Manager, Network Applications Engineering

Location: Naperville, IL

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.

With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role

• Reporting to
• SVP, Global Head Network Architecture, Engineering, and Operations
• Description of Role and Key Responsibilities

The Role

The Manager of Network Applications Engineering is a senior technology leader responsible for the strategy, architecture, engineering, and transformation of enterprise network application services across on-premises, cloud, and data center environments.

This role leads a global team of engineers responsible for critical services including application delivery, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, load balancing, secure access, and network security platforms. The Manager drives technology roadmaps, engineering standards, automation initiatives, and modernization efforts to improve scalability, reliability, security, and operational efficiency.

Working closely with infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, and business stakeholders, the Manager ensures network services align with organizational objectives and evolving business needs. The role also provides leadership during complex incidents and supports the continuous improvement of mission-critical services.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of leading high-performing engineering teams in mission-critical environments, delivering large-scale technology transformations, and fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities

The Manager’s primary areas of responsibility include ensuring defined standards are in place, managing the technical lifecycle of products and services, and delivering change and transformation against approved designs, while ensuring a smooth transition and handover to Network Operations.

Responsible for defining and documenting Network Engineering Standards.

Responsible for the creation of Low-Level Design documents to meet requirements outlined in the High-Level Design.

Responsible for budgeting and procurement activities relating to the build and delivery of new services and projects.

Responsible for ensuring a smooth transition/handover to Operations in line with the agreed Operational Acceptance Process.

Responsible for managing Technical Lifecycle Management for all Network & Communications services.

Responsible for supporting Architecture in the creation and upkeep of a Delivery Roadmap for Network Engineering.

Responsible for supporting Architecture in scoping activities required to produce the High-Level Design.

Responsible for supporting Architecture in undertaking Proof of Concept activities.

Responsible for ensuring skillsets remain relevant and up to date to deliver change and provide a high level of support.

Responsible for providing escalation support to Operations for complex troubleshooting of Major Incidents as required.

Provide on-call escalation support on a rota basis and work extended hours as required.

Responsible for creating performance reports and liaising between technical teams and senior management.

Responsible for audit and compliance reporting and evidence support.

Core Skills & Experience

• 8–10 years’ experience in network engineering solutions within a global enterprise-scale organization (5,000–50,000 users), covering both traditional data centers and cloud environments.
• At least 5 years’ experience leading/managing teams.
• Considerable hands-on experience in design engineering and building resilient and scalable security solutions, ideally within financial services or investment banking.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, global financial services business models, regional compliance standards, relevant local regulations, and applicable laws.
• Understanding of risk and compliance concepts and the ability to translate them into effective security solutions.
• Experience with automation and orchestration, including scripting against APIs.
• Strong understanding of Layer 2, Layer 3, and Layer 4–7 network and security technologies.
• Familiarity with testing tools, networking technologies, and techniques used to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical problems involving services, applications, and network hardware/software.
• Background in automation of monitoring, observability, health checks, and change management.
• Understanding of the future impact and potential applications of Quantum technologies and AI within network infrastructure.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Expert knowledge and experience in several of the following areas:
• NGFW platforms and management tools such as Tufin
• Network Access Control in enterprise environments
• Secure Web Gateway technologies
• Zero-Trust Network Access and SASE

Application Delivery & Load Balancers

Public and private cloud security tools and services

Workflow automation

Cisco/Arista Routing & Switching

• DNS, IPAM, and DHCP
• ServiceNow integrations
• SD-WAN solutions
• Network monitoring and reporting tools
• AWS/Azure cloud networking
• AI enablement

Desirable Technology Experience

Check Point, Fortinet, Palo Alto

Tufin

Forescout, Cisco ISE

F5

Infoblox

Microsoft Active Directory, CyberArk

Illumio

Zscaler (ZIA, ZPA, ZDX)

Technical Certifications

• Candidates should have the following certifications or demonstrable equivalent working experience:
• ITIL v3 Foundation or higher
• Relevant vendor certifications

AWS Cloud

Azure Cloud

Personal Attributes

• Highly organized with a proven ability to operate effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong problem-management and customer-service skills.
• Positive attitude with the ability to remain composed under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively with global teams to deliver projects, often at pace and under challenging circumstances.
• Ability to interact with senior management and clearly present status updates and next steps.
• Maintains high professional standards, challenges the status quo, and continually seeks better ways of working.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Discourages a “hero culture” and promotes a team-first environment while ensuring staff welfare.
• Acts with integrity and embraces the philosophy of treating customers fairly.
• Works effectively as one IT community across regions and the business.
• Embraces the philosophy and principles of Group IT.
• Understands and applies Northern Trust’s working practices, policies, and procedures.

Salary Range

$114,500 - 194,700 USD

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [email protected], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

Additional Locations: Chicago, IL