Senior Network Engineer | Infrastructure & Secure Access (SASE Focus)

Why This Role Matters

District Partners is exclusively partnering with a mission-driven organization operating at a global scale that is continuing to modernize a cloud-first, distributed technology environment. Core infrastructure investments are largely in place. What has not kept pace is how secure access is designed, owned, and operated across that environment. As SaaS usage, remote access, and cloud adoption have expanded, gaps have emerged across networking, identity, and security controls. SASE is not yet fully implemented. The expectation is to bring structure, execution, and direction, with a goal of establishing a scalable framework by 2027. This is an opportunity to step into a visible, high-impact role where the work done now directly shapes how secure access operates long term.

This role is designed to close that gap while also serving as a deliberate succession hire for future infrastructure leadership. This is a hands-on engineering role first. Over time, it evolves into Director of infrastructure, with ownership expanding from execution into broader architectural direction, team leadership, and long-term infrastructure strategy.

The Basics

Title: Senior Network Engineer

Location: Washington, DC Metro Area (Hybrid)

Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $135000 to $165000 base + performance bonus + full benefits

Environment: Multi-cloud (AWS primary, Azure secondary), ~95% cloud-based

What You’ll Own

• Own day-to-day network engineering across a cloud-first environment, including routing, switching, and connectivity
• Operate hands-on across core infrastructure, from configuration through troubleshooting and optimization
• Support and improve secure access capabilities across users, applications, and cloud platforms
• Contribute to the build-out of a SASE framework, helping define direction and execution over time
• Implement and support components such as Zero Trust Network Access, Secure Web Gateway, CASB, and Firewall as a Service
• Ensure network performance, reliability, and security across distributed environments
• Align networking with identity and security controls to create more consistent access models
• Work within the existing environment to improve and extend capabilities rather than rebuild from scratch
• Bring structure and consistency to areas that are currently fragmented or loosely defined

Environment

• Lean infrastructure team with high ownership and visibility
• Highly cloud-forward with limited legacy complexity
• No formal SASE ownership in place today
• Clear executive alignment around improving secure access and infrastructure maturity
• Role begins as an individual contributor with a defined path into Director-level infrastructure leadership

Growth Path and Succession Planning

• This role is intentionally structured as a succession hire for the future Director of Infrastructure.
• The expectation is that this individual will first establish credibility through hands-on execution, owning and stabilizing core networking and secure access capabilities. From there, responsibility expands into setting technical direction, influencing infrastructure decisions, and driving consistency across the environment.
• As SASE capabilities are defined and implemented, this role becomes the natural owner of that domain, building both the technical foundation and the operating model around it.
• Over time, scope grows to include broader infrastructure oversight, mentorship of junior engineers, and participation in strategic planning alongside leadership. The transition into Director of Infrastructure is not tied to tenure alone but to demonstrated ownership, technical leadership, and the ability to scale both systems and processes.
• This is not a backfill. It is a forward-looking hire designed to build the next layer of infrastructure leadership from within.

What You Bring

• Strong hands-on networking background across routing, switching, and core infrastructure
• Experience working in cloud environments such as AWS and/or Azure
• Exposure to modern secure access concepts such as SASE or SSE
• Working knowledge of Zero Trust, SaaS security, and cloud-delivered networking models
• Ability to operate across both networking and security without over-specializing in one silo
• Comfortable doing the work directly, from configuration to problem resolution
• Low ego, high ownership mindset with willingness to handle both foundational and strategic work
• Interest in growing into broader infrastructure leadership over time

A Few Things Worth Knowing

• This is not a pure architecture or strategy role. Execution matters
• The team needs someone who will step in and handle everything from router and switch configuration to higher-level design input
• SASE is a forward-looking priority, not a fully built environment today
• The role is structured as succession planning for future infrastructure leadership
• Visibility is high, and impact is immediate