northern Trust•Naperville, IL

About The Position

The Manager of Network Applications Engineering is a senior technology leader responsible for the strategy, architecture, engineering, and transformation of enterprise network application services across on-premises, cloud, and data center environments. The role leads a global engineering team responsible for application delivery, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, load balancing, secure access, and network security platforms. The Manager drives technology roadmaps, engineering standards, automation initiatives, and modernization efforts to improve scalability, reliability, security, and operational efficiency. Working with infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, and business stakeholders, the Manager aligns network services with organizational objectives and evolving business needs, provides leadership during complex incidents, and supports continuous improvement of mission-critical services. The Manager ensures standards are in place, manages the technical lifecycle of products and services, and delivers change and transformation against approved designs, including smooth transition and handover to Network Operations. The role also provides escalation support, participates in an on-call rota, and works extended hours as required.

Requirements

8–10 years’ experience in network engineering solutions within a global enterprise-scale organization of 5,000–50,000 users, covering traditional data centers and cloud environments.
At least 5 years’ experience leading or managing teams.
Considerable hands-on experience in design engineering and building resilient, scalable security solutions.
Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, global financial services business models, regional compliance standards, relevant local regulations, and applicable laws.
Understanding of risk and compliance concepts and the ability to translate them into effective security solutions.
Experience with automation and orchestration, including scripting against APIs.
Strong understanding of Layer 2, Layer 3, and Layer 4–7 network and security technologies.
Familiarity with testing tools, networking technologies, and troubleshooting techniques for complex problems involving services, applications, and network hardware or software.
Background in automating monitoring, observability, health checks, and change management.
Understanding of the future impact and potential applications of Quantum technologies and AI within network infrastructure.
Expert knowledge and experience in several listed areas, including NGFW platforms and management tools, enterprise Network Access Control, Secure Web Gateway, Zero-Trust Network Access and SASE, Application Delivery and Load Balancers, public and private cloud security, workflow automation, Cisco/Arista routing and switching, DNS/IPAM/DHCP, ServiceNow integrations, SD-WAN, network monitoring and reporting, AWS/Azure networking, or AI enablement.
ITIL v3 Foundation or higher certification, or demonstrable equivalent working experience.
Relevant vendor certifications or demonstrable equivalent working experience in AWS Cloud and Azure Cloud.
Highly organized, with the ability to operate effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Strong problem-management, customer-service, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with global teams and deliver projects at pace in challenging circumstances.
Ability to interact with senior management and clearly present status updates and next steps.
Maintains high professional standards, challenges the status quo, and continually seeks better ways of working.
Promotes a team-first environment, discourages a “hero culture,” and ensures staff welfare.
Acts with integrity and embraces treating customers fairly.
Works effectively as one IT community across regions and the business, and applies Northern Trust’s working practices, policies, and procedures.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Experience in financial services or investment banking.
Experience with Check Point, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Tufin, Forescout, Cisco ISE, F5, Infoblox, Microsoft Active Directory, CyberArk, Illumio, or Zscaler (ZIA, ZPA, ZDX).

Responsibilities

Define and document Network Engineering Standards.
Create Low-Level Design documents that meet requirements outlined in High-Level Designs.
Manage budgeting and procurement activities for building and delivering new services and projects.
Ensure smooth transition and handover to Operations in line with the agreed Operational Acceptance Process.
Manage Technical Lifecycle Management for all Network & Communications services.
Support Architecture in creating and maintaining a Network Engineering Delivery Roadmap.
Support Architecture in scoping activities for producing High-Level Designs.
Support Architecture in conducting Proof of Concept activities.
Ensure team skillsets remain relevant and up to date to deliver change and provide a high level of support.
Provide escalation support to Operations for complex troubleshooting of Major Incidents as required.
Provide on-call escalation support on a rota basis and work extended hours as required.
Create performance reports and liaise between technical teams and senior management.
Support audit and compliance reporting and evidence.
Lead a global engineering team responsible for enterprise network application services.
Drive technology roadmaps, engineering standards, automation initiatives, and modernization efforts.
Work with infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, and business stakeholders to align network services with organizational objectives.
Provide leadership during complex incidents and support continuous improvement of mission-critical services.

Benefits

Retirement benefits, including 401(k) and pension.
Medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, and disability benefits.
Paid time off.
Parental and caregiver leave.
Life and accident insurance.
Other voluntary and well-being benefits.
Discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.
Flexible and collaborative work culture.
Movement within the organization is encouraged, and senior leaders are accessible.
Inclusive workplace and community-assistance culture.