At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of cutting-edge network engineering solutions.
- Company: Join a pioneering company transforming Africa's internet landscape.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and private health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with significant growth opportunities and a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of connectivity and work with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in network engineering and deep technical expertise.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The global marketplace for bandwidth. Share aggregates telco infrastructure into a single intelligence layer, giving ISPs, hyperscalers, and AI companies a seamless path to deliver connectivity into every home and business. We're hiring a VP of Network Engineering to lead the function that makes this real. This is the senior‑most networking role at Share, reporting directly to the founders. You will own the entire technical estate (backbone, aggregation, access, peering, the systems they depend on, and the partner integrations they touch) and the team that builds and runs it. This is a role for someone who wants to create, not just operate.
WHAT YOU'LL OWN
- The network as a system: Design the protocols, standards, and reference architectures that the rest of the ecosystem inherits from us.
- The routing and peering core: Own the strategy for our BGP edge, IP transit, and public and private peering.
- Aggregation, access, and the services plane: Own the disaggregated, white‑box switching strategy and direct L2/L3 aggregation.
- The team: Hire, develop, and lead the network engineering team, setting the bar, culture, and bench.
- Partner ISPs: Lead the technical relationship with our partner ISPs, translating needs and commitments.
- Uptime and the broader platform: Own PoP and backbone reliability end‑to‑end, informing product decisions and capital allocation.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We care much more about depth, judgment, and ownership than about org‑chart titles on a résumé. The right person is a builder who happens to have grown into leadership, not an executive who has drifted away from the work.
- Must‑have: Senior leadership experience inside an ISP, carrier, or comparable network operator.
- Deep BGP knowledge and MPLS in production at scale.
- Real operational experience with passive optical access.
- Comfortable in disaggregated, white‑box environments.
- Hands‑on with MikroTik and Huawei.
- Fluent in L2/L3 fundamentals and troubleshooting.
- Partner‑ and customer‑facing maturity.
- A bias for execution.
- Based in Kenya, or ready to relocate.
NICE-TO-HAVE
- Experience running or contributing to SONiC, FRR, or other open‑source networking stacks.
- Automation skills, especially against NETCONF/gNMI.
- IPv6 planning and dual‑stack rollout experience.
- Internet Exchange operations experience.
- Exposure to applying ML or AI in network operations.
- Any PtP/PtMP wireless background is a plus.
- Prior experience as a founding or early‑stage network leader.
WHAT WE OFFER
- The senior networking seat at the table while we build the technical backbone of Africa's next‑generation internet.
- Real ownership of strategy, architecture, and execution.
- Executive‑level compensation: competitive salary and meaningful equity.
- Private health and wellness benefits.
- A high‑ownership environment with a steep but well‑supported learning curve.
VP of Network Engineering employer: Share
At Share, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering the unique opportunity to lead the technical evolution of Africa's internet infrastructure as our VP of Network Engineering. Our culture fosters innovation and collaboration, empowering you to shape industry standards while working closely with a talented team in a high-ownership environment. With competitive compensation, private health benefits, and a commitment to employee growth, you'll find meaningful and rewarding work that directly impacts connectivity across the continent.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP of Network Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, meetups, and conferences where you can connect with folks in the networking space. Don't be shy—introduce yourself and chat about your passion for network engineering. You never know who might have a lead on that VP role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal project that highlights your expertise in network engineering. Whether it's a blog post about BGP strategies or a GitHub repo showcasing your automation scripts, let your work speak for itself. This will make you stand out when you apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its partners, and be ready to discuss how you can help them achieve their goals. Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around AI in network operations, as this is a hot topic right now. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the position. And remember, applying through our website gives you a direct line to us!
We think you need these skills to ace VP of Network Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of VP of Network Engineering. Highlight your experience with network architecture, BGP, and any hands-on technical skills that align with what we're looking for. We want to see how your background fits into our vision!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about building networks and how your leadership style can drive our team forward. Be genuine and let your personality come through; we love seeing the real you!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate in network engineering. Numbers speak volumes, so if you've improved uptime or reduced costs, make sure to include those stats!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at Share!
How to prepare for a job interview at Share
✨Know Your Network Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re up to speed with the latest in network engineering, especially BGP and MPLS. Brush up on your hands-on experience with MikroTik and Huawei, as you'll need to demonstrate your fluency in these systems during discussions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your approach to building and leading a network engineering team. Share specific examples of how you've set technical direction and fostered a culture of operational discipline. Highlight your experience in hiring and developing talent, as this role is all about leadership.
✨Prepare for Technical Deep Dives
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions, so be ready to explain complex concepts like traffic engineering and anomaly detection. Use real-world scenarios from your past experiences to illustrate your problem-solving skills and technical judgement.
✨Understand Partner Dynamics
Since this role involves significant interaction with partner ISPs, think about how you can translate technical needs into actionable changes for their networks. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully navigated similar relationships in the past and how you can build credibility with partners.
