Principal Cloud Network Engineer

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We're seeking a Principal Cloud Network Engineer to lead our GCP networking strategy and own the full lifecycle — from business requirements and architectural vision through design, implementation, and operational excellence. You'll be the technical authority for our networking pod, translating business and product needs into scalable, secure network architecture. You'll work at the strategic level to define multi-year infrastructure roadmaps while remaining hands-on with design and implementation decisions.

What You'll Do

• Own end-to-end network architecture strategy: gather requirements from product, engineering, and operations teams, then translate them into comprehensive GCP networking designs

• Lead architectural decisions across VPC topology, Cloud Interconnect, load balancing, and service mesh strategy — balancing performance, security, cost, and operational complexity

• Design and implement Infrastructure as Code frameworks using Terraform that scale across multiple GCP projects and regions, setting standards for the entire infrastructure organization

• Mentor and guide the networking pod through complex design challenges, code reviews, and architectural decisions

• Partner with security and compliance teams to evolve network security and compliance as business requirements change

• Drive observability strategy — define what gets monitored, build dashboards and alerting frameworks, and establish SLOs for network reliability

• Make trade-off decisions between architectural purity and operational pragmatism; communicate those trade-offs to leadership

• Use AI-driven tools to accelerate design iteration, code generation, and problem analysis — staying ahead of how AI can improve engineering velocity

• Lead incident response for critical network outages; drive systemic improvements from post-mortems

• Define hiring, onboarding, and technical growth paths for the networking team

What We're Looking For

• 8+ years in cloud or network engineering, with at least 4 years at a principal or staff-equivalent level owning networking strategy at scale

• Expert-level mastery of GCP networking: VPC architecture, Cloud Interconnect, Cloud VPN, Cloud Load Balancing, Cloud Router, service mesh design

• Deep understanding of networking fundamentals: BGP, OSPF, TCP/IP, DNS, routing protocols, and how they interact in cloud environments

• Proven ability to translate business requirements into technical architecture — you think in terms of outcomes, not just tools

• Strong systems thinking: you understand how networking decisions cascade across security, cost, reliability, and developer experience

• Demonstrated mentorship and leadership experience; you've grown junior engineers into senior contributors

• Comfortable with ambiguity and long-term vision: you can define strategy when requirements are evolving

• Proficiency with Terraform at scale; experience building reusable, well-documented infrastructure modules

• Hands-on technical skills remain sharp: you write code, design systems, and debug issues yourself

Success Looks Like

• You've reduced operational toil through automation and clear runbooks

• Teams across the organization understand networking trade-offs and can make informed decisions

• Your architecture decisions are still sound 2 to 3 years later, even as business needs evolve

• Junior engineers on your team are growing into senior roles

• You've influenced company-wide standards for security, observability, and cost management

The material job duties and responsibilities of this role include those listed above as well as adhering to Yahoo policies; exercising sound judgment; working effectively, safely and inclusively with others; exhibiting trustworthiness and meeting expectations; and safeguarding business operations and brand integrity.

At Yahoo, we offer flexible hybrid work options that our employees love! While most roles don’t require regular office attendance, you may occasionally be asked to attend in-person events or team sessions. You’ll always get notice to make arrangements. Your recruiter will let you know if a specific job requires regular attendance at a Yahoo office or facility. If you have any questions about how this applies to the role, just ask the recruiter!

Yahoo is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected category. Yahoo will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. Yahoo is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you need accessibility assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please submit a request via the Accommodation Request Form (www.yahooinc.com/careers/contact-us.html) or call +1.866.772.3182. Requests and calls received for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace strengthens Yahoo and deepens our relationships. When you support everyone to be their best selves, they spark discovery, innovation and creativity. Among other efforts, our 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) enhance a culture of belonging with programs, events and fellowship that help educate, support and create a workplace where all feel welcome.

The compensation for this position ranges from $120,750.00 - $251,250.00/yr and will vary depending on factors such as your location, skills and experience.The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus or commissions. Our comprehensive benefits include healthcare, a great 401k, backup childcare, education stipends and much (much) more.

Currently work for Yahoo? Please apply on our internal career site.