About the Role
As the operational backbone of the network and security function, you will work closely with and report to the Lead. You will be responsible for managing and overseeing operations end-to-end, which encompasses routing and switching infrastructure, network security controls, and cybersecurity engineering, ensuring the environment is stable, secure, and audit-ready. You will prepare operational reports and presentations, conduct operational meetings, handle escalations, and manage major changes, while retaining hands-on accountability for daily operations.
Ready to apply for roles like this?
Unlock the company name and direct application link. Subscribers get instant access to fresh jobs across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, many with visa support.
Unlock employer & apply directly
Responsibilities
- Manage and oversee day-to-day network and security operations across routing, switching, and cybersecurity engineering, keeping the Lead informed of status, risks, and escalations.
- Design, configure, and maintain enterprise routing and switching infrastructure (core, distribution, access layers) to ensure high availability, performance, and resilience.
- Own the operational health of routers, switches, firewalls, and related network devices, including change management, patching, and lifecycle upgrades.
- Lead cybersecurity engineering activities across network security tooling — firewalls, IDS/IPS, NAC, VPN, and secure network architecture — in coordination with the Lead's priorities.
- Harden network device configurations against industry benchmarks (e.g., CIS) and internal security baselines; remediate findings from internal/external audits.
- Monitor network and security operations centers for incidents, anomalies, and performance degradation; drive root-cause analysis and permanent fixes.
- Prepare and present operational reports, dashboards, and presentations summarizing network/security performance, incidents, and risk posture to the Lead and stakeholders.
- Plan and run operational meetings — daily/weekly stand-ups, service reviews, and incident review sessions — driving action items to closure.
- Act as the primary escalation point for critical operational and security issues, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication to the Lead and affected teams.
- Own and handle major changes end-to-end — planning, risk assessment, change advisory board (CAB) submissions, implementation, and post-change validation.
- Coordinate cross-functional operational activities with security engineering, infrastructure, and application teams to ensure consistent security posture across the environment.
- Support capacity planning, network segmentation, and disaster recovery/business continuity design for routing and switching environments.
- Evaluate and recommend network and security tooling, vendors, and service providers; support procurement and implementation planning.
- Maintain accurate operational documentation, network diagrams, runbooks, and standard operating procedures.
- Mentor junior engineers and act as a point of escalation for complex operational or security issues, reporting outcomes to the Lead.
- Provide on-call support and respond to critical incidents outside business hours as required; travel to datacenter or client sites as needed.
Qualifications
- 8–10 years of experience in network operations and cybersecurity engineering, including direct ownership of routing and switching infrastructure.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing or coordinating multi-disciplinary operations (network + security) and reporting outcomes to a Lead or manager.
- Strong skills in preparing operational reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership and stakeholder audiences.
- Proven track record running operational meetings and driving structured escalation handling to resolution.
- Hands-on experience managing major changes, including change planning, risk assessment, CAB processes, and post-implementation review.
- Hands-on expertise with enterprise routers, switches, firewalls, and network security monitoring tools.
- Experience hardening network infrastructure against security frameworks and remediating audit findings.
- Strong troubleshooting and incident-response experience across routing, switching, and security domains.
- Excellent coordination and communication skills, with the ability to work closely with a Lead and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Willing and able to travel to datacenter/client sites and provide on-call support as needed.