The New York Public Library
Associate Director, Network Engineering
The New York Public Library, New York, New York, United States, 10286
Associate Director, Network Engineering
The Associate Director, Network Engineering leads NYPL's network infrastructure strategy, operations, and team to ensure secure, reliable connectivity across all library locations. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for the architecture, deployment, performance, and security of NYPL's wired, wireless, cloud-based, and telecommunications networks. Supporting over 92 locations the role collaborates with IT, Capital Planning, and external partners to drive technology modernization while managing risk and maintaining operational excellence. The role also supports the architectural design and network strategy of community-based internet service projects that extend NYPL's reach beyond its physical branches. We are looking for someone we can count on to: Own strategic direction and daily operation of NYPL's enterprise network infrastructure Fortinet ecosystem including FortiGate firewalls, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiManager Cisco Networks switching and routing environment AWS networking infrastructure including routing and site-to-site VPN connectivity Telecommunications architecture and vendor relationships Network Engineering team performance, resource planning, and career development Development, reporting, and execution of KPIs, SLAs, and performance metrics Network security architecture and controls at Internet, datacenter, cloud, and access layers Management of E-Rate and data/telecommunications agreements. Teach: Mentor and develop engineering staff, fostering technical growth and leadership readiness Build organizational understanding of network services and infrastructure dependencies Drive collaborative awareness of network impact across capital projects and IT initiatives Learn: NYPL's unique operational and public service challenges across distributed sites Evolving best practices for hybrid network design in public and nonprofit sectors Tools and processes to improve security, monitoring, automation, and accountability Improve: Infrastructure resilience, uptime, and performance monitoring Cross-team collaboration, planning alignment, and incident response maturity Network team communication practices, leadership depth, and technical documentation Some expectations for this role are that within: 1 month, this person will: Build strong relationships with IT, Cybersecurity, and Capital Planning teams Begin assessing NYPL's network health, architecture, and documentation Familiarize with existing performance metrics, tools, and team capabilities Conduct hands-on validation of network and firewall configurations, VPN tunnels, and WAN circuit health 3 months, this person will: Develop a roadmap for future network upgrades, tooling improvements, and staffing Ensure core monitoring, ticketing, and configuration tools are optimized and operational Begin tracking and reporting service delivery metrics aligned to team goals Lead expert-level troubleshooting and resolution of high-complexity technical issues across network, cloud, and security systems 6 months and beyond, this person will: Demonstrate leadership in cross-functional planning and project execution Deliver measurable improvements in uptime, incident response, and team performance Lead and support strategic initiatives expanding NYPL's digital and physical network presence Lead detailed documentation refresh across network diagrams, runbooks, and failover procedures Responsibilities Core Responsibilities: Lead and participate in architecture, deployment, and administration of NYPL's enterprise network (Cisco routers/switches, Fortinet firewalls, Aerohive WiFi, AWS networking components) Manage connectivity across 94+ locations using dark fiber, MPLS, high-speed circuits, secure cloud connections, and telecom infrastructure Maintain network security through segmentation, firewall policies, VPNs, and NAC integration Own the Fortinet stack including FortiAnalyzer reporting and FortiManager configuration workflows Administer AWS networking, including VPC design, Direct Connect, security groups, route tables, and VPN management Lead technical planning and implementation for capital projects and new site builds Guide incident response efforts and serve as Tier-3 escalation point for network issues Define and report on network KPIs including uptime, latency, incident resolution time, and SLA adherence Lead vendor assessments, equipment evaluations, and procurement processes Provide network architecture and support for community-based internet service programs extending Library access beyond brick-and-mortar locations Track and manage all network circuits and connectivity services, including E-rate bidding, contract renewals, and spend management Collaboration & Communication: Partner with Capital Planning on infrastructure design and timing alignment Coordinate with Cybersecurity, IT, and Service Delivery teams to ensure end-to-end service health Clearly communicate risks, project status, and metrics to IT and Library leadership Lead cross-functional working groups on network-related change initiatives Work closely with Finance and IT Strategy to track circuit expenditures. Optimize utilization of Jira and Product Management principles to track and report on work. Required Education, Experience & Skills
Required Education & Certifications: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent professional experience CCNP or equivalent certification in routing, switching, or security Valid Drivers License Required Experience: Minimum 8 years of experience administering enterprise-scale network infrastructure across distributed environments Minimum 5 years of direct team management experience in complex organizational settings Experience with public sector, nonprofit, or mission-aligned organizations Proven experience managing telecom and ISP vendor relationships and infrastructure contracts Required Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences Strong leadership and people management skills; demonstrated ability to build and motivate high-performing teams Advanced troubleshooting skills and capacity to operate under pressure during critical incidents Hands-on expertise with firewalls and platforms (FortiGate, Cisco, etc.) Hands-on expertise of Cisco IOS, switching/routing protocols (BGP, EIGRP), VPN, ACLs, and LAN security Hands-on expertise managing enterprise WiFi solutions (Meraki, Extreme, etc.). Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid environments Familiarity with network performance and security monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Cacti, WhatsUp) Strong knowledge of telecom infrastructure and connectivity strategies for distributed sites Proven ability to define and measure performance metrics, KPIs, and service outcomes Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct management of a team with focus on developing both technical and soft skills. This position reports to the Senior Director, ITIO & Cybersecurity and coordinates executive communications through established IT leadership and communication channels. More...
