Head of Network Automation and Systems

Company Summary
EchoStar is reimagining the future of connectivity. Our business spans satellite television service, streaming and on-demand programming, smart home installation services, 5G wireless consumer and commercial services, internet and other enterprise products.
Today, our brands include Boost Mobile, DISH TV, Gen Mobile, Hughes and Sling TV.
Department Summary
Our Wireless Technology team is transforming the future of connectivity by building and enhancing the country's first virtualized, standalone 5G wireless network from scratch. Our network is free of the limitations of the past, and flexible to satisfy all the social, economic and transformative needs of the changing world.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Candidates must be willing to participate in at least one in-person interview, which may include a live whiteboarding or technical assessment session.
Boost Mobile is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Network Automation & Systems to lead and grow our dynamic team responsible for the automation, reliability, and scalability of our critical network infrastructure to include both On Premise and virtual cloud environments. This is a pivotal role that will drive innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence across our network environment. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a strong technical background in networking and automation, coupled with exceptional leadership and communication skills. Network automation architecture and design will include the processes, scripts and other mechanisms used to manage network devices in an orchestrated, automated, zero-touch fashion including integration with higher-level end-to-end automation tools.
Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the vision, strategy, and roadmap for network automation aligned with wireless and business objectives
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of 15-25 engineers and 50-75 contractors, fostering a high-performing culture
• Drive the design, development, and maintenance of network automation solutions to improve efficiency and reduce manual errors
• Oversee scalable network infrastructure, ensuring high availability, performance, security, and proactive monitoring
• Evaluate, integrate, and manage automation platforms, tools, and technologies while collaborating across teams to avoid duplication
• Establish documentation, standards, and vendor relationships, manage budgets, resolve complex issues, and drive continuous improvement

Skills, Experience and Requirements
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience) or 10 or more years of professional experience in large enterprise, carrier, or service provider role
• 8+ years of experience leading and managing technical teams, including full-time employees and contractors

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience with cloud networking concepts and platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) is highly desirable.
• Deep working knowledge of automation tools and systems from Cisco Systems is highly desirable.
• Strong experience with network automation tools and frameworks (e.g., Ansible, Python scripting for network automation, Terraform, Netmiko, NAPALM).
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code (IaC) principles and practices.
• Familiarity with network monitoring and management tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Prometheus, Grafana).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Familiarity with Cisco systems and tools.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Cisco CCNP/CCIE, Juniper JNCIP/JNCIE, AWS Certified Network Specialist).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines for network automation.
• Experience with security automation.

Salary Ranges
Compensation: $146,300.00/Year - $209,000.00/Year
Benefits
We offer versatile health perks, including flexible spending accounts, HSA, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, career opportunities, and a flexible time away plan.
The base pay range shown is a guideline. Individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, and competencies; compensation is based on the role's location and is subject to change based on work location.
Candidates need to successfully complete a pre-employment screen, which may include a drug test and DMV check. Our company is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where every individual has the opportunity to succeed. We are dedicated to providing individuals with criminal or arrest records a fair chance of employment in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
The posting will be active for a minimum of 3 days. The active posting will continue to extend by 3 days until the position is filled.