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Control Plane Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

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Control Plane information

What is a control plane?

A Control Plane in computing refers to the part of a network or system that manages and controls how data is routed and handled, as opposed to actually moving the data itself (which is done by the data plane). The control plane is responsible for tasks such as network topology management, routing decisions, and policy enforcement. In cloud computing and Kubernetes, the control plane manages the overall system state, scheduling, and coordination of resources. It ensures that the system operates efficiently and according to the defined rules and policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a control plane engineer?

To thrive as a Control Plane Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking protocols, distributed systems, and a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Experience with tools like Kubernetes, Docker, cloud platforms, and proficiency in languages such as Go or Python is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate across teams and address complex system challenges. These skills ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of critical infrastructure in modern cloud environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working on the control plane in cloud infrastructure teams?

One of the main challenges for professionals working on the Control Plane is ensuring high availability and scalability while maintaining security and efficient resource management. The role often requires balancing complex system orchestration with rapid deployment cycles, which can introduce risks of misconfiguration or downtime. Additionally, professionals must regularly collaborate with development, operations, and security teams to implement updates and troubleshoot issues, making strong communication skills essential. Staying current with evolving cloud technologies and best practices is also key to success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Control Plane vs Network Engineer?

AspectControl PlaneNetwork Engineer
Required CredentialsNetworking certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP), knowledge of network protocolsNetworking certifications, routing and switching expertise
Work EnvironmentData centers, cloud environments, network infrastructureCorporate offices, data centers, service providers
Employer & Industry UsageCloud providers, telecom companies, large enterprisesIT departments, internet service providers, tech firms
Common Search & ComparisonControl Plane vs Network Engineer

The Control Plane focuses on managing and directing network traffic within infrastructure, often involving configuration and orchestration of network devices. Network Engineers design, implement, and troubleshoot network systems. While both roles require networking knowledge and certifications, Control Plane specialists typically work on the control functions of network devices, whereas Network Engineers handle broader network design and maintenance.

What are popular job titles related to Control Plane jobs in Washington, DC?

For Control Plane jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Control Plane jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Control Plane jobs in Washington, DC are:

Control Plane jobs near you
Infographic showing various Control Plane job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Senior Manager, System Operations Software

Telesat

Bethesda, MD • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

The Senior Manager, System Operations Software is responsible for leading the strategy, development, delivery, and continuous evolution of software platforms supporting the Control Plane, Management Plane, and Operational Data Platform (ODP) domains. The role provides leadership to  architects, technical leads, and software development teams while driving engineering excellence and AI-enabled software development practices across SysOps.
This position requires developing and continuously improving software products, development processes, delivery processes, and engineering strategy. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams responsible for delivering scalable, secure, and operationally effective software solutions while ensuring alignment with business objectives, architecture roadmaps, and operational requirements.
The role is expected to play a key leadership role in advancing SysOps' transition toward AI-driven software development, modern engineering practices, and highly automated operational platforms.
 
Resource is expected to work onsite five days weekly.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead, mentor, and develop technical leads, architects, and software engineering teams.
    Build and maintain a high-performing engineering organization focused on innovation, accountability, quality, and execution.
  • Drive organizational effectiveness, talent development, succession planning, and workforce growth.
  • Foster collaboration across engineering, operations, architecture, and product management teams.
  • Define and execute software development and delivery strategies for Control Plane, Management Plane, and ODP initiatives.
  • Drive the continuous improvement of software development processes, engineering practices, and delivery methodologies.
  • Ensure product roadmaps, priorities, and release plans align with organizational objectives.
    Establish effective governance for feature development, architecture reviews, code quality, testing, and release management.
  • Provide strategic direction for the evolution of Control Plane, Management Plane, and ODP platforms.
  • Ensure software solutions are scalable, secure, maintainable, and aligned with long-term architecture objectives.
  • Partner with architects and technical leaders to define technology roadmaps and investment priorities.
  • Guide technical decision-making across multiple programs and delivery teams.
  • Drive adoption of AI-enabled software development practices throughout the organization.
    Establish standards, processes, and governance for AI-assisted development.
  • Leverage AI technologies to improve software quality, engineering productivity, automation, testing, documentation, and operational efficiency.
  • Champion continuous modernization of software engineering practices and toolchains.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership, product owners, architects, operations teams, and external partners.
  • Communicate technical strategy, program status, risks, and recommendations to leadership.
  • Support planning activities, resource allocation, risk management, and strategic decision-making.
Required Qualifications
  • BS/MS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 15+ years of experience in software development, systems engineering, network management systems, or large-scale software platforms.
  • Minimum 10 years of leadership experience managing cross-functional engineering organizations and managing multiple teams in matrixed environments.
  • Demonstrated experience leading software development and delivery programs.
  • Strong understanding of distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, APIs, data platforms, and enterprise software
  • development.
  • Experience with Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and modern software engineering practices.
  • Proven ability to lead organizational transformation and complex technical initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with AI-assisted software development and AI-enabled engineering practices.
  • Strong understanding of OSS/NMS, Management Plane, Control Plane, and Operational Data Platform architectures.
  • Experience with telecommunications, satellite communications, network management systems, or large-scale operations software environments.
  • Experience with cloud-native technologies, Kubernetes, microservices, and distributed software platforms.
  • Demonstrated experience driving engineering modernization and AI transformation initiatives.
This role is instrumental in advancing the organization's software strategy across the Control Plane, Management Plane, and Operational Data Platform domains. The Senior Manager will lead the transformation toward AI-enabled software development, improve engineering effectiveness, and ensure delivery of scalable, operationally focused software platforms that support the long-term evolution of SysOps capabilities.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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