Core Values: Be
Helpful
to patrons and colleagues Be
Resourceful
in solving problems Be
Curious
in all aspects of your work Be
Welcoming
and
Inclusive Work Environment: Primarily office-based; requires occasional site visits across NYPL locations On-call availability for network incidents, including evenings and weekends Physical Duties:
The Associate Director, Network Engineering leads NYPL's network infrastructure strategy, operations, and team to ensure secure, reliable connectivity across all library locations. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for the architecture, deployment, performance, and security of NYPL's wired, wireless, cloud-based, and telecommunications networks. Supporting over 92 locations the role collaborates with IT, Capital Planning, and external partners to drive technology modernization while managing risk and maintaining operational excellence. The role also supports the architectural design and network strategy of community-based internet service projects that extend NYPL's reach beyond its physical branches. We are looking for someone we can count on to: Own strategic direction and daily operation of NYPL's enterprise network infrastructure Fortinet ecosystem including FortiGate firewalls, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiManager Cisco Networks switching and routing environment AWS networking infrastructure including routing and site-to-site VPN connectivity Telecommunications architecture and vendor relationships Network Engineering team performance, resource planning, and career development Development, reporting, and execution of KPIs, SLAs, and performance metrics Network security architecture and controls at Internet, datacenter, cloud, and access layers Management of E-Rate and data/telecommunications agreements. Teach: Mentor and develop engineering staff, fostering technical growth and leadership readiness Build organizational understanding of network services and infrastructure dependencies Drive collaborative awareness of network impact across capital projects and IT initiatives Learn: NYPL's unique operational and public service challenges across distributed sites Evolving best practices for hybrid network design in public and nonprofit sectors Tools and processes to improve security, monitoring, automation, and accountability Improve: Infrastructure resilience, uptime, and performance monitoring Cross-team collaboration, planning alignment, and incident response maturity Network team communication practices, leadership depth, and technical documentation Some expectations for this role are that within: 1 month, this person will: Build strong relationships with IT, Cybersecurity, and Capital Planning teams Begin assessing NYPL's network health, architecture, and documentation Familiarize with existing performance metrics, tools, and team capabilities Conduct hands-on validation of network and firewall configurations, VPN tunnels, and WAN circuit health 3 months, this person will: Develop a roadmap for future network upgrades, tooling improvements, and staffing Ensure core monitoring, ticketing, and configuration tools are optimized and operational Begin tracking and reporting service delivery metrics aligned to team goals Lead expert-level troubleshooting and resolution of high-complexity technical issues across network, cloud, and security systems 6 months and beyond, this person will: Demonstrate leadership in cross-functional planning and project execution Deliver measurable improvements in uptime, incident response, and team performance Lead and support strategic initiatives expanding NYPL's digital and physical network presence Lead detailed documentation refresh across network diagrams, runbooks, and failover procedures Responsibilities Core Responsibilities: Lead and participate in architecture, deployment, and administration of NYPL's enterprise network (Cisco routers/switches, Fortinet firewalls, Aerohive WiFi, AWS networking components) Manage connectivity across 94+ locations using dark fiber, MPLS, high-speed circuits, secure cloud connections, and telecom infrastructure Maintain network security through segmentation, firewall policies, VPNs, and NAC integration Own the Fortinet stack including FortiAnalyzer reporting and FortiManager configuration workflows Administer AWS networking, including VPC design, Direct Connect, security groups, route tables, and VPN management Lead technical planning and implementation for capital projects and new site builds Guide incident response efforts and serve as Tier-3 escalation point for network issues Define and report on network KPIs including uptime, latency, incident resolution time, and SLA adherence Lead vendor assessments, equipment evaluations, and procurement processes Provide network architecture and support for community-based internet service programs extending Library access beyond brick-and-mortar locations Track and manage all network circuits and connectivity services, including E-rate bidding, contract renewals, and spend management Collaboration & Communication: Partner with Capital Planning on infrastructure design and timing alignment Coordinate with Cybersecurity, IT, and Service Delivery teams to ensure end-to-end service health Clearly communicate risks, project status, and metrics to IT and Library leadership Lead cross-functional working groups on network-related change initiatives Work closely with Finance and IT Strategy to track circuit expenditures. Optimize utilization of Jira and Product Management principles to track and report on work. Required Education, Experience & Skills
Required Education & Certifications: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent professional experience CCNP or equivalent certification in routing, switching, or security Valid Drivers License Required Experience: Minimum 8 years of experience administering enterprise-scale network infrastructure across distributed environments Minimum 5 years of direct team management experience in complex organizational settings Experience with public sector, nonprofit, or mission-aligned organizations Proven experience managing telecom and ISP vendor relationships and infrastructure contracts Required Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences Strong leadership and people management skills; demonstrated ability to build and motivate high-performing teams Advanced troubleshooting skills and capacity to operate under pressure during critical incidents Hands-on expertise with firewalls and platforms (FortiGate, Cisco, etc.) Hands-on expertise of Cisco IOS, switching/routing protocols (BGP, EIGRP), VPN, ACLs, and LAN security Hands-on expertise managing enterprise WiFi solutions (Meraki, Extreme, etc.). Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid environments Familiarity with network performance and security monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Cacti, WhatsUp) Strong knowledge of telecom infrastructure and connectivity strategies for distributed sites Proven ability to define and measure performance metrics, KPIs, and service outcomes Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct management of a team with focus on developing both technical and soft skills. This position reports to the Senior Director, ITIO & Cybersecurity and coordinates executive communications through established IT leadership and communication channels. More...
Core Values: Be
Helpful
to patrons and colleagues Be
Resourceful
in solving problems Be
Curious
in all aspects of your work Be
Welcoming
and
Inclusive Work Environment: Primarily office-based; requires occasional site visits across NYPL locations On-call availability for network incidents, including evenings and weekends Physical Duties: