Director - Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering

United's Digital Technology team is comprised of many talented individuals all working together with cutting-edge technology to build the best airline in the history of aviation. Our team designs, develops and maintains massively scaling technology solutions brought to life with innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions. Job Overview and Responsibilities Enterprise Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering is leading a bold transformation for United Airlines, infusing AI-driven automation, modern network infrastructure security, and next-generation engineering and IoT into every layer of our global network. This role owns that transformation, architecting and securing the enterprise software-defined network across our campuses, airports, remote workforce, and public cloud, while engineering an intelligent, self-healing network that predicts and prevents issues before they affect the airline. This leader will guide our technology, vendor, and people strategy as networking converges with AI/ML, cybersecurity, and cloud-native engineering. Enterprise Network Infrastructure Security & Engineering is part of our Digital Technology organization, focused on enabling the entirety of United Airlines and all of its divisions with advanced, secure, and intelligent infrastructure.

• Lead the organization's AI-driven network transformation, engineering AI/ML, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation into the network's design to build self-healing capabilities, eliminate manual configuration, and detect and prevent issues before they impact the airline
• Own network infrastructure security strategy and execution, advancing zero-trust architecture, secure access, and end-to-end network segmentation in partnership with cybersecurity leadership to protect United's critical infrastructure, data, and airline operations.
• Lead network engineering and architecture for a modern, software-defined network, advancing SD-WAN, cloud connectivity, application services, and network automation and orchestration as networking converges with the public cloud and SaaS.
• Architect and engineer secure, resilient connectivity across all airports, campus and remote offices, contact centers, cloud, and third-party network connections, embedding network security controls, threat protection, and compliance requirements into network designs and holding vendors to United's engineering and security standards.
• Lead and develop a large team of world-class network engineering and network security engineering talent focused on networking at true enterprise scale with an emphasis on secure connectivity, network access, segmentation, and infrastructure resiliency.
• Operate as a thought leader internally and externally on AI-enabled, secure, next-generation networking. Establish network architecture and infrastructure security standards, lead design and threat-model reviews, and partner with cybersecurity on vulnerability remediation and security hardening across the network.

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field
• CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent advanced network engineering certification
• 8+ years of experience in network engineering and architecture
• 5+ years of experience leading network security, cybersecurity, or zero-trust initiatives
• 5+ years of experience applying AI/ML or intelligent automation to network engineering or network security
• 5+ years of experience managing network engineering and/or network security teams at scale
• 5+ years of experience working in or adjacent to a cloud environment (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Deep expertise in network engineering and architecture, including SD-WAN, routing/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 interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or 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
• 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 in multiple disparate physical locations
• Excellent track record of vendor management at large scale
• Experience leveraging AI/ML and automation to drive network efficiency, reliability, and innovation
• Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving. Apply critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy and security