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Lead Network Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sakata Seed America, INC.

Network Engineer

Woodland, CA · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Position Summary The Network Engineer is responsible for managing and maintaining our enterprise ... Lead network-related projects from initiation to completion with minimal supervision. * Collaborate ...

OpenAI

Network Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$293K - $385K/yr

About the Team OpenAI's Network Engineering team within IT and Security advances the mission of ... Lead network changes, migrations, refreshes, site launches, and service improvements from design ...

Socket.dev

Senior Advisory Network Engineer

Ventura, CA · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

We are hiring an Senior Advisory Network Engineer to support one of our United States Navy ... Lead architectural design, configuration, and operational deployment of enterprise routing ...

Posted today

Accelint

Senior Network Engineer

San Diego, CA

$110K - $151K/yr

Lead network design process, manage existing networks. * Work in collaboration with the US Government network engineers, US Government Cyber/IA engineers, and other professionals in network setup and ...

SpaceX

Sr. Network Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts * Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to improve the Starshield network design * Assist in updating system configuration ...

SpaceX

Sr. Network Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts * Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to improve the Starshield network design * Assist in updating system configuration ...

Accelint

Senior Network Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

Lead network design process, manage existing networks. * Work in collaboration with the US Government network engineers, US Government Cyber/IA engineers, and other professionals in network setup and ...

SpaceX

Sr. Network Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

Lead network integration and troubleshooting efforts * Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineers to improve the Starshield network design * Assist in updating system configuration ...

Gimlet Labs

Network Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Lead network provisioning, device configuration, connectivity validation, deployment testing, and ... Work well across engineering, infrastructure, deployment, and operations teams. * Take ownership ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsLead Network Engineer JobsLead Network Engineer Jobs in California

Lead Network Engineer information

See California salary details

$44.9K

$118.1K

$164.3K

How much do lead network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead network engineer in California is $118,094.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,200.00 and $138,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead network engineer?

A Lead Network Engineer is a senior-level IT professional responsible for designing, implementing, and managing complex computer networks within an organization. They oversee network infrastructure, troubleshoot high-level issues, and often lead a team of network engineers or administrators. Their duties also include ensuring network security, optimizing performance, and planning for future network growth. Lead Network Engineers play a key role in maintaining reliable and secure connectivity for businesses. They typically collaborate with other IT staff and management to align network solutions with organizational goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead network engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Network Engineer, you need deep expertise in network design, troubleshooting, and security, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field and relevant certifications like CCNP or CCIE. Familiarity with tools such as Cisco IOS, network monitoring systems (e.g., SolarWinds), and virtualization platforms is crucial. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you manage teams and coordinate complex projects effectively. These skills and qualities ensure reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructure, which is vital for organizational operations.

How does a lead network engineer typically collaborate with other IT teams during large-scale network projects?

A Lead Network Engineer often acts as a bridge between network engineering and other IT teams, such as security, systems administration, and application development. During large-scale network projects, you will regularly coordinate with these groups to align technical requirements, resolve dependencies, and ensure seamless integration. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as you may lead meetings, delegate tasks, and provide guidance to both network engineers and cross-functional team members. This collaborative environment fosters innovation, reduces downtime, and ensures the network infrastructure supports overall business objectives.

What is the difference between Lead Network Engineer vs Network Administrator?

AspectLead Network EngineerNetwork Administrator
CertificationsCCNP, CCIE, Cisco certificationsCompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA
Work EnvironmentDesign, implement, and oversee network infrastructureMaintain and support existing networks
ResponsibilitiesLead network projects, troubleshoot complex issues, plan network upgradesConfigure devices, monitor network performance, perform routine maintenance

The Lead Network Engineer typically has advanced certifications and focuses on designing and leading network projects, while the Network Administrator manages daily network operations and maintenance. Both roles require networking knowledge but differ in scope and seniority.

What are popular job titles related to Lead Network Engineer jobs in California?

For Lead Network Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lead Network Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Network Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Lead Network Engineer jobs in CA?

For Lead Network Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Lead Network Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Network Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,094 per year, or $56.8 per hour.

Manager/Tech Lead, Network Engineering

Stellar IT Solutions

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$120K - $166K/yr

Other

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Network Engineering Tech Lead

Contract / CTH

On-site Sunnyvale, CA

About this role:

We are seeking a hands-on Network Engineering Technical Lead to take end-to-end ownership of our global corporate network and network security posture. This role requires a CCIE-certified professional with proven expertise in both wired (LAN/WAN) and wireless (Wi-Fi) enterprise networks. The successful candidate will lead architecture, operations, and modernization initiatives, ensuring secure, resilient, and scalable connectivity across multiple sites and cloud environments.

Key Responsibilities

  • Global Network Architecture & Operations

    • Design, implement, and maintain enterprise LAN, WAN, and Wi-Fi standards.

    • Oversee dual-ISP redundancy, failover, and site connectivity.

    • Manage firewall estates (Palo Alto, Cisco ASA/Meraki) and Infoblox DDI (DNS, DHCP, IPAM).

  • Zero Trust & Secure Remote Access

    • Lead migration to SASE/ZTNA architectures (Zscaler, Prisma Access, or equivalent).

    • Implement Zero Trust access models, app segmentation, and least-privilege policies.

    • Decommission legacy VPNs and enable secure remote access solutions.

  • Site & Inter-Office Connectivity

    • Architect secure, performant connectivity between offices, data centers, and cloud environments.

    • Develop repeatable playbooks for rapid office setup and expansion.

  • Leadership & Roadmap

    • Serve as the technical authority and escalation point for all network-related matters.

    • Partner with IT and Security leadership to define the multi-year network roadmap.

    • Manage vendor relationships, licensing, renewals, and escalations.

    • Establish monitoring, alerting, and documentation standards for operational transparency.


Required Qualifications

  • CCIE Certification (mandatory) - Routing & Switching, Enterprise Infrastructure, or Security.

  • 8+ years in network engineering/architecture roles with multi-site enterprise experience.

  • Hands-on expertise with Palo Alto firewalls, Cisco Meraki switching/wireless, Infoblox DDI.

  • Experience designing or migrating to SASE/ZTNA architectures (Zscaler strongly preferred).

  • Strong grasp of routing/switching, VLANs, SD-WAN, DNS/DHCP, NAT, 802.1X/NAC.

  • Proven ability to standardize and automate operations across growing infrastructure.

  • Experience governing mobile/BYOD access (NAC, MDM integration).

  • Comfort operating strategically (roadmap, vendor strategy, budget) while remaining hands-on.


Preferred Skills

  • Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform).

  • Familiarity with automation tools (Python, Ansible, Terraform).

  • Exposure to DevOps environments and CI/CD pipelines for network automation.

  • Strong documentation and communication skills for executive and technical audiences.


Apply