Director of Network Observability

Position Title: Director of Network Observability

Location: Dallas, Austin, Ashburn

Your role The Director of Network Observability drives strategic visibility and performance optimization across service provider network infrastructure. This leadership position combines technical expertise with team management to deliver comprehensive network monitoring, analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives that directly support business objectives.

Join a team where network expertise directly influences strategic decision-making and business outcomes. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of network operations while working with cutting-edge technologies and leading industry professionals. You'll be instrumental in building resilient, observable network infrastructure that enables organizational success and innovation.

The role provides significant autonomy to drive technical excellence while collaborating with cross-functional teams that value both practical solutions and strategic thinking.

What you’ll do

Strategic Leadership & Vision Design and execute network observability strategies that align with organizational goals while driving digital transformation initiatives. Lead the evolution from legacy monitoring systems to modern, scalable observability platforms that provide actionable insights across multi-vendor environments.

Team Management & Development Build and mentor high-performing teams of network engineers and observability specialists. Manage internal staff alongside subcontractor relationships, ensuring seamless collaboration and knowledge transfer. Foster a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.

Technical Architecture & Implementation Oversee the selection, deployment, and optimization of enterprise-grade monitoring tools including ScienceLogic, Splunk, and IP Fabric. Drive refactoring initiatives that modernize legacy systems while maintaining operational continuity across MPLS, IP, and Segment Routing environments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with DevOps, security, application development, and business stakeholders to integrate observability data into broader operational workflows. Lead OSS/BSS/CRM tool integration projects that enhance service delivery and customer experience.

Incident Response & Performance Optimization Establish robust incident management processes that minimize business impact through rapid detection and resolution. Analyze network performance data to identify bottlenecks, security threats, and optimization opportunities before they affect operations. Lead response to network incidents.

Automation & Process Innovation Champion automation initiatives using Python and Ansible to streamline provisioning workflows and reduce manual intervention. Design scalable processes that support both current operations and future growth.

What you’ll need

Technical Foundation

• 15+ Years experience in multi-vendor network environments (Cisco, Juniper, Arista)
• 15+ Years proficiency in Linux system administration and Fortinet security platforms
• 15+ Years database skills including SQL and key-value stores, with SRE methodology experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of service delivery models: DIA, data center, IX, peering, Circuit Emulation, MPLS, VPLS, Segment Routing, and stretched Layer 2

Leadership & Management

• Proven track record leading technical teams through complex system modernization projects
• Experience managing subcontractor relationships and coordinating multi-vendor partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers while maintaining project timelines and deliverables
• Strong communication skills for translating technical concepts to business stakeholders

Strategic Capabilities

• Experience guiding large-scale refactoring projects from legacy to modern architectures
• Skills in policy management, database integration, and secure remote access solutions
• Understanding of cloud networking and hybrid infrastructure observability
• Knowledge of current industry trends and emerging technologies in network monitoring

Core Competencies

Technical Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of enterprise networking technologies, monitoring platforms, and observability frameworks with hands-on experience in policy management and automation.

Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance immediate operational needs with long-term architectural vision, ensuring network observability investments support business growth.

Team Leadership: Proven capability to inspire and develop technical teams while managing complex stakeholder relationships and external partnerships.

Problem-Solving: Advanced analytical skills for diagnosing complex network issues and implementing systematic solutions that prevent recurrence.

Communication: Exceptional ability to present technical findings to diverse audiences and build consensus around strategic initiatives.

A bit about us

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company’s global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx®) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 28 countries on six continents.

To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

A bit about our Digital team

Our IT team is at the heart of our business. We develop infrastructures, design and build networks, support servers and provide the first line of support by delivering rich connectivity for our customers. With new data centers coming online all the time, it’s a rapidly changing technical environment so our team is always ready to innovate and take the lead on projects. We constantly develop, deploy and support vital networks and data services that drive business performance and improve life for customers around the globe.

What we can offer you

Our rapidly evolving business sector offers the opportunity to be part of a courageous and passionate team who work together to understand and meet the changing needs of our global customers.

Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment where you can bring your whole self to work. As part of our team, you’ll get to work with people from different business areas, challenge the way we do things and put your ideas into action. We’ll also give you plenty of development opportunities so you can build a rewarding and successful career with us.

Our Compensation Philosophy

Digital Realty offers its employees a highly competitive compensation package, excellent benefits, and an environment that recognizes and rewards your contributions. Central to our compensation philosophy is rewarding our employees for achieving the values and objectives aligned to the company's overall goals and values.

This is an exciting time to join our business so apply now and make your mark on our future.

Notes:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Digital Realty is an equal opportunity employer, EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled. All applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or other status protected by law or Company policy.

Digital Realty is a publicly traded company (NYSE: DLR) with investment grade ratings from all three major ratings agencies.

Please do not forward unsolicited resumes to any employee of Digital Realty and its subsidiaries. Digital Realty is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited referrals.