Network Technical Project Manager

Role: Network Technical Project Manager

Location: Southern California (Remote)

Duration: 3+ Months

Overview: The organization is executing a major initiative to consolidate multiple fragmented campus networks into a unified, modernized architecture. The current environment includes independently managed networks, aging equipment nearing end-of-life, inconsistent security controls, and limited visibility. The modernization program aims to standardize operations, improve reliability, enhance security, reduce duplicative costs, and support evolving academic, research, and administrative needs.
Future-state network capabilities include:

• Leaf-spine fabrics (Campus & Data Center)
• VXLAN EVPN overlays
• Next-generation perimeter security
• 400GB+ backbone connectivity
• Unified enterprise Wi-Fi
• Zero Trust security & segmentation
• Automation through SD-WAN, monitoring, and configuration tools

The program has completed Discovery & High-Level Design and is entering detailed planning, build-out, pilot deployment, and wave-based migrations.
Summary: The Network Technical PM will lead planning, coordination, and execution across Wired, Wireless, and NAC workstreams. The PM must translate engineering requirements into actionable plans, manage risks and dependencies, drive decision-making, and ensure technical progress aligns with overall program timelines. This role requires strong technical-PM skills, advanced communication abilities, and comfort working with engineering teams with minimal oversight.
Key Responsibilities: Project & Workstream Management

• Plan, track, and manage assigned technical workstreams.
• Break down integrated schedules into actionable engineering tasks.
• Monitor daily progress, sequencing, and dependencies.
• Maintain detailed RAID logs for LLDs, configurations, build, and remediation.

Issue Resolution & Escalation

• Serve as first escalation point for technical delays or blockers.
• Escalate appropriately (internal vs. external).
• Communicate risks, impacts, and required decisions clearly.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Network Engineers, Architects, Business PM, OCM, Procurement, and Deployment teams.
• Coordinate design, build, testing, pilot execution, and migrations.
• Support requirements coordination for the internal Device Registration Portal.

Technical & Business Translation

• Understand (or quickly learn) key network concepts.
• Translate technical topics into business-friendly language.
• Present options, trade-offs, and impacts to leadership.

Required Skills: Project Management

• Strong PM/program management experience in network or infrastructure modernization.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical risks, dependencies, and multi-team workstreams.
• Highly proactive, independent, and decisive.

Technical Knowledge (Networking)

• Familiarity with:
  • Leaf-spine architectures
  • VXLAN EVPN
  • Enterprise Wi-Fi
  • WAN/Core/Border routing
  • NAC technologies
  • NGFW security
  • Zero Trust segmentation
  • SD-WAN & network automation platforms

Communication & Stakeholder Alignment

• Ability to simplify technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Skilled at managing cross-functional coordination and timelines.
• Ability to support OCM and user-impact communications.

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in large-scale network modernization.
• Familiarity with vendors like Cisco, Aruba, Juniper, Palo Alto Networks.
• Experience with SD-WAN, automation platforms, or enterprise NAC deployments